Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [169]
Near Dungarvan, back towards Tramore, is Clonea Strand, a beautiful patch of pristine beach.
Festivals & Events
The area’s abundant fresh produce is celebrated during mid-April’s Waterford Festival of Food (www.waterfordfestivaloffood.ie), featuring cookery workshops and demonstrations, talks by local producers at their farms, and a food fair.
Over the early May bank-holiday weekend, Dungarvan pubs and hotels host the Féile na nDéise (www.feilenandeise.com), a lively traditional music and dance festival that attracts around 200 musicians.
Sleeping
Cairbre House ( 058-42338; www.cairbrehouse.com; Abbeyside; s/d €46-56, d €84-100; closed mid-Dec–mid-Jan; ) Blazing with red flowers in summer, this oft-recommended B&B is set on an acre of riverside gardens a 1km stroll from the town centre. The gardens come into their own at breakfast, providing many of the ingredients including fragrant herbs.
Mountain View House ( 058-42588; www.mountainviewhse.com; O’Connell St; s €55-75, d €90-110; ) This beautiful Georgian house, built in 1815 and set in walled grounds, has great high-ceilinged rooms and views of the Comeragh Mountains. Rates drop if you forego breakfast (though with choices like porridge drizzled with warm honey on the menu, you may not want to). Walk for five minutes down O’Connell St from Gratton Sq; it’s signposted on the left before the technical college.
Powersfield House ( 058-45594; www.powersfield.com; Ballinamuck West; s €60-70, d €100-110; ) Energetic mother, chef and cookery instructor Eunice Power lives in one half of this Georgian home with her family, and has opened four beautifully decorated rooms in the other for guests. Breakfast is a veritable feast of Eunice’s jams, chutneys and other delicacies from her garden, as are her three-course evening meals (€25 to €35, by arrangement). It’s a five-minute drive north of town on the road to Clonmel.
Tannery Townhouse ( 058-45420; www.tannery.ie; Church St; s €60-80, d €100-120; Feb-Dec; ) The Tannery Restaurant (right) has applied its impeccable taste to this boutique guesthouse, which spans two buildings in the town centre. Its 14 rooms are small but perfectly formed, and have fridges stacked with juices, fruit and pastries so you can eat a continental breakfast in peace.
Lawlor’s Hotel ( 058-41122; www.lawlorshotel.com; TF Meagher St; s €60-80, €90-150; ) Across the road from the tourist office, the landmark, lemon-yellow Lawlor’s was praised by William Makepeace Thackeray in 1843 as a ‘very neat and comfortable inn’. Today, its swish renovations extend from its intimate, artfully lit restaurant (mains €15 to €25) to its contemporary, creamy-toned bedrooms, many of which have harbour views.
Seahorse Suites ( 058-41153; www.seahorsesuites.com; Grattan Sq; r per night 1/2/3 nights €120/80/60; ) Overlooking the action on Grattan Sq, these three apartments are equipped with kitchenettes; alternatively, nip downstairs to the cobalt-blue Ormond’s Cafe (mains €7.50 to €11; 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday) for breakfast. Each apartment occupies a whole floor: two have two double beds, and one a single and a double. Limited private parking can be arranged nearby.
Eating
Cakes & Bakes ( 058-48858; Davitt’s Quay; dishes around €6.50; 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 11am-6pm Sat) The aroma of baked goods straight from the oven is likely to entice you inside this cosy little cafe, whether to snack on the premises or pick up items to take away.
Nude Food ( 058-24594; O’Connell St; mains €7.50-14.50; 9am-6pm Mon-Wed, 9am-9.30pm Thu-Sat) Jazz provides a soulful soundtrack for sipping Illy coffee or tucking into a wholesome ploughman’s platter or veggie burger. Deli items including artisan breads made on the premises, marinated vegetables and salads and organic juices are perfect for a gourmet beach picnic.
Interlude ( 058-45898; Davitt’s Quay; mains €12-22; 10.30am-9pm Tue & Wed, 10.30am-9.30pm Thu-Sat, 10.30am-6pm Sun) Weird knobbly furniture and indie music gives this Irish–European quayfront cafe an underground