Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [167]
Regular art exhibitions take place at the cliff-top 19th-century Coast Guard Station ( 051-393 833; Love La; 9am-4.30pm Mon-Fri), which has been turned into a community arts centre.
Stretching 25km west of Tramore, the rugged coastline of the Copper Coast European Geopark ( 051-396 686; www.coppercoastgeopark.com; park office 9.30am-5pm Mon-Fri) takes its name from the 19th-century copper mines outside Bunmahon. Among the area’s scalloped coves and beaches are geological formations dating back 460 million years, including quartz blocks, fossils, and former volcanoes. Free one-hour guided walks are available in July and August, or you can pick up a map from the park office in Bunmahon. The park encompasses Annestown, which has the dubious distinction of being the only village in Ireland without a pub.
Activities
Tramore’s beach break is great for surfers of all levels, including beginners, thanks to slow-forming waves. The town has three year-round surf schools which also offer eco-walks around the Back Strand, one of Europe’s largest intertidal lagoons, and various other activities. Surfing lessons cost around €45 for a group class and €120 for private tuition. Equipment hire is around €25 including wetsuits and (much-needed) boots, gloves and hoods during winter.
Oceanics ( 051-390 944; www.oceanics.ie; Red Cottage, Riverstown, Tramore) Run by husband-and-wife hippie surfers.
T-Bay Surf & Wildlife Centre ( 051-391 297; www.surftbay.com) Ireland’s largest.
Freedom Surf School ( 086 391 4908; www.freedomsurfschool.com; The Gap, Riverstown, Tramore) Also runs lessons in blokarting (sail-powered beach buggying).
To explore the Copper Coast’s caves, coves and cliffs in sea kayaks, contact friendly Mick O’Meara at Sea Paddling ( 051-393 314; www.seapaddling.com; one-/two-day tour from €95/165).
Roaring rapids, splash slides and pirate ships are all part of the water park Splashworld ( 051-390 176; www.splashworld.ie; Railway Sq; adult/child €10/7.50), as well as ‘balmy temperatures all year-round’. It’s open for about three hours a day during the week, and six at weekends.
The first European horserace meeting of the year takes place on 1 January at Tramore Racecourse ( 051-381 425; www.tramore-racecourse.com; Graun Hill), one of many events throughout the year. To saddle up yourself, contact Tramore’s pony trekking and riding centre, Lake Tour Stable ( 051-381 958).
Sleeping
Newtown Caravan & Camping Park ( 051-381 979; www.newtowncove.com; Dungarvan Coast Rd; campsites €8-15; Easter-Sep) About 2km out of town, this family-run affair is the best local campsite. Electricity is an extra €4; showers cost €1.
Beach Haven House B&B & Hostel ( 051-390 208; www.beachhavenhouse.com; Waterford Rd; hostel dm/d €20/50, B&B s €30-60, d €40-80, studio €70-90; ) One of the very few B&Bs in town to open year-round, Californian Avery and his Irish wife Niamh’s B&B has eight, cream-coloured rooms with skylights, private bathrooms and seashell decorations. Next door, their well-equipped hostel has spotless rooms and dorms, a common area opening onto a BBQ patio, books and board games for rainy days, and laundry facilities. Adjoining the hostel are six stylish studio apartments with kitchenettes.
O’Shea’s Hotel ( 051-381 246; www.osheas-hotel.com; Strand St; s/d from €55/110) O’Shea’s rooms, while attractive, are not as classy as the flower-emblazoned, black-and-white exterior suggests. Still, this family-run hotel near the beach offers good value and a coveted location close to the beach.
Also recommended:
Atlantic Breeze B&B ( 051-330 095; Lower Branch Rd; s €50-70, d €70-90; approx May-Sep; ) Vine-covered 200-year-old Georgian house with original period features.
Glenart House B&B ( 051-381 236; Tivoli Rd; s €50-60, d €70-100; approx May-Sep; ) Cream-coloured 1920s home handy for the beach.
Eating