Sailing
The Waterford Harbour Sailing Club, established in 1943, is based in Dunmore East harbour. It has a mixture of dinghy sailors, cruiser sailors, motorboat enthusiasts and social sailors amongst its members. During the summer it is taken up with Junior Sailing Courses. These courses are run by the club in conjunction with ISA-trained instructors and cater for children and young adults from 10 to 18 years of age, and welcome new & visiting members. For more information contact: 051 383230.
Swimming
Within the village of Dunmore East there are several beautiful secluded coves: Stoney Cove, Ladies’ Cove, Men’s Cove and Badger’s Cove. However, the most popular are two Blue Flag beaches Lawlor’s and Councillor’s Strand located right on our doorstep. Both strands are tidal, for tide times please refer to the daily tidal update on our terrace or to www.tidetimes.org.uk/dunmore-east-tide-times.
Golf
Dunmore East golf course has beautiful views overlooking the picturesque village, the sea and surrounding countryside. The course offers stimulating golf to all levels of player and a warm welcome in the clubhouse is assured. There are also other top-notch courses within a 30-minute drive. For more info call:
- Dunmore East Golf Club (Tel: 051 383151)
- Faithlegg Golf Club (Tel: 051 382241)
- Tramore Golf Club (Tel: 051 386170)
- Waterford Castle Golf Club (Tel: 051 871633)
- Waterford Golf Club (Tel:051 876748)
Dunmore Boat Trips
Whether you are interested in angling, whale watching, a family outing or a leisurely trip around Dunmore bay, you could not be in better hands for your seafaring adventure than those of Brendan Glody, a fully qualified skipper with over 20 years of experience. Follow Dunmore Boat Trips on Facebook for Whale Sightings from November to February and you might make a special trip down for our Strand Inn Winter Special. For more info and bookings call 051 383234 or 087 2608917.
Dunmore East Adventure Centre
The Adventure Centre is situated in the harbour of Dunmore East, at the top of the slipway in Stoney Cove. It offers a vast array of water and land-based adventure sports for complete beginner and the practised expert alike and caters for groups, individuals, adults and kids. For more information call 051 383783.
Surfing
Only twenty minutes from Dunmore East you can enjoy surfing with the oldest surfing club in Ireland or with one of the surfing schools located along the Tramore Strandt (see contact details below). Check out daily surf forecast for Tramore Bay on www.magicseaweed.com.
- T-Bay Surf Club (Tel: 051 391297)
- Freedom Surf School (Tel: 051 386773)
- Tramore Surf School (Tel: 051 391011)
Tennis
Tennis courts with beautiful sea views are located in the local park. During the summer months there is a court attendant on duty and information on court booking is displayed on the court.
Horse Riding
For information on horse riding on beaches and in local woodlands call:
- Lake Tours Tramore (Tel: 051 381958)
- Pallas Stud, Woodstown, Co. Waterford (Tel: 051 382112)
Horse Racing at Tramore
Waterford & Tramore Racecourse have been providing exciting entertainment for horse racing fans in south East of Ireland for more than 100 years. Annual events:
- June Bank Holiday Weekend Races
- August 4-Day Racing Festival
For more information contact 051 381425.
Walking
Why not explore the scenic Dunmore East on foot:
• The Cliff Walk, leading from Dunmore to Portally Cove is a beautiful walk along the sea cliffs with some breath-taking views of the sea and surrounding landscape. During a recent refurbishment the path was made more accessible and there is seating located along the way.
• Local Woods offer leisurely walks connecting the Upper and the Lower village of Dunmore East. Along with the park, the woods were presented to the people of Dunmore in the 1920s by Lord Waterford. Neither the Park nor the Woods can be sold or built upon and are looked after by a group of Trustees.
• Local History Walks are run and advertised by the Barony of Gaultier Historical Society. Details can be found on the Historical Society FB page.
• Woodstown Beach, Creadon Beach and Tramore Beach offer great walks for those who wish to walk on the flat. A more adventurous walk leads from Dunmore to Woodstown via Creadon. For more information ask at the reception or log onto www.discoverdunmore.com.
Waterford Greenway Cycling/Walking
The Waterford Greenway is a spectacular 46 km off-road cycling and walking trail along an old railway line from the quays of Ireland’s oldest city to Dungarvan. Enjoy a beautiful journey through time and nature across three tall viaducts, through a long atmospheric tunnel, all the way from the river to the sea. For more information and Greenway map ask at reception or log onto www.visitwaterfordgreenway.com/. To book your bike and/or shuttle bus call 086 1292724, 051 347500 or 051 295955.
Walking or Cycling with Waterford Camino Tours
In collaboration with The Waterford Camino we offer walking and cycling packages – a special time only for you in beautiful Dunmore East and surrounding areas. For more information please ask at the reception or visit www.waterfordcamino.com
Waterford City Viking Triangle Tour
The Viking Triangle Experience in Waterford City takes you back to the time of the Vikings, founders of Ireland’s oldest city.
