Drives & Highlights

The Comeragh Mountains

The Comeragh Mountain and Nire Valley Drives embrace the scenery and splendour of the mountains which form the spine of County Waterford.

Panoramas include the Atlantic coast to the south and Slieve na Mban in the Galty Mountains above Clonmel to the North on the Nire Drive.

Highlights on this drive include pre-historic sites, standing stones, fulachta and cairns at Kilbrien, Mothel Abbey, Mahon Falls, and, of course, horse riding, angling and guided walks from Ballymacarbry.

Dungarvan & The Copper Coast Drive

The Dungarvan & The Copper Coast Drive embraces the panoramic seascapes, cliffs, bays and coves between Dungarvan and the major seaside resort of Tramore as well as more intimate Seaside Resorts with Blue Flag Beaches, Clonea and Bunmahon.

Highlights include Dungarvan Town Trail, Dungarvan Museum, Augustinian Abbey, Stradbally, Dunhill Castle, and Matthewstown Gallery Grave.

The Copper Coast - Fenor to Stradbally

Just West of Tramore lies one of the most spectacular coastal stretches in Ireland. Known as the copper Coast, due to the tradition of Copper Mining in the area. This coastal stretch passes through five small villages:
Fenor, (Forest, Lakes, Fenor Bog, Kilfarrasy Beach),
Annestown, (sweeping beach),
Boatstrand with its little harbour, (swimming and diving),
Bunmahon (Mining trail, geological park, Blue Flag Beach, cliff walks panoramic views) and
Stradbally ( award winning picturesque village, sandy coves, woodlands, crystal clear water).
Just off the route is the traditional village of Dunhill, where good food and traditional music abound.

See also (external link): Copper Coast Geopark

East Waterford Gaultier Coast Drive

The East Waterford Gaultier Coast Drive is a beautiful peninsular drive contained by Waterford Harbour on one side and magnificent Tramore Bay on the other.

Highlights include the very picturesque resort of Dunmore East,
the protected beach at Woodstown,
the scenic fishing village of Cheekpoint,
the estuary car ferry port of Passage East and Harrison Megalithic Tomb.

Lismore & The Vee Drive

Lismore & The Vee Drive is a spectacularly beautiful drive where the scenery climbs and dips and changes constantly.

Highlights include Lismore Heritage Town, The Vee viewpoint, the gardens and pet farm round Clogheen, Mount Mellary Abbey and Cappoquin House & Gardens.

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 & Gardens and the vineyard near Cappoquin.

There is a Blue Flag Beach and Cliff Walk at Ardmore. St. Declan's Way Walk and Shore Angling at Whiting Bay.

Kilmaloo Walk at Clashmore and Horse Riding & Finisk Valley at Cappoquin.

Suir Valley Drive

The Suir forms a beautiful boundary between Co. Waterford and Co. Tipperary and this drive exploits all its charms.

Highlights include Ormond Castle & Manor House and the Heritage Centre, Carrick-on-Suir, Curraghmore Estate, Portlaw, Mount Congreve Gardens, Killoteran and the Tipperary South Riding County Museum, Clonmel.