Oonagh’s guidebook
Food scene
Excellent for lunch or dinner. Very popular spot which often has music.
10 locals recommend
The Spinnaker Bar & Restaurant
Excellent for lunch or dinner. Very popular spot which often has music.
Great for snacks, lunch and dinner. Also has a bar, spectacular terrace overlooking the sea and playground.
Lighthouse Bar & Restaurant Dunmore East
Great for snacks, lunch and dinner. Also has a bar, spectacular terrace overlooking the sea and playground.
Bustling bar/restaurant with beautiful outdoor area right beside the beach.
13 locals recommend
The Strand Inn
Lower VillageBustling bar/restaurant with beautiful outdoor area right beside the beach.
Azzurro Restaurant
Dock RoadA Mediterranean themed restaurant serving lunch and dinner.
One of the most beautiful buildings in Dunmore East in a wonderful setting overlooking the park and see beyond. It has a bar, restaurant and beautiful gardens.
The Haven Hotel
Dock RoadOne of the most beautiful buildings in Dunmore East in a wonderful setting overlooking the park and see beyond. It has a bar, restaurant and beautiful gardens.
Fabulous food to cook at home. Also open for coffee, lunch and some evenings.
6 locals recommend
Lemon Tree Catering
Coxtown RoadFabulous food to cook at home. Also open for coffee, lunch and some evenings.
Bar
Known locally as the Butchers. This is the heart of Dunmore popular with locals and visitors alike. Often has music in the evenings. No food served.
Power's Bar
Dock RoadKnown locally as the Butchers. This is the heart of Dunmore popular with locals and visitors alike. Often has music in the evenings. No food served.
Activities
Sailing and water activities for children and adults. Children can avail of their adventure camps (available to book on a daily or weekly basis). It also has kayaking and the ever popular Wibit Aquapark. https://www.dunmoreadventure.com/
21 locals recommend
Dunmore Adventure
Sailing and water activities for children and adults. Children can avail of their adventure camps (available to book on a daily or weekly basis). It also has kayaking and the ever popular Wibit Aquapark. https://www.dunmoreadventure.com/
Horseracing – country race meetings are very popular where everyone is welcome. The August festival is the highlight. If you’ve never been to a race meeting, now’s the time to go! See the website for more information https://www.tramore-racecourse.com/
7 locals recommend
Waterford & Tramore Racecourse
Horseracing – country race meetings are very popular where everyone is welcome. The August festival is the highlight. If you’ve never been to a race meeting, now’s the time to go! See the website for more information https://www.tramore-racecourse.com/
Coasteering – a combination of adventure swimming, exploring gullies and caves, and cliff jumping. Sheilbaggan centre is located in Ramsgrange (approx. 40 mins from Dunmore) and offers activity camps daily and weekly. www.shielbagganoec.com
15 locals recommend
Shielbaggan Outdoor Education Centre
Coasteering – a combination of adventure swimming, exploring gullies and caves, and cliff jumping. Sheilbaggan centre is located in Ramsgrange (approx. 40 mins from Dunmore) and offers activity camps daily and weekly. www.shielbagganoec.com
Right on our doorstep is Dunmore East Golf Club. A family friendly course, with bar, restaurant and playground. Other courses nearby include Faithlegg, Waterford Castle (beautiful castle hotel which is accessed via a river ferry), the world famous Tramore Golf Club and Williamstown, which is more manageable for not-so-great golfers!
6 locals recommend
Dunmore East Golf Club
Right on our doorstep is Dunmore East Golf Club. A family friendly course, with bar, restaurant and playground. Other courses nearby include Faithlegg, Waterford Castle (beautiful castle hotel which is accessed via a river ferry), the world famous Tramore Golf Club and Williamstown, which is more manageable for not-so-great golfers!
Sightseeing
Tramore - a seaside town located about 10k from Dunmore, it has numerous attractions including a fun fair (usually opens at 12 noon); a water park; surfing (book at one of the many surf shops on the seafront); a fabulous beach and Japanese gardens. Hidden away are some lovely restaurants. Check Tripadvisor for recommendations.
30 locals recommend
Tramore
Tramore - a seaside town located about 10k from Dunmore, it has numerous attractions including a fun fair (usually opens at 12 noon); a water park; surfing (book at one of the many surf shops on the seafront); a fabulous beach and Japanese gardens. Hidden away are some lovely restaurants. Check Tripadvisor for recommendations.
