The South East region consists of Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, South Tipperary and Carlow with a catchment area of 460,000 people.

Waterford City is the main population base in the South East Region and is a designated gateway location for economic development under the National Spatial Strategy for Ireland. The city is strategically located on the North-South Corridor Euroroute 30, with Dublin, Cork and Limerick / Shannon within a 2.5 hour drive. The city is on the national rail route with direct daily services to and from Dublin.

Waterford Airport is a key element of the transport infrastructure in the region. New road infrastructure coming online over the next two years will ‘open up’ the entire region with a second bridge crossing avoiding the need to travel through Waterford City and the realignment of the final stretch of road to the airport getting underway over the next few months. Sea access to Waterford and the South East is provided through the deep-water port at Belview (4 miles from Waterford) and the ferry services to the UK & France through Rosslare Europort.

Companies operating in Waterford and the region include:

Pharmaceutical and Medical Technologies is the largest sector through companies such as GlaxoSmithkline, Genzyme, Merck Sharp & Dohme and Guidant. Engineering is the second largest sector with 25% of the employment in companies such as Honeywell, Braun and ABS Pumps.

Third Level education in the South East Region is well represented with Waterford Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Carlow, Carlow College and Tipperary Institute in Clonmel providing excellent under and post-graduate programmes. Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) is one of the largest Institutes of Technology and leading higher education providers in Ireland with over 10,000 students. WIT provides a comprehensive portfolio of higher education programmes ranging from certificate, diploma, degree and doctorate level on both a full-time and part-time basis through its five schools – Accounting & Business, Engineering, Humanities, Science & Research & Innovation. WIT is currently engaged in a process expected to result in university status. Each of the third level Institutes within the region have developed strong links with industry and have significant research capabilities.

Known as the “sunny” South East, the region attracts many visitors with attractions such as the world famous Waterford Crystal Visitors Centre, Kilkenny Castle, The Rock of Cashel, the Irish National Heritage Park, the Dunbrody Famine Ship, Waterford Treasures Museum and many of the country’s manor houses and gardens. The quality of life in Waterford City and its environs is exceptional, whether one is into sailing, mountain walks, or any number of other sports. A natural playground for golf enthusiasts, Waterford offers the perfect sporting experience with quality hotel and conference facilities at Waterford Castle, Faithlegg & Mount Juliet Conrad.

Visit related sites:

• IDA Website
• Fás Website
• Invest in Waterford website
• Waterford Chamber Website