PHOTOGRAPHS BY THE URBAN CARTOGRAPHER
It is now August 2025 and I have booked a room for a week at the Granville Hotel having been unable to visit since March 2023.
I have stayed at a number of hotels in Waterford starting with the Waterford Marina Hotel but after a number of visits I decided to use the Fitzwilton instead but never developed any real liking for either but I could not afford the alternatives. The was nothing wrong with the hotels but I found them to be somewhat “unattractive”.
In 2023 I had no option but to stay at the Fitzwilton and I had booked this Hotel again for my planned May 2025 visit but I managed to get a much better price and an extra day at the Granville Hotel in August to coincide with the 2025 Water Walls programme. However, there could be a noise issue as there are ongoing roadworks (bridge construction) in front of the hotel but I have been advised that it is only during daylight hours.
When I visited Waterford in 2021 my activities were very much restricted because of Covid-19 restrictions and my choice of accommodation was also very limited. I had a room at Portree House which was rated as a two star hotel but it was/is an unusual place that is difficult to describe but I will discuss it below.
Waterford Walls was why I visited Waterford, at least it was my main reason. However I was unable to locate some of the more recent art work so I came home a bit disappointed. According to some accounts the Waterford Walls International Street Art Festival did not take place in 2021. Instead, the festival was held in Dún Laoghaire, under the name Dún Laoghaire Anseo, from August 3rd to 12th, 2022″. However according the the organiser’s website: “This festival was a little different to previous years due to Covid. Luckily, we were fortunate enough to spread out our festival dates and over 15 national and international artists painted at Waterford Walls 2021.”
Prior to its more recent operational shift, the Portree in Waterford functioned as a hybrid accommodation. It was variously identified as “Portree House hostel,” “Portree Guesthouse,” or “Portree Hostel – Ireland”. This nomenclature confirms its character as a blend between a guesthouse and a hostel, catering to both traditional “BnB” guests and backpackers.
The property, originally built in 1977 and last renovated in 2012 , comprised 22 to 23 rooms, indicating individual room offerings rather than large dormitory-style accommodations. This structure supports common visitor descriptions of “individual rooms” within a guesthouse/hostel framework. Before its conversion, the Portree was often considered an affordable accommodation option for backpackers. Reviews, while potentially reflecting an earlier period, often highlighted its favourable location, friendly staff, and value for money. Amenities included free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and a shared kitchen, further supporting its guesthouse/hostel operational model.
Geographically, the Portree is situated at 10-11 Mary Street, Waterford. Its central location placed it conveniently close to the railway and bus stations, and within a 10-minute walk of prominent city attractions such as the Viking Triangle and the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre. The consistent references to the property as a “hostel,” “guesthouse,” or “B&B” across multiple sources, combined with details about its room count and amenities, strongly corroborate the common perception of the Portree’s operational model and character prior to its conversion. This alignment validates my initial experience and provides a foundational understanding for the subsequent changes that led to its current status.
The Transition: From Public Accommodation to IPAS Centre
The Portree in Waterford is no longer available for public bookings because it has undergone a significant transformation, converting into an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre. This change is confirmed by multiple sources. A Reddit comment from nine months prior explicitly stated, “It is a refugee centre. Ipas centre now”. This information is further corroborated by a news report from WLRFM.com dated December 14, 2022, which detailed that the “Portree Guesthouse to house those seeking international protection” and was “being converted into a refugee centre on an initial 12-month contract”.
The news report indicated an initial capacity to accommodate 63 international protection applicants, with potential for over 100 once conversion works were fully completed. This repurposing of the property, which originally had 22 to 23 bedrooms , directly explains the complete absence of public room availability. Furthermore, the Department of Justice’s International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) website lists “Portree House” in Waterford among its inspection reports for 2024, confirming its continued and active use as an IPAS centre.
The current unavailability of rooms is a direct consequence of this conversion. The entire property is now under contract with the Irish government’s IPAS. This means that all rooms are allocated for the accommodation of international protection applicants and are not accessible for general tourist bookings. While one older source from bandbs.ie suggests the “Portree Hostel recently re-opened under new management and provides a fun and friendly place” , this information appears to be outdated or refers to a very brief period of public operation. Given the overwhelming and more recent evidence from a public forum , a local news outlet , and official government records explicitly confirming its conversion and ongoing operation as an IPAS centre since late 2022, the current status is unequivocally that of an IPAS facility. The reason the user has been unable to find rooms is not a typical commercial “block booking” by a private entity, but rather a comprehensive contractual agreement with the Irish government for humanitarian accommodation, fundamentally altering the property’s operational model.
The Granville Hotel is a historic four-star, family-run hotel located on Meagher Quay in the heart of Waterford City, Ireland. Overlooking the River Suir, the hotel dates back to the early 1700s and has played a significant role in the city’s history, having hosted notable figures such as Daniel O’Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, and Lord Frederick Roberts. It is also the birthplace of Thomas Francis Meagher, a key figure in Irish and American history and the designer of the Irish National Tricolour.
History and Features
Originally built by the Newport family, the hotel was later purchased by Thomas Meagher, a prominent merchant. His son, Thomas Francis Meagher, was born there in 1823. Meagher went on to become a leader in the Young Ireland Movement, designed the Irish flag, was transported to Tasmania, escaped to New York, and became a Brigadier General in the American Civil War, and later acting governor of Montana. The hotel honors this legacy with the Thomas Francis Meagher Bar.
The Granville was also the headquarters for Charles Bianconi’s stagecoach service, the first public transport system in Ireland, which is commemorated by the Bianconi Restaurant. The hotel was purchased and restored by Liam and Ann Cusack in 1979, and is now run by the second generation of the family. The hotel’s decor combines modern comforts with “olde worlde” charm, featuring stained glass, tapestries, and wood paneling.
Accommodations and Amenities
The Granville Hotel offers 100 individually decorated rooms, including standard double, king, and twin rooms, as well as honeymoon suites. All rooms include private bathrooms with baths and showers, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, a work desk, and tea and coffee facilities. Some rooms also offer air conditioning and balconies.
Amenities at the hotel include a 24-hour reception, luggage storage, laundry and dry cleaning services, a business center, and meeting/banquet facilities. The hotel also offers complimentary overnight car parking for guests who book directly, though public parking is also available nearby for a fee.
Dining
The hotel has two primary dining options:
The Bianconi Restaurant: Named after Charles Bianconi, this award-winning restaurant specializes in seasonal dishes using local produce. It serves breakfast, dinner, and a popular Sunday lunch. The Granville’s breakfast is particularly acclaimed, featuring local items like Flahavan’s porridge and Waterford’s protected “Blaa” bread rolls. The restaurant also serves afternoon tea on Saturdays.
The Thomas Francis Meagher Bar: This cozy and intimate space offers a more casual dining experience with a daily carvery and a bar menu. It is known for its extensive drinks selection, including a “Whiskey Wall” with over 50 Irish whiskeys and a selection of craft gins and cocktails. The bar also features live music on some nights.
The hotel is committed to showcasing local food and drink, collaborating with producers like Walsh’s Bakehouse, Metalman Brewery, and Flahavans.
Location
The Granville Hotel is centrally located on the quay, making it an excellent base for exploring Waterford. It is within a short walking distance of the city’s main shopping district and historical sites, including the Viking Triangle, the House of Waterford Crystal, and Reginald’s Tower. The start of the Waterford Greenway, a popular cycling and walking trail, is also just a 10-minute walk away. The hotel is easily accessible by public transport, with the bus station just a two-minute walk away and the train station within a ten-minute walk.