A 400-metre-long tunnel is one of the notable structures along the Waterford Greenway. The traffic-free walking and cycling trail runs for 46 kilometres from Waterford City to Dungarvan, following the former railway line of the Great Southern and Western Railway. Eleven bridges and three viaducts complement the tunnel: the route also tells its story through the structures along the way.
Exploring on foot, by bike and along the coast
Those looking for a different route will find another point of reference in the Copper Coast Drive, which runs from Tramore to Dungarvan. The Greenway and the Drive therefore have different starting points but the same endpoint. This makes it possible to compare two different ways of travelling without presenting them as one shared route.
The Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark stretches for 25 kilometres along the coast of County Waterford, from Fenor to Stradbally. Further inland, the Comeragh Mountains offer hiking experiences among glacial lakes, misty cliffs and high ridges with sweeping coastal views. The bog in Waterford Nature Park is centred around the St. John’s River; its habitats include reed beds, freshwater marsh, wet grassland and willow swamp woodland.
The Anne Valley Walk connects a different landscape: the trail passes through wetlands and woodland from Dunhill to the coastal village of Annestown and is fully accessible to buggies and wheelchairs. Visitors can spot herons, kingfishers and otters along the way. The trail combines a clearly defined route with a landscape that can also be discovered through its wildlife.
Gardens, views and local stories
Mount Congreve House and Gardens is located in Kilmeaden, County Waterford, and is described as one of the “Great Gardens of the World”. The gardens cover 70 acres of intensively planted woodland, a four-acre walled garden and 16 kilometres of paths. These figures give a sense of the scale of a visit: woodland, the walled garden and paths make up distinct parts of the estate. In the restored Tack Room, Mount Congreve serves Afternoon Tea surrounded by gardens, trees, birds and wildlife.
The Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens offer a different perspective. They cover 2.5 acres in the centre of Tramore and overlook Tramore Bay and beach. Landscapes and rock formations tell Hearn’s life story and reflect the cultures and mythologies of the places where he lived. In Tramore, garden design and a narrated biography sit side by side.
Coastal walks also lead to history and historic structures. From the Ardmore Cliff Walk, you can see the “Samson” shipwreck and two watchtowers: one dates from the Napoleonic era, and the smaller one from the Second World War. St. Declan’s Well, a well-preserved round tower and a 12th-century cathedral also lie along the route. The 115-kilometre Saint Declan’s Way pilgrimage route connects Cashel in County Tipperary with Ardmore in County Waterford.
Dunhill Castle is accessible via a grass path from the car park at its base and is a geosite within the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark in County Waterford. In the coastal village of Bunmahon, the Copper Coast Global Geopark Visitor Centre houses an exhibition on mining and geoheritage. Together, these places show how the geology and history of the coast can be explored through individual visits.
City history, museums and events
Reginald’s Tower, Ireland’s oldest urban building, stands in Waterford City. An exhibition in the tower covers Waterford’s Viking origins and medieval past. The Waterford Treasures: Medieval Museum is also located in the Viking Triangle. It displays the Cloth of Gold vestments, considered Europe’s only complete surviving pre-Reformation collection. These two different stops offer a way to explore the city’s history.
In Lismore, the Lismore Heritage Centre offers a range of guided walks through the town’s streets from Monday to Friday. The Lismore Castle Experience is a virtual reality tour of privately owned Lismore Castle. The two offerings provide different ways to explore Lismore’s history: a walk through the streets and a virtual tour of the castle.
Events also bring together different interests. The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is Ireland’s summer opera festival and takes place annually in the Blackwater Valley in County Waterford. It combines opera and classical music with curated culinary experiences at historic venues, including Lismore Castle and Dromore Yard. The annual Comeraghs Wild Festival celebrates nature, culture and community in County Waterford; its programme includes outdoor adventures, guided walks, music, art and cultural experiences. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, check the dates for the relevant programme.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Dunmore East, Waterford, Dungarvan, Tramore, Cappoquin, Aird MhĂłr, Ballymacarbry, Woodstown, Lismore, Harrylock, Bunmahon, Rathgormack, Ringville.
Go to the regional travel overview: Munster.
