FULL DAY TOUR

WATERFORD - TRAMORE -
FENOR - ANNESTOWN -
STRADBALLY - DUNGARVAN -
WATERFORD

Waterford to Dungarvan Coast Drive

The southern boundary of Waterford is entirely shaped by the Celtic Sea. The cliffs, bays, coves and river estuaries define a very scenic seascape, which is pleasantly punctuated by delightful villages and towns. This coastal drive describes the south coast between Waterford and Dungarvan.

Take the N25 from Waterford City in the direction of Cork the road branches; take the road to Tramore 12km. Tramore is one of those beauty spots where land and sea are gracefully linked and where health and pleasure pursuits have attracted thousands of holidaymakers for over 200 years. In 1785 Bartholomew Rivers, a wealthy Waterford merchant, transformed this one-time fishing hamlet into a thriving resort. Tramore has continued to grow and is now one of the leading resorts in Ireland. The houses and streets are tiered above the broad bay, presenting a pretty picture from the beach.

It is the long (5km) strand, which gave the resort its name - Tra Mhor (big strand), and a walk along its broad promenade on a balmy summer day is the stuff of holiday memories.

The Doneraile Walk is a scenic promenade offering breathtaking views over Tramore Bay. Laid out in the 18th century by Lord Doneraile, the walk now forms part of a 5km walk, signposted from the Tourist Office. Continue along the Cliff Road to Newtown Cove, a secluded beach and pier where the "real" swimmers go for instant deep water. A wooded area then offers a picnic site, where walkers can enjoy a rest before continuing to the Metalman. This colourfully painted figure is poised on the headland in Westown since 1824. His anguished face and rigidly pointing arm are reminders of the treacherous seas around Tramore. The wrecking of the Sea Horse in 1816 led to the loss of 363 lives, a tragedy, which is commemorated by a fine memorial in the local Church of Ireland churchyard.

Another exhilarating walk follows the strand to the Burrow at the end of the beach. Allow two hours for the walk and much longer if you appreciate wildfowl. Brent geese, redbreasted mergansers, choughs as well as the migrant egrets and scorers can he seen and appreciated in this lovely environment.

The "back strand", Riverstown area, of Tramore is the watery grave of Tramore's first racecourse which was laid out by Bartholomew Rivers in 1785. The coming of the railway in 1853 increased the popularity of the sport and Lord Doneraile and James Delahunty, a local entrepreneur, laid a new racecourse. Racing continued here until 1912 when the area finally succumbed to the sea which had first breached the protecting sandhills the year before.

A new racecourse was then built at Graun Hill and this picturesque course continues to hold regular meetings during both the Flat and National Hunt seasons in January, March and August. The holiday racing festival in mid-August is a must for racegoers and visitors alike. The atmosphere, banter and colour of this event capture the fun and excitement of an Irish race meeting like few other events can. An even better racing environment is assured under major development plans currently in train.

Driving up the hill in Tramore take the coast road in the direction of Fenor you will pass Tramore golf club on the right. This venerable old club moved to its present location in 1936. Up to that time the club had enjoyed a links layout around the sandhills. The views from this magnificently laid out 18 hole parkland course are predominantly towards the Comeragh Mountains. Visitors welcome, but are advised to phone in advance to secure preferred tee times. Tel./Fax: 051 386170.

The Tramore area is rich in megalithic tomb sites. One of the finest examples of such a site in Ireland is the Knockeen Dolmen, (5km north of Tramore). This is a very fine portal dolmen with a rectangular chamber and two capstones. Knockaderry Reservoir (off the Waterford/Cork road) holds a stock of wild brown trout and is occasionally stocked with rainbow trout. Boats and fishing tackle can be hired locally.

East of Fenor, a narrow road, right, leads to Kilfarrasy. The picturesque islands and sea stacks add visual excitement to this secluded cove and beach. The headland east of the beach contains the remains of a promontory fort. Return to the main road and travel west to Fenor. The local church is by Doolin and was built in 1894. Approx. 2km north of the village is another National Monument, Matthewstown Gallery Grave; a fine example of a wedge- shaped tomb dating from c. 2,000 B.C.

Continue on the coast road the short distance to Annestown Strand car park. The beach, with its castellated limekiln, sea arch and island, is most attractive and is popular with surfers as well as bathers. To the west of the beach is another promontory fort. Annestown, the next port of call, presents a pretty picture from the approach road. At the bottom of the hill Annestown Stream (or Anne River) passes under the road. Stop here to admire the reed beds and meandering stream, which is part of an ecological conservation effort in the area. Look north, upstream, to enjoy a wonderful view of Dunhill Castle, perched on a cliff above the river. Drive or walk to the ruin, which was a 13th century Power stronghold. About lkm north and south of Dunhill Village, are two megalithic tombs.

Continue in a westerly direction and your next stop is the pier at Boatstrand. There is access from here, via a lovely cliff walk, to the promontory fort on Dunabrattin Head. The views from the Head are truly spectacular and the visitor will get a real sense of the formidable defenses presented to would-be attackers from these Iron Age fortifications. At the apex of the road is Waterford Woodcraft where Bruce and Heather MacDonald have both practiced woodturning for over 25 years. The decorative and functional pieces for the home are sculpted from native Irish timbers, such as yew, ash, elm and bog oak. Their shop also displays a range of other Irish crafts. Open 9.00 - 2 1.00 year round. Tel.: 051 396110.

On the drive west, is the ruin of the Cornish engine house at Tankardstown. This engine once pumped the mines to a depth of 400m.

