Waterford: Attractions, Beaches, Scenic Drives-The Copper Coast, Suir & Nire Valleys...
30/04/2011 Waterford has plenty to offer from Scenic Drives, Blue Flag Beaches, Castles and Gardens to Championship Golf and Hillwalking. There are also some wonderful scenic drives:The Copper Coast Drive, The Suir & Nire Valleys, Gaultier Coast Drive, The Vee
ATTRACTIONS
Ormond Castle & Manor House, Carrick on Suir
Carrick on Suir Heritage Centre
Curraghmore Estate, Portlaw
Mount Congreve Gardens, Kilmeaden
Fairbrook House Gardens, Kilmeaden
Waterford & Suir Valley Railway, Kilmeaden
Harrison Megalithic Tomb near Killea
Dunhill Castle, Dunhill
Mahon Falls in the Comeragh Mountains
Coumshingaun Lake in the Comeragh Mountains
Cappoquin House & Gardens
Tourin House & Gardens, Cappoquin
Mount Melleray Abbey, Cappoquin
Lismore Gardens in the grounds of Lismore Castle
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BLUE FLAG BEACHES 2011
BLUE FLAG BEACHES BELOW ARE FOR 2011. BLUE FLAG BEACHES FOR 2012 WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN JUNE.
County Waterford boasts 3 Blue Flag Beaches
TRAMORE: Tramore
WATERFORD: Bunmahon
DUNGARVAN: CloneaClonea Strand
FOR MORE ON IRISH BEACHES VISIT http://www.beachawards.ie/index.php
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SCENIC DRIVES
The Copper Coast Drive along the R675 from Tramore to Dungarvan is one of Ireland's most spectacular coastal drives.
Other scenic drives: The Suir Valley Drive, The East Waterford Gaultier Coast Drive, The Vee and the magnificent Nire Valley.
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SUIR VALLEY DRIVE
The River Suir borders both County Tipperary and County Waterford. This drive follows the R680 from Carrick on Suir to Waterford. Before you leave Carrick on Suir a visit to Ormond Castle is a must. It is the best example of an Elizabethan manor house in Ireland. The state rooms contain some of the finest decorative plasterwork in the country, including plasterwork portraits.
Curraghmore Estate(www.curraghmorehouse.ie) in the Quaker Village of Portlaw is the historic home of the 8th Marquis of Waterford. 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. Kilmeaden well known for its cheese is also home to the magnificent Mount Congreve Gardens(www.mountcongreve.com), Fairbrook House & Gardens(www.fairbrook-house.com) and The Waterford & Suir Valley Railway(www.wsvrailway.ie)
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EAST WATERFORD GAULTIER COAST DRIVE
The East Waterford Gaultier Coast Drive is a beautiful drive around the peninsula from Waterford City to Tramore Bay. For the golfer there are splendid golf courses at Waterford Castle, Faithlegg and Dunmore East.
Starting in Waterford take the R683 to Passage Cross and then through Halfway House to Cheekpoint. This fishing village with its rich maritime history is where the river Suir meets its sister rivers: the Barrow and the Nore. The river view from the hill above the village and the fish food restaurants make a visit to this village a must. Continue along the coast to the estuary car ferry port of Passage East. From here its on to the very picturesque Dunmore East, stopping at Woodstown with its beautiful sandy beach, protected by wooded hills and the Harrison Megalithic Tomb near Killea. Bell Lake is good for coarse fishing.
From Dunmore East its on to Tramore via Portally, Rathmoylan, and the picturesque Ballymacaw.
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THE COPPER COAST DRIVE
The Copper Coast Drive from Tramore to Dungarvan gets it name from its copper mining history in the 18th/19th Century. This 25km/16mile stretch takes you through the six small villages of Fenor, Annestown, Dunhill, Boatstrand, Bunmahon and Stradbally. Along the Copper Coast/Copper Coast Geopark there are eight family friendly beaches some also suited to surfing/diving.
There are guided walks and family events here throughout the summer.
Contact Copper Coast Geopark:+353(0)51 292 828.