Waterford Tourist Services offer walking tours of the historic core of Waterford city, known as the Viking Triangle. The tour lasts one hour, covering over a 1,000 year of history, and includes four National Monuments and two Cathedral visits.
Public tours for individuals or small groups run twice a day from March 15th to October 15th. Tours start from the Tourist Information Centre at 11.45 a.m. and 1.45 p.m. each day and from the Granville Hotel at 12.00 noon and 2.00 p.m. No need to book, just turn up. Out of season, tours are available on request. For more information click here
Copper Coast Drive
The Copper Coast lies between Tramore and Dungarvan and stretches from the villages of Fenor to Stradbally and Dunhill. The name Copper Coast comes from the copper mines that were active in the 19th century. Its coastline covers around 25 km of the most magnificent seascapes that Ireland has to offer. Driving or walking along the beaches or coves you can see the copper green tinge in the cliffs which were formed over millions of years. For more information, maps and walking trails log onto https://coppercoastgeopark.com/
John F. Kennedy Park & Arboretum
The Park and Arboretum located in New Ross is dedicated to the memory of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. It consists of 622 acres including 4,500 types of trees and shrubs, 200 forest plots, rhododendrons and dwarf conifers. An ideal place for families with its woodland walks, playground, tree houses and a lake where you can feed the ducks and fish. Open all year. For more information see www.heritageireland.ie/en/south-east/thejohnfkennedyarboretum/ or call 051 388171.
Mount Congreve Gardens
The gardens, part of the Waterford Garden Trail (see FB page for more), consist of around 70 acres of intensively planted woodland garden and a four-acre walled garden. The owner, the late Mr Ambrose Congreve’s interest in gardening started a collection which today counts over three thousand different trees and shrubs among which Rhododendrons, Camellias, cultivars, conifers as well as a vast variety of herbaceous plants. Coffee and tea as well as fresh fruit and vegetables are sold in local café and shop. For more information and bookings log onto www.mountcongreve.com/ or call 051 384 115.
Waterford & Suir Valley Railway
A family friendly railway running along the picturesque banks of the River Suir offers views of the beautiful Mount Congreve Gardens. For information and bookings visit www.wsvrailway.ie or call 051 384058 (Kilmeaden Station).
Comeragh Mountains
Comeragh Mountains range stretches from Dungarvan to Clonmel, featuring boggy plateaus as well rocky coums filled with small lakes. Some of well sign-posted walks for hikers of all age and experience can be found by clicking here. For more information call Dungarvan Tourist Information (0)58 41741.
Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens
These unique gardens are part of the Waterford Garden Trail (see FB page for more info) are situated only a short drive from Dunmore, in the seaside resort of Tramore. They reflect a life journey of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo), who grew in Ireland and throughout his life lived in several parts of the world. For information on guided tours and seasonal events visit www.lafcadiohearngardens.com/ or call 087 0960013.
Currghmore House & Gardens
Curragmore House in Waterford is the historic home of the 9th Marquis of Waterford. With its 2,500 acres of gardens, woodlands and fields, which are included in the Waterford Garden Trail (see FB for more), it is the largest privately-owned estate in Ireland and one of the most beautiful places to visit in the area. For opening hours, maps and information on tours and seasonal events log onto www.curraghmorehouse.ie/ or call 051 387101.
Scenic Drives of the Hook Peninsula
Dunbrody Abbey
Within the Abbey Visitor’s Centre is Dunbrody Castle which houses a craft shop, a museum and a large dolls’ house built to a scale of the castle. Families will enjoy the full-size maze containing 1500 yew trees. Tea rooms offer home-baked produce and there is local art on display. For more information visit www.dunbrodyabbey.com or call 086 275 9149.
Dunbrody Famine Ship
While at the Dunbrody Abbey, why not pay a visit to the Famine Ship Experience exposition located in New Ross. The history tour offers an insight in the hardships of immigration during the period of great famine in a way accessible to the whole family. To book call 051 425239 or visit www.dunbrody.com.
Duncannon Fort
Duncannon Fort is an impressive presentation of a bastioned fortress perched on the side of the stunning Hook Peninsula, County Wexford, part of Ireland’s Ancient East. This historic structure has gathered countless intriguing and awe-inspiring stories over its 450-year history and holds one of the best vantage points from which to take in the beautiful Waterford Estuary. Further information log onto www.duncannonfort.ie or call 051 389530.
Loftus Hall
Visit Loftus Hall and take a guided interactive tour of this abandoned haunted house with a dark and troubled history. Check out special Halloween and other events and book your visit at www.loftushall.ie or call 051 397728.
Hook Lighthouse
One of the oldest working Lighthouses in the World had been marking the entrance to Waterford Harbour at the mouth of the Three Sisters river system for over 800 years. The Visitor centre is open all year round and offers guided tours of the medieval lighthouse. For more information visit www.hookheritage.ie or call 051 397055.