South East Ireland Tourism
Travel guide to Ireland's south east
Travel guide to Ireland's south east
Dunmore East, Waterford
Dunmore East, Waterford
Dunmore East is a charming little fishing port and seaside resort on the southern coast of Ireland, near the mouth of Waterford Harbour. The coastline in both directions is pretty and unspoiled, with headlands, coves and beaches. Dunmore East was earlier a packet station for mails between England and the south of Ireland, and the harbour was designed by G.A. Nimmo, the Scottish engineer. It is a particularly good spot for sea-angling. It is built in the Breton style, and has several thatched cottages and a number of coves, including Badgers Cove and Ladies Cove. At the entrance to the large fishing and yachting harbour is an anchor recovered from Waterford harbour and believed to have come from 18C merchantman.
Right of the road from the golf club is Counsellor’s Strand, a lovely protected EU Blue Flag beach. There is a car park above it. The sheltered cove where the Strand Inn Pub & Restaurant is situated, was a notorious haunt for smugglers. Return to the main road and continue through the village.
Above the village the wooded park offers lovely walks. Lord Waterford presented it for public use in 1926. Access via The Ship Restaurant.
In the centre of the village is an Anglo-Norman castle which was erected in the 12th century. The Church of Ireland Church of St. Andrew was built in 1815 and the spire and tower were added in 1881.
Big houses, where wealthy merchant families and navy officers made their homes during the British occupation, surrounded Dunmore East. The Haven Hotel was such a house. Formerly the Villa Marina it was a holiday home for the Malcomsons, who had shipping and cotton interests.
Continue down to the end of the village until you reach Dunmore East Harbour. Today the harbour attracts ocean going yachts from Britain and Continental Europe and, of course, many sea anglers who enjoy hunting the great variety of fish off the Waterford Coast. Sea anglers should contact the following for weekly charters: Dunmore East Angling Charters.
For water sports enthusiasts, a unique and wonderful way of exploring the Dunmore East Coastline is by Sea Kayak. Ireland’s most renowned sea-paddlers at seapaddling.com welcome all, from beginners to the more experienced sea paddlers.
Nature pays tribute to the tranquillity of the place, through the presence of a huge colony of normally human-shy kittiwakes who have set up their tenement homes in the cliffs beside the fishing harbour, still one of the busiest in Ireland.
Dunmore East also attracts those who love fresh Atlantic fish and who enjoy the gourmet restaurants to be found in the village.
If you enjoy Bluegrass Music, The Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival takes place every year in the village during the month of August.
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Things To Do in Dunmore East
On the outskirts of Dunmore East there is a golf club sign, left. Follow the sign, keeping left at the fork to reach Dunmore Golf & Country Club. The course commands fine views of the village of Dunmore and the coast to Hook Head and provides a stiff challenge in lovely surroundings.Right of the road from the golf club is Counsellor’s Strand, a lovely protected EU Blue Flag beach. There is a car park above it. The sheltered cove where the Strand Inn Pub & Restaurant is situated, was a notorious haunt for smugglers. Return to the main road and continue through the village.
Above the village the wooded park offers lovely walks. Lord Waterford presented it for public use in 1926. Access via The Ship Restaurant.
In the centre of the village is an Anglo-Norman castle which was erected in the 12th century. The Church of Ireland Church of St. Andrew was built in 1815 and the spire and tower were added in 1881.
Big houses, where wealthy merchant families and navy officers made their homes during the British occupation, surrounded Dunmore East. The Haven Hotel was such a house. Formerly the Villa Marina it was a holiday home for the Malcomsons, who had shipping and cotton interests.
Continue down to the end of the village until you reach Dunmore East Harbour. Today the harbour attracts ocean going yachts from Britain and Continental Europe and, of course, many sea anglers who enjoy hunting the great variety of fish off the Waterford Coast. Sea anglers should contact the following for weekly charters: Dunmore East Angling Charters.
For water sports enthusiasts, a unique and wonderful way of exploring the Dunmore East Coastline is by Sea Kayak. Ireland’s most renowned sea-paddlers at seapaddling.com welcome all, from beginners to the more experienced sea paddlers.
Nature pays tribute to the tranquillity of the place, through the presence of a huge colony of normally human-shy kittiwakes who have set up their tenement homes in the cliffs beside the fishing harbour, still one of the busiest in Ireland.
Dunmore East also attracts those who love fresh Atlantic fish and who enjoy the gourmet restaurants to be found in the village.
If you enjoy Bluegrass Music, The Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival takes place every year in the village during the month of August.
Dunmore East Map
<< Return to Waterford page
