Coast & beaches Family-friendly Food & drink Walking
Bikes, beaches and brilliant food
Dungarvan has quietly become one of the best weekend towns in Ireland. It sits on a wide harbour beneath the Comeragh Mountains, with a castle on the quay, a good choice of restaurants and pubs, and the western end of the Waterford Greenway right in town. East along the coast lies the Copper Coast, a UNESCO Global Geopark of coves, sea stacks and abandoned mine buildings, and to the south, the village of Ardmore and its round tower.
It’s an easy weekend: just over two hours from Dublin and an hour from Cork, with enough to do to fill three days without ever rushing.
Cycling the Waterford Greenway
The Waterford Greenway runs for 46 km along an old railway line from Waterford city to Dungarvan, and the Dungarvan end has some of its best bits. Hire a bike or an e-bike in town and head east: within half an hour you’ll cross the Ballyvoile viaduct and roll through the old railway tunnel at Durrow, a cool, dark 400 metres that kids find hugely exciting. Keep going to Kilmacthomas for its stone viaduct and the café at the old workhouse, then turn back or arrange a shuttle.
Bike hire companies will drop you at one end and collect you at the other, so you can ride the whole thing one way. Allow most of a day for the full route, with stops. The path is flat and well surfaced, so it suits younger cyclists and e-bike first-timers too. For more on the Waterford end, see our Waterford Greenway guide.
The Copper Coast
The Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark stretches about 25 km along the coast between Kilfarrasy and Stradbally, and the name comes from the copper mines that operated here in the 1800s. Drive the coast road and stop often: the ruined engine house at Tankardstown stands on the clifftop like something out of Cornwall, the beach at Bunmahon is backed by dunes, and there are small coves and swimming spots like Kilmurrin and Ballydowane all along the way. The Geopark visitor centre, in a converted church at Bunmahon, explains the 460 million years of geology underfoot.
Ardmore and Helvick Head
Twenty-five minutes south of Dungarvan, Ardmore is a pretty seaside village said to be the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland, linked to St Declan. Its 12th-century round tower is one of the best preserved in the country, and the Ardmore cliff walk, a loop of about 4 km, passes St Declan’s Well, a church ruin and an old shipwreck. On the way, the Irish-speaking village of An Rinn and Helvick Head have lovely views back across the bay to Dungarvan.
In the town
- Dungarvan Castle: a 12th-century castle on the harbour, with free guided tours in the summer months.
- The quay and Abbeyside: walk around the harbour and across the bridge to Abbeyside for views of the town and the Comeraghs.
- Mahon Falls: about 30 minutes inland, an easy walk up a valley in the Comeragh Mountains to an 80-metre waterfall.
- Clonea Strand: a long sandy beach a few minutes east of town, ideal for families.
Where to eat and drink
Dungarvan punches well above its weight for food. The Tannery, Paul Flynn’s restaurant in a former leather warehouse, has been one of Ireland’s best-known restaurants for over two decades, and the town also hosts the West Waterford Festival of Food every spring. Expect excellent local seafood, Comeragh lamb and, if you’re lucky, a Waterford blaa (a soft, floury bread roll with protected status) for breakfast. The pubs along the quay are perfect for a post-cycle pint.
When it rains
Head for the castle, the Geopark visitor centre or Waterford city, 45 minutes away, with its House of Waterford Crystal and Viking Triangle museums. Or book a long lunch and wait it out. Dungarvan’s restaurants were made for exactly that.
Which area to stay in
Stay in Dungarvan town to walk to the restaurants and the greenway. Ardmore is quieter and lovely for a romantic break by the sea, and the Copper Coast villages have self-catering cottages if you want a base with a view.
A two-night plan
Friday: arrive, walk the quay and have dinner in town.
Saturday: cycle the greenway east to Kilmacthomas and back, then a pint on the quay.
Sunday: the Copper Coast drive in the morning, then Ardmore for the cliff walk and lunch before heading home.
Dungarvan is perfect for the May and June bank holidays, and it’s a great choice in autumn when the greenway is quiet. For more of the south coast, see Cobh and East Cork.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Waterford Greenway?
It’s 46 km from Waterford city to Dungarvan. Most people cycle part of it, but bike hire companies offer shuttles so you can do the whole thing one way.
Can you swim on the Copper Coast?
Yes. Coves like Kilmurrin, Ballydowane and Bunmahon are popular in summer. Check local safety signs and conditions, as some beaches have strong currents.
Is Dungarvan good for families?
Very. The greenway is flat and traffic-free, the tunnel is a big hit with kids, and Clonea Strand and the Copper Coast coves are ideal for beach days.
Can I get to Dungarvan without a car?
There’s no train to Dungarvan, but buses run from Waterford and Cork. Trains run from Dublin to Waterford, about two hours.
Where we’d stay
A clifftop hotel in Ardmore with sea views from every room and a pool.
Family-friendly hotel with a leisure centre, a short walk from the town centre.
Stylish rooms beside Paul Flynn's restaurant in the middle of Dungarvan.
We may earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Getting there
Just over two hours from Dublin, an hour from Cork.
- By car: about two hours 15 minutes from Dublin via the M9 and Waterford, or around an hour from Cork on the N25.
- By train and bus: trains from Dublin Heuston to Waterford take about two hours, then a bus to Dungarvan takes about an hour.
- Getting around: hire bikes for the greenway; you’ll want a car for the Copper Coast and Ardmore.
Timetables change, especially on bank holidays, so check with the operator before you travel.
