Waterford is part of Ireland’s Ancient East. It is situated in the South East and is Ireland’s oldest city. Filled with historic sites and lush green river valleys, stunning coastline and a vibrant city, County Waterford has endless options of things to see and do. There’s lots of accommodation choices including hotels, self-catering and B&B’s. There is a myriad of attractions, festivals, interesting places to visit, great restaurants, shopping and night life.
Dunmore East
Dunmore East is a picturesque little fishing village in the east of County Waterford. The village is perched on the edge of a cliff and overlooks sandy coves and beaches that are ideal for swimming, snorkelling, or simply relaxing and walking.
This much loved village is a very popular spot with the people of Waterford and one of the favourite things to do is to walk along the pier and watch the fishermen at work, unloading the catch. Join the locals in walking along the top wall and try to spot one of the seals that swim around the harbour in the hope of getting a throwaway fish from a kindly fisherman.
The village is home to several traditional pubs and award winning restaurants – and of course the speciality is fresh fish! Delicious sea food and a nice pint of Guinness are all part of the Waterford experience of Ireland’s Ancient East.
Dunmore East Adventure Centre is a popular holiday resort providing several activities for all ages including sailing, windsurfing, archery, kayaking, power boating and orienteering. It’s ideal for a family activity holiday. Golf courses are easily accessible from the village if you want to base yourself in Dunmore East for a golfing holiday.
Dunmore East also has half a dozen sheltered and picturesque coves where excellent swimming and snorkelling can be enjoyed. The most popular are Councillors, a south facing beach between lofty red sandstone cliffs, and Lawlors, right in the village. There’s also a playground in the park to keep the children happy for a while!
Within the village of Dunmore East are several beautiful secluded coves. These include Stony Cove, Ladie’s Cove, Men’s Cove and Badger’s Cove.
Dungarvan
Dungarvan is one of Ireland’s most picturesque seaside towns, an historic port now thriving with top notch shops, restaurants , festivals and events. Dungarvan is the perfect base for exploring Waterford’s magical mix of mountains, beaches, rivers and golf courses.
There are a number of areas of historical interest in the town’s historic quarter situated around Dungarvan Castle. The Dungarvan County Museum is a treasure of historical information relating to both Dungarvan and Ireland’s historic past. Visitors to Dungarvan will find that they are never short of a good place to eat with award- winning restaurants, quayside eateries, bustling cafés and excellent gastro – pubs dotted around the town . Dungarvan is the gateway to West Waterford.
Golden sandy beaches, the Copper Coast Scenic Drive and an abundance of walking and cycling trails. Whether you’re a family,a couple, a solo traveller or a group of friends, Dungarvan will put a smile on your face. It’s the ideal location to explore Waterford and Ireland’s Ancient East.
Tramore
Tramore is the South East’s leading Holiday Resort.
Tramore has a complete range of facilities for the holiday maker, from top class accommodation, to leisure activities such as Splashworld, the largest indoor aqua adventure playground in the South East, surfing, fishing, hiking, horse riding, golf and an Amusement Park for all ages.
Situated in a very prominent position in the old town centre sits Tramore House which overlooks Tramore Strand, and it’s there you will find a beautiful Japanese Garden inspired by the iconoic Irish Japanese writer Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, who spent his boyhood summers in Tramore.
The actual design of the garden reflects the course of Lafcadio Hearn’s life and encapsulates themes from his many books, including Tea House Garden, Cascade Garden, Woodland Garden, Peace and Harmony, Garden of Legends and Journey’s End.
Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (1850 – 1904) spent his boyhood summers in Tramore. He is known in Japan by his adopted name Koizumi Yakumo. The theme and design of the gardens reflect and mirror Hearn’s extraordinary journey through life, from West to East and from his lonely early years in Ireland to the honour and fame he achieved in his later life in Japan.