Places To Visit Near Dungarvan
County Waterford contains many 'hidden treasures' that you you may wish to visit during your stay at Colligan Barn Self Catering Accommodation. Please feel free to contact us for details of anything that might interest you.
Ardmore
Today Ardmore is a very pleasant seaside town with a popular long sandy beach, some nice restaurants, an excellent craft shop (with own pottery) and super cliff top walk which includes a 12th Century well and temple, a ship wreck, WW11 observation and customs posts and super scenery (at the right time of year whales can be seen offshore see the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group website).
However it is probably most well known for its ancient ecclesiastical centre and Round Tower. The patron saint is Declan who formed a seminary here in 416. St. Declan's feastday is the 24th July and there is a tradition of pilgrimage on the Sunday nearest (Pattern Sunday). St. Declan christianised the area before the more famous coming of St. Patrick in around 430. The 30 meter high Round tower and cathedral date from the 12th Century when there were strong links with Lismore which was by then an important European seat of learning.
Youghal
Youghal is not only the gateway to the spectacular Blackwater River with its stunning scenery, ancient monuments and well renown fishing but has a rich heritage in its own right. Youghal was settled by the Vikings in the 9th Century and so started a turbulant history culminating in a sea battle in 1173 when the Normans defeated a fleet of Irish and Viking warriors. The Normans went on to create a walled town and by 1350 there was trading with ports all over Europe. Much of the wall and a number of gates remain. Ireland's oldest 'university' was founded here in 1464, but little now remains. Sir Walter Raleigh's home in Youghal (Myrtle Grove) fared better and has survived largely intact, it is said that Edmund Spencer wrote his famous Faerie Queene here. Raleigh sold his properties to Richard Boyle who was quick and efficient to develop them, supplying pig iron and tall oak for the English fleet. He also extended and fortified the castle at Lismore. Boyle's son is famous to all students as the author of Boyles law on gasses (an excellent overview of this period can be seen at the Heritage Centre at Lismore).
More recently Youghal was an important pottery and brick making centre. Throughout much of the 1900's Youghal was a popular tourist resort, and its fine beaches and Perks amusement park ensure it remains so today. There are excellent guided walking tours from the Tourist office (Tel. +353 (0)24 20170), from where trips up the Blackwater can also be booked. There are also greyhound racing on Tuesday and Friday evenings at Kilcohan Park (Tel. +353 (0)51 874531) where you can also enjoy fine dining. Youghal walled town tour can be booked through the tourist office.
Lismore
A National Heritage town, Lismore was founded by St Carthage in 636 and by the 8th Century was a famous Monastic School attended by King Alfred the Great. It was once home to Sir Walter Raleigh and the birthplace of the famous scientist Robert Boyle. The beautiful castle is now home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. You can enjoy a stroll through the castle gardens following in the footsteps of Spencer, Thackery and even Fred Astaire. There is a fine art gallery in the castle and you can enjoy the charm of the towns many 18th and 19th Century buildings. A trip to the Heritage Centre is both educational and fun (there is a Boyle exploration room for the children and an exciting audio visual telling the history of the town from 636AD). Lismore is also host to an annual travel writers festival which is an occasion for lots of fun activities, it is usually held in mid June.
Dromana Drive, A scenic drive (watch out for the deer jumping across the road), passes under the Hindu Gothic gate lodge built in the 19th Century to mark the marriage of a popular local landlord and MP.
Mount Melleray, A Cistercian abbey founded in 1833 and still active, nearby there is a grotto where it is said that the Virgin Mary appeared to two children.
Coppercoast
Stretching from the picturesque village of Stradbally some 20 minutes from Dungarvan to Annestown approx. 25kms to the East, this is a spectacular coastline with numerous delightful beaches and facinating geology which together with its mining heritage has earned the region UNESCO Geopark status. Visit the engine house at Tankardstown from which copper ore was extracted more than 150 years ago. Alternatively enjoy a sparsely populated beach or have a snack or lunch at the Coppercoast Bistro (watch out for courses ranging from beach art to seaweed collecting etc).
Suir Valley Narrow Gauge Railway - Enjoy the beauty of the Suir Valley from the vantage of a narrow guage train along a 6kn stretch from Kilmeaden to Carriganore.