Annestown & Boatstrand

Boatstrand’s tiny harbour has provided a living for generations of Copper Coast fishermen, from early times, right up to the present day. Originally the open boats were heaved high up onto the beach by groups of tough rugged fishermen, but life was made dramatically easier in 1880 when the harbour was built. But life on the Atlantic is never easy, and the availability of comfortable well-paid jobs in other areas of the economy have made fishing much less attractive. These days many of Boatstrand’s fishing boats are operated on a part-time basis, as a back-up to farming or other seasonal trades. But to us, the combination of boats, bright paintwork, and clear Atlantic water, is an irresistible lure, and our cameras set to work with usual gusto. Much of Boatstrand’s tiny fleet is comprised of small inshore quarter tonners, many of them without protective cabins of any sort, and we marvel at the optimism and tenacity of their crews. And this optimism is reflected, not only in their daring, but also in their selection of bright garish paint colours. We love Annestown, too, and particularly its gorgeous thatched cottages and rolling countryside. Here, at last, is an Irish town without a pub! But, there again, it does not have a shop either!

Both Boatstrand and Annestown are situated amidst Waterford’s historic “Copper Coast”, which is, itself, located in the middle of the new “Copper Coast European Geopark”.  That title sounds to us to be rather a mouthful, and undoubtedly the product of some nightmarish bureaucratic committee, but it does nonetheless cause one to ponder on the extraordinarily fractured topography of the coastline. And lastly we love beautiful Dunhill Castle where we climbed high up onto the upper floors to survey the rolling countryside and rugged coastline. Do be very careful however, because the creeping ivies covering the structure can give an impression of secure stonework where there is none!

How to get to Boatstrand and Annestown

Travelling Waterford's beautiful "Copper Coast" by car is perhaps the best way to explore its many riches, although touring by bicycle on theses relatively quiet secondary roads is quite feasible too. Follow the R675 to Boatstrand.

Explore more

Boatstrand is surrounded by beautiful coastal towns. Don't miss Dungarvan and Ardmore if you are travelling west, and don't miss Tramore, and Dunmore East, if you are travelling east.

Things to do in Boatstrand

1. Explore Boatstrand’s quaint working harbour with its colourful trawlers and rock-strewn coastline.
2. Enjoy the many cliff top walks east and west of Boatstrand, but do be very very careful.
3. Stop off at the historic copper mines at Bunmahon, now long abandoned.
4. Spend an afternoon on beautiful Bunmahon Beach, and enjoy 5km of Atlantic rollers. A beautiful sandy Blue Flag beach complete with dunes, which is much loved by surfers and kitesurfers alike.
5. Explore Dunhill Castle, built by the la Poer (Power) family in the 1200′s. Its elevated position on top of Dun-Hill made it almost impregnable.

Boatstrand and Annestown Map

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