The expert input was that it was not yet time for Waterford people to resume glassmaking, but there was discussion with an American investor seeking a glass factory location in Ireland.

Meantime, in 1938 Fitzpatrick approached a Czech friend and supplier, Karel (Charles) Bacik,[a] who had four glass factories, about setting up in Waterford.

Bacik expressed interest but could not move to Ireland due to have commitments to a young family, and further discussions were delayed by World War II.

Fitzpatrick agreed a location at Ballytruckle, by Waterford's greyhound track and a soccer ground, with the City Manager and shared the plans with the Department of Industry and Commerce.

[5] Skilled crystal workers were not available in Ireland, so continental Europeans were engaged, starting in June 1947 with Bacik's fellow countryman and former intern,[5] the designer Miroslav Havel.

[6] A glass-cutting machine began operation for apprentice work in August 1947, but progress was limited by an explosion, and initial production was only of "soda glass".

The endeavour evolved into four unique lines for Waterford, and a complementary tableware collection in fine bone china for Wedgwood in 2001.

[10] On 30 January 2009, it was announced that the Waterford Crystal plant in Kilbarry was to shut down immediately, despite earlier promises to discuss any such move with the unions in advance.

The Kilbarry operation featured a tourist centre offering guided tours of the factory, a gift shop, café, and gallery.

On 27 February 2009, the receiver, David Carson of Deloitte, confirmed that US equity firm KPS Capital Partners was to purchase certain overseas assets and businesses of the Waterford Wedgwood Group.

[16] Under the receivership managed by Deloitte, ownership of most of Waterford Wedgwood plc's assets was transferred to KPS Capital Partners in March 2009.

[19] On 11 May 2015, in a deal that closed in July 2015,[1] Fiskars Corporation, a Finnish maker of home products, agreed to buy 100% of the holdings of WWRD.

Waterford produces many patterns of lead and non-lead crystal stemware, including lines such as Adare, Alana, Colleen, Kincora, Lismore, Maeve, Tramore, and many others.