Bunmahon's lovely EU Blue Flag beach can be accessed from the centre of the village by foot or from the car park immediately cast of the village. Headlands protect the beach at each end and there is an exhilarating walk across the west end cliffs, which reveals a superb panorama as well as intimate coves and dramatic sea stacks. The village is pleasantly laid out and enjoys a tranquil seaside setting. This was not always the case, however, as Bunmahon was the centre of a thriving industry in the last century. Copper was extensively mined in the area between 1824 and 1877. In the early 1840s more than 1,000 people laboured underground.

Stradbally is a picturesque village of neat thatched and slated cottages. It has won numerous awards in the National Tidy Towns Competition and was the recipient of a Heritage Award in the prestigious international Entente Florale. The many trees planted by the Fitzgeralds in the 18th century give the area an unusual tamed, sylvan character, which contrasts with the wild stretches of windswept coast to come.

Two coves are signposted in the village. Stradbally Cove, with its sandy beach, is ideal for families while rugged Ballyvooney Cove, is spectacularly set under a dramatic headland. Continue in the direction of Dungarvan and will see the signpost for Clonea Strand, one of Waterford's EU Blue Flag beaches. This lovely crescent of golden sand is set snugly into the coastline. The views from the beach and the scenic walks along it have contributed to the popularity of Clonea over the years. Continue on to Dungarvan, which is the administrative capital for County Waterford and is a bustling market town in a high tourist amenity area

Stop for lunch in Dungarvan there is a broad choice of bars, which serve good food, which is very reasonable in price.

The Duke of Devonshire engaged in a programme of rebuilding at the turn of the 19th century and Dungarvan today owes much of its shape to that period. Relative prosperity returned, but was short lived, as the great famine of the 1840s had a devastating effect.

Despite some further setbacks Dungarvan today is a thriving commercial and tourist town and is an ideal centre for touring the Comeragh Mountains and the Ring Peninsula.

The main attractions of the town are featured in a Town Trail and included here are the most significant of these.

To the southwest of the Parnell Street (Main Street) car park is Jacknell Street and the arched entrance to The Park, laid out in 1894. Enjoy the lovely views from here across the bay.

St. Mary's Church of Ireland Church, entrance through a gate on Ernmet Street, was built in 1828 on the site of an earlier 18th century church. The stark gable wall standing to the back of the church is thought to have formed part of the pre-Reformation church of St. Mary the Virgin. The churchyard contains some interesting gravestones. On the west side of the cemetery is a mass grave and a memorial to those who died in the Moresby shipwreck in 1895.

From the gateway of St. Mary's continue down Church Street (straight-ahead), which contains some of the oldest houses in Dungarvan. Particularly noteworthy are No. 24, which dates from at least 1714 and the old warehouse at the end of the street, parts of which date back to the 16th century.

The Market House on Parnell Street dates from the 17th century. Since 1984, when Waterford County Council acquired the property, this building now houses the Dungarvan Museum and Library. The museum presents the history of Dungarvan and west Waterford through a series of displays and panels. The Museum Society organizes field trips during the summer months and a series of lectures during the winter. Open Monday to Friday, 11.00-13.00 and 14.00-17.00 each day. Tel.: 058 41231.

Head towards the harbour and Barrack Lane where St. Garvan's Church is situated. This was thought to be the site of a 16th century church dedicated to St. Garvan, who is reputed to have established the first settlement here. The building was later a merchant's house and then the headquarters of the Electric Light Company, set up in 1920 to bring electricity to the town.

Across from St.Garvan's is Dungarvan Castle, a 12th century Anglo-Norman castle. It was the focus of many of the battles visited on the town. In the centre of the yard is the ruin of an 18th century military barracks.

The lane leads to The Lookout, a point where the families of fishermen looked out for their breadwinners after difficult and stormy fishing expeditions. There is a plaque to lifeboatmen who were involved with the Moresby rescue bid when the ship went down with great loss of life on Christmas Eve in 1895.

Return back down the lane to Davitt's Quay, constructed in the early 19th century. Running off the quay are three lanes which give a flavour of the medieval origins of the town - Thompson's Lane, Galwey's Lane and Dirty Lane. Continue from Dirty Lane onto Parnell Street (Main Street), where the handsome, red brick Friary House can be seen. George Ashlin built it as an Augustinian Priory in 1871 to a design.

Facing each other on St. Augustine Street is the Town Hall, which was converted from an old warehouse in the 1870s, and St. Augustine's Church, built in 1823.

Turn right at the top of St. Augustine Street to reach St. Mary's Parish Church, one of the largest Roman Catholic churches built in Ireland in the early 19th century.

Grattan Square is elegant and spacious and dates from the early 19th century. Bridge Street was the first part of the new town centre to be built at this time, and its benefactor, Lord Devonshire, is remembered on the cast iron balcony containing the Devonshire crest which surrounds Lalor's (formerly Devonshire Arms) Hotel.

Shell Cottage, on the road to Abbeyside, was created from seashells collected by the late Captain David Foley.

The Augustinian Abbey in Abbeyside was built in 1290 and has a well-preserved 15th century tower, which is a prominent landmark on the bay. In the ruin of the nave is the tomb of Donal McGrath, 1470.

Dungarvan is a noted deep sea-angling centre, with shark, general ground and wreck fishing available. General angling is from April to October with shore fishing extending to January Approved boats available for daily or weekly charters from Corrnac Walsh, Gone Fishing' Tackle Shop, Parnell Street (Lower Main Street), Dungarvan. Boat, "Alzira". Maximum number of persons: 8 for shark fishing; 12 for ground and wreck fishing. Tel.: 058 43514. Mobile: 087 604664. Fax: 058 43424.

Take the N25 in the direction of Waterford the journey back to Waterford should take about 45 mins approx. 30 miles