Discover Waterford: Trails, Gardens and Heritage

Waterford can be discovered in many different ways: along a former railway line, among gardens and wetlands, on the Copper Coast or through the city’s Viking and medieval history. When choosing a holiday rental for your trip, you can first ask yourself which experiences you want to focus on. The region offers both longer trails and mountain landscapes, as well as cultural attractions and places where nature and history come together.

Getting around by bike or on foot

The Waterford Greenway is a 46 km-long, traffic-free walking and cycling trail from Waterford City to Dungarvan. It follows the former railway line of the Great Southern and Western Railway. Along the way, the trail crosses eleven bridges and three viaducts and passes through a 400 m-long tunnel. These structures shape the route and give the trail its distinctive character. The two endpoints provide clear reference points when planning your trip around the Greenway or considering which location would make a suitable base for your plans.

The Anne Valley Walk offers a different kind of route: it connects Dunhill with the coastal village of Annestown and passes through wetlands and woodland. The entire trail is accessible to buggies and wheelchairs. Herons, kingfishers and otters can be spotted there. If you enjoy combining nature experiences with a route through varied landscapes, this is a well-defined day trip.

For a longer pilgrimage, Saint Declan’s Way connects Cashel in County Tipperary with Ardmore in County Waterford; the pilgrimage route is 115 km long. In Ardmore, the Cliff Walk passes St. Declan’s Well, a well-preserved round tower and a 12th-century cathedral. The shipwreck “Samson” and two watchtowers can also be seen from the trail: one dates from the Napoleonic era, and the smaller one from the Second World War. This route brings natural scenery and tangible traces of history together.

Coast, mountains and gardens

The Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark stretches for 25 km along the coast of County Waterford, from Fenor to Stradbally. The Copper Coast Drive runs from Tramore to Dungarvan. This makes the coastal area a distinct focus when choosing accommodation for a trip to Waterford. In the coastal village of Bunmahon, the Copper Coast Global Geopark Visitor Centre houses an exhibition on mining and geoheritage. If you want to learn about the area’s mining and geological history as well as experience the landscape outdoors, you can include both in your plans.

Inland, the Comeragh Mountains offer hikes past glacial lakes and misty cliffs, and along high ridges with far-reaching coastal views. This is a different kind of outing from a coastal drive or a visit to cultural attractions.

Mount Congreve Gardens cover 70 acres of densely planted woodland, a four-acre walled garden and 16 kilometres of paths. The grounds offer plenty of space to visit gardens with a variety of landscape settings. Mount Congreve House and Gardens are in Kilmeaden, County Waterford, and are described as one of the “Great Gardens of the World”. Afternoon tea is served in the restored Tack Room, surrounded by gardens, trees, birds and wildlife. In Tramore, the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens tell the story of Hearn’s life across 2.5 acres in the centre of town. The landscapes and rock formations reflect the cultures and mythologies of the places where he lived; the gardens overlook Tramore Bay and beach.

City history and special occasions

In Waterford City, Reginald’s Tower, Ireland’s oldest urban building, features an exhibition on the city’s Viking origins and medieval past. The Waterford Treasures: Medieval Museum is in the Viking Triangle. Its exhibits include the Cloth of Gold vestments, considered Europe’s only complete surviving pre-Reformation collection. These sites offer a clear cultural focus for travellers who want to learn about Waterford’s history as well as its landscapes and outdoor activities.

In Lismore, the Lismore Heritage Centre offers a range of guided walking tours through the streets from Monday to Friday. The Lismore Castle Experience is a virtual reality tour of privately owned Lismore Castle. Together with the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, Ireland’s summer opera festival, these offer a variety of cultural experiences: the festival is held annually in the Blackwater Valley, County Waterford, and combines opera and classical music with curated culinary experiences at historic venues, including Lismore Castle and Dromore Yard.

Nature and community are also at the heart of annual events. Comeraghs Wild Festival is an annual celebration of nature, culture and community in County Waterford. Its programme includes outdoor adventures, guided walks, music, art and cultural experiences. When planning a visit, it is worth checking the specific festival programme and dates; regardless, the region’s mountains, gardens, trails and historic attractions offer many ways to shape your stay.

More places in Waterford: Dunmore East, Waterford, Dungarvan, Tramore, Cappoquin, Aird Mhór, Ballymacarbry, Woodstown, Lismore, Harrylock, Bunmahon, Rathgormack, Ringville.

For the broader travel overview: Munster.