Passage East ferry takes visitors from Passage East village to Ballyhack and is the best way to explore the neighbouring county of Wexford. The ferry runs every 15 minutes and finishes at 10pm in Summer. Passage East village has coffee shops and an extensive playground with café.
10 locals recommend
Passage East Ferry station
Passage East ferry takes visitors from Passage East village to Ballyhack and is the best way to explore the neighbouring county of Wexford. The ferry runs every 15 minutes and finishes at 10pm in Summer. Passage East village has coffee shops and an extensive playground with café.
Duncannon – is a charming village with restaurants, cafes and a stunning beach where kite surfing and paddle boarding are available http://hookedkitesurfing.ie/. In August, there is the famous sand sculpting festival. The magnificent fort is currently closed, but worth a visit to view from outside. On the edge of the village is the well known country house hotel, Dunbrody. Visitor are welcome and they do a lovely afternoon tea.
27 locals recommend
Duncannon Fort
Duncannon – is a charming village with restaurants, cafes and a stunning beach where kite surfing and paddle boarding are available http://hookedkitesurfing.ie/. In August, there is the famous sand sculpting festival. The magnificent fort is currently closed, but worth a visit to view from outside. On the edge of the village is the well known country house hotel, Dunbrody. Visitor are welcome and they do a lovely afternoon tea.
The Hook Peninsula – The Hook has the oldest operating lighthouse in the world and can be seen from our house. Spend a day exploring the Hook with its coves and small beaches; Loftus Hall (with ghost tours, café, extensive outdoor spaces / playground; ruined Templar church; and the lighthouse. It’s possible to go to the top of the lighthouse. There is a nice walk along the headland; art classes; play and picnic area and a shop. Allow a full day to enjoy the Hook at its best.
158 locals recommend
Hook Lighthouse
The Hook Peninsula – The Hook has the oldest operating lighthouse in the world and can be seen from our house. Spend a day exploring the Hook with its coves and small beaches; Loftus Hall (with ghost tours, café, extensive outdoor spaces / playground; ruined Templar church; and the lighthouse. It’s possible to go to the top of the lighthouse. There is a nice walk along the headland; art classes; play and picnic area and a shop. Allow a full day to enjoy the Hook at its best.
Stunning display of the best Waterford Crystal. There is a shop (bring your wallet!) and lovely cafe on site. A great option for a rainy day.
62 locals recommend
House of Waterford Crystal
28 The MallStunning display of the best Waterford Crystal. There is a shop (bring your wallet!) and lovely cafe on site. A great option for a rainy day.
Traveler advice
Don't miss
The Cliff Walk
Accessed at the Flat Rocks the cliff walk is an exhilarating walk which can be done in stages. Although it’s a cliff walk, it is not difficult. You’ll be rewarded with panoramic sea views, seabirds and wildflowers. See http://www.walkingroutes.ie/989-Dunmore-East-Coastal-Walk.html for detailed maps.
Don't miss
The Woods Walk
Woods Walk – accessed at several points, the best place to start is the gate beside Azzuro’s restaurant. It’s a looped walk of 45 minutes and is graded easy.
Don't miss
The Viking Quarter
Waterford city is a Viking settlement, full of history, museums and walking tours. See http://www.waterfordtreasures.com/ for loads of things to do. It also has Waterford Crystal (which has a lovely restaurant) and quirky local shops. A favourite rainy day activity is to go to the Book Centre in John Roberts Square (right in the centre of the city) – excellent range of books, magazines and small gifts, along with a small coffee shop and nooks to while away an hour browsing.
Don't miss
Local beaches
Beaches – Tramore and Woodstown are lovely. Wexford offers many different beach options, too many to mention. Check here for more info https://www.visitwexford.ie/directory-category/beaches/ Our favourites are Grange at Fethard-on-sea, and Baginbun at Ramstown.
Don't miss
Horseriding
There are several horse riding facilities in the area and all are well rated. I've never tried them myself so I can't recommend any specific one.
What to pack
Be prepared
We can get four seasons in one day, so bring suncream, bathing suits but also good shoes for walking, a coat or jacket for rainy weather and an umbrella.