Fishing permits are available from Centra Supermarket, Kilmeaden on the N25.
FENOR:
This is the first of the six villages. Take the Boardwalk Trail at the award winning Fenor Bog. Have a picnic in Ballyscanlon Forest and a stroll around the lake. Visit the Copper Coast Mini-Farm and tea-rooms.
Nearby is Kilfarrasay Beach which has some of the best views along the route.
ANNESTOWN:
A small colourful village with rugged cliffs overlooking a lovely sandy beach at one end while the other overlooks the Anne Valley. The area is rich in historical content, with Stone-Age remains dating from 2,500 BC.
Visit the 19th century church on the hill and walk along the River Anne to the ruins of Dunhill Castle.
BOATSTRAND:
A charming little fishing harbour, very popular for boating and swimming in the summer. From Dunabrattin Head there are breathtaking views of Helvick Head to the west and Brownstown Head to the east.
Other walks here will reward you with stunning views of the coastline and the Comeragh and Knockmealdown Mountains.
BUNMAHON:
Blue Flag Beach with 2.5km of golden sand backed by sand dunes and protected by tall cliffs. From the top of the cliffs there are magnificent coastal views. Nearby, there are many hidden coves as well as remnants of the area's copper mining industry. This was once the centre of a thriving copper industry. Along the cliff top there is an exhilarating walk with wonderful coastal views. The
Geological Garden here is home to two ogham stones found nearby.
STRADBALLY:
Nestling between the beautiful Comeragh mountains and the rolling Atlantic ocean, lies this quaint Waterford village. It has won many awards over the years: silver medal status in the National Tidy Towns competition and a Gold Medal in the Entente Florale competition in 2002.
Close by is Clonea Blue Flag Beach and the Gold Coast Championship Golf Course(www.goldcoastgolfclub.com)
Next stop Dungarvan
www.coppercoastgeopark.com has more information.
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MAHON FALLS,THE COMERAGH MOUNTAINS & THE NIRE VALLEY
From Dungarvan take the N25 towards Waterford. Follow the signs for the Comeragh Drive and Mahon Falls. The scenery is just magnificent. A cattle grid takes you into the Mahon Valley. Park in the car park and walk for approx 15 mins to the waterfall. Drive up the hill from where there are brillant views overlooking the Mahon Valley to the east and the Tay Valley to the west.
The name "Nire Valley" comes from the Gaelic "Gleann na hUidhre" which means Glen or Valley of the Yellow/Brown stone. The Nire River flows down through the valley to meet the Suir River near Newcastle.
This is a glaciated valley with many corrie lakes, the most famous being Coumshingaun Lake which is situated between two peaks in the mountains.
There are a number of walks/hikes to Coumshingaun Lake. It is well worth a visit. One popular route from Kilclooney Wood not far from Mahon Falls is most suited to families.
Another route which starts not far from Ballycarbry is more suited to experienced hikers/hillwalkers.
Continue around the Comeraghs to Cappoquin.
In Cappoquin visit Cappoquin House & Gardens, Tourin House & Gardens and Mount Melleray Abbey. Continue to Lismore. In Lismore be sure to visit Lismore Gardens in the grounds of Lismore Castle.
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THE VEE DRIVE
The Vee offers more breathtaking scenery. This scenic route connects West Waterford with South Tipperary over the Knockmealdown Mountains. From Lismore take the R668. At the Vee Gap there are magnificent views of West County Waterford and across the plain of Tipperary, with the Galtee mountains in the distance. The Vee is probably most famous for its magnificent display of Rhododendrons in late May and early June.
GAELTACHT & GALLTACHT DRIVE - The Gaeltacht & Galltacht Drive explores the cultural contrasts between the Gaeltacht (Gaelic speaking) Ring area (An Rinn) and the planted and fortified castle lands along the Blackwater, with their strong Anglo-Norman and English influences. Highlights include the major historic ecclesiastical site at Ardmore (Round Tower & Cathedral), the neat estate town of Villierstown, Dromana House, Bridge & Gardens and the vineyard near Cappoquin.
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