Co. Waterford
All the family will enjoy a visit to the Copper Coast Mini Farm. As well as the animals there is plenty for the children to enjoy with sand pits, buckets and spades and toy tractors. Relax with a cuppa and home baking at the Copper Kettle Tea Rooms.
Fenor Bog is a fen bog located beside the Church in the village of Fenor. Car park located just behind the Church, when in the car park take a look at the beautiful carving in the Church grounds by John Hayes, Special Branch Carvers. You can stop for refreshments at nearby Ní Bhriaín Café.
Tramore is a very popular family resort, well known for its beautiful beach. There are lots of activities to be enjoyed, such as surfing, children’s play areas, golf, golf driving range, Splashworld. In summer the amusement park is open.
A lovely attraction to visit is Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens. These beautiful gardens depict the life Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo), who grew up in Ireland and travelled to several parts of the world. The gardens are a place of peace and beauty.
Enjoy a trip on the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway located at the old Kilmeaden Railway Station and experience the beauty of the Suir Valley and the River Suir. Relax with a cuppa in the Whistlestop Café.
Nearby is the beautiful Mount Congreve Gardens and is well worth a visit. It features one of the largest collections of plants in Ireland as well as a visitor centre and cafe.
From Bonmahon travelling west the first cove is Ballydowane which has a beautiful beach and is ideally suited for walking and sunbathing. It is very popular for fishing also.
Continuing on and taking a left turn you will come to Ballyvooney Cove, where the Cirolo Morus was wrecked in 1926.
Stradbally is a picturesque village and the local community work hard and can be very proud of their success in the Tidy Towns Competition over the years. The village won the Gold Medal in the Entente Florale Competition in 2002. The square with its sundial is particularly attractive. The pre reformation Church is being conserved and work is ongoing. The Barron Hall has been renovated to a very high standard in keeping with its heritage and is an excellent resource for the community. A short walk from the village is the beautiful Stradbally Cove. There is a looped walk from the village, distance of 4.6Km, which passes by Ballyvooney Cove. The children’s playground is another amenity in the village.
Dungarvan is a thriving market town with lots to do from shopping to dining, with many interesting attractions. Waterford County Museum, based at The Old Town Hall in St. Augustine Street, recounts the history of the area. John’s Castle is also of interest. A memorial to those who died in the First World War has been erected here. The Old Market House Arts Centre is one of Dungarvan’s oldest buildings and hosts exhibitions by local, national and international artists
While in Dungarvan it is just a short drive to the Ring Gaeltacht and Helvick Head.
Cappoquin is located on the head of the Blackwater River Estuary. Nearby is the Cistercian Monastery at Mount Mellerary which was founded in 1832.
The Vee is a beautiful scenic drive through the Knockmealdown Mountains. Mitchelstown Caves is a short diversion from your route.
Lismore Heritage Town is well worth a visit. Popular attractions are Lismore Castle, Lismore Heritage Centre and St. Carthages Cathedral.
Ardmore lies to the west of the county and is famous for its 12th century Round Tower and also its monastic settlement founded by St. Declan. For those who like walking the Cliff Walk will be enjoyed.
The Nire Valley is also a very popular scenic route, an ideal area for walking and horse riding.
Curraghmorehouse near Portlaw is the historic home of the 9th Marquis of Waterford. His ancestors (the de la Poers) came to Ireland from Normandy after a 100-year stopover in Wales around 1170. Some 2,500 acres of formal gardens, woodland and grazing fields make this the largest private demesne in Ireland and one of the finest places to visit in Ireland.
