FORM 6-K
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                        Report of Foreign Private Issuer


                       Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934




                         For the month of January 2005

                             Commission File Number

                             WATERFORD WEDGWOOD PLC
                 (Translation of registrant's name into English)

                      1/2 UPPER HATCH ST, DUBLIN 2, IRELAND
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

                         Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F.....

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                               Yes ..... No ..X...

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________




10 January, 2005


            WATERFORD WEDGWOOD PLC ("Waterford Wedgwood" or "the Company")

                                 TRADING UPDATE

Waterford Wedgwood announces that, on a like-for-like basis (at constant
exchange rates), sales during December 2004 were 2% up on the same month of the
previous year. This continues the improvement, which we reported at last month's
extraordinary general meeting, which showed sales in November 2004 increased by
3% over the same month of the previous year on a like-for-like basis.

This update is issued in the context of today's extraordinary general meeting of
the company which is to consider the proposed takeover of Royal Doulton plc.

ends

Enquiries:

Waterford Wedgwood                                         +353 1 4781 855
Redmond O'Donoghue, Group Chief Executive Officer
Peter Cameron, Group Chief Operating Officer
Paul D'Alton, Group Chief Financial Officer

Powerscourt (UK/International media)                       +44 207 236 5615
Rory Godson                                                +44 7909 926 020

Dennehy Associates (Ireland)                               +353 1 676 4733
Michael Dennehy                                            +353 87 2556923

College Hill (Analysts)                                    +44 207 457 2020
Kate Pope                                                  +44 7798 843276
Mark Garraway                                              +44 7771 860938


                                   Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



                                                      Waterford Wedgwood PLC
                                                           (Registrant)



                                                       By: Patrick Dowling
                                                         (Signature)*



Date:10 January 2005