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Mahon Falls coming down the rock face at the head of the Comeragh valley

Port Láirge

Waterford

Ireland's oldest city, a long greenway and a coast of old mines.

  • Munster
  • 20 places
  • 10 events in the next 30 days
  • 40 more listings

The list

Top 10 things to do in Waterford

Waterford is the oldest city in the country and the greenway out of it runs 46km to Dungarvan on an old railway line, through a tunnel and over three viaducts. The coast south of that is coves, sea stacks and nineteenth century copper mines.

  1. The round tower and graveyard at ArdmoreArdmore Round Tower and CathedralMonastic site · ArdmoreThirty metres of round tower stand beside a ruined cathedral with carved stone arcading, up on the hill above the village.
  2. Mount Congreve House at the heart of its gardens near KilmeadenMount Congreve GardensGarden · WaterfordA woodland garden and a walled garden on the estate above the Suir at Kilmeaden.
  3. A path running under a dark avenue of yews in the gardens at LismoreLismore Castle GardensHouse and gardens · LismoreWalled and woodland gardens inside the castle demesne, with a contemporary art gallery in the west wing.
  4. The old signal tower standing on the headland above the cliff walk at ArdmoreArdmore Cliff WalkWalk · ArdmoreAbout 5km of coast loop from the village around Ram Head, past a wrecked crane ship and a holy well.
  5. Mahon Falls coming down the rock face at the head of the Comeragh valleyMahon FallsWaterfall · DungarvanThe waterfall comes down the sandstone face of Coumahon in the Comeraghs, about twenty minutes on foot from the car park.
  6. The bay and harbour at Dunmore East, County WaterfordDunmore EastVillage · Co. WaterfordThatched cottages and red sandstone cliffs at the mouth of Waterford Harbour, and the boats still go out.
  7. Cliffs and a small cove on the Copper Coast with a sea stack belowCopper Coast GeoparkCliffs · DungarvanCoves, sea stacks and what is left of the nineteenth century copper mines, on the coast between Tramore and Dungarvan.
Show 10 more
  1. The wide flat strand at Tramore with the town rising behind itTramore BeachBeach · TramoreLong sandy strand backed by dunes, south of Waterford city.
  2. The drive up to Curraghmore House between its treesCurraghmore House and GardensHouse and gardens · PortlawThe house and formal garden sit on a large estate at Portlaw, with a shell house built in the 1750s in the grounds. The estate opens from May to the end of September.
  3. The curved white front of the Medieval Museum in WaterfordWaterford Medieval MuseumMuseum · WaterfordBuilt around two surviving medieval chambers in the Viking Triangle, holding the city charter roll and the vestments.
  4. Waterford Bishops Palace, County WaterfordBishop's PalaceMuseum · WaterfordThe Georgian house on the Mall shows the city's 18th and 19th century collections.
  5. The nave of Christ Church Cathedral in Waterford, its columns and plasterwork leading to the altarChrist Church CathedralCathedral · WaterfordThe Georgian cathedral stands on the site of a Viking church in the Viking Triangle, with a carved cadaver tomb inside.
  6. The painted vaulted ceiling of St Carthage's Cathedral in LismoreSt Carthage's CathedralCathedral · LismoreThe 16th century Magrath tomb inside is carved with apostles, and the spire is by the Pain brothers.
  7. A timber bridge over the stream in the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, TramoreLafcadio Hearn Japanese GardensGarden · TramoreLinked gardens in Tramore laid out to follow the writer Lafcadio Hearn's route from Ireland to Japan.
  8. The round towers and gateway of Dungarvan Castle on a sunny dayDungarvan CastleCastle · DungarvanThe Norman fortress beside the harbour has a polygonal shell keep and a restored barrack block in the yard. It opens from late April to the end of September.
  9. A footbridge over the stream on the Coumduala loop in the Nire ValleyNire Valley Coumduala LoopWalk · BallymacarbryWaymarked hill walk from the Nire car park up into the Comeragh corries above Ballymacarbry.
  10. Clean sand and seaweed covered rock at the edge of Clonea BeachClonea BeachBeach · DungarvanSandy beach on Dungarvan Bay a few kilometres east of the town.

Where they are

Tap a pin to open the place.

House of Waterford CrystalReginald's TowerArdmore Round Tower and CathedralMount Congreve GardensLismore Castle GardensTramore BeachCurraghmore House and GardensWaterford Medieval MuseumBishop's PalaceChrist Church CathedralSt Carthage's CathedralLafcadio Hearn Japanese GardensDungarvan CastleNire Valley Coumduala LoopClonea Beach

15 of the 20 places are on the map. The rest are listed above.

What’s on in Waterford

Coming up, soonest first.

Today, Friday 23rd October

  1. Fri23 OctWicked Woods - The ReturnSETU Arena · Waterford City23rd to 26th October

Tomorrow, Saturday 24th October

  1. Sat24 OctChildren’s Event: Waterford’s Weird and Wicked PastWaterford Treasures: Medieval Museum24th to 30th October
  2. Sat24 OctParanormal, Past and PresentWaterford Treasures: Medieval Museum

Monday 26th October

  1. Mon26 OctChildren's Halloween WorkshopWaterford Treasures: Irish Wake Museum26th to 30th October
  2. Mon26 OctChildren’s Event: Fangs & FablesWaterford Treasures: King Of The Vikings26th October to 1st November

Tuesday 27th October

  1. Tue27 OctCrime, Grime & Graveyards - Urban Underbelly Evening TourWaterford Treasures: Medieval Museum27th to 30th October

Friday 13th November

  1. Fri13 NovChildren's Christmas TrailWaterford Treasures: Medieval Museum13th November to 24th DecemberFree
  2. Fri13 NovWaterford Winterval 2026Waterford City13th November to 23rd DecemberFreeFestival

Everything coming up in Waterford

Towns

Towns with enough in and around them for a page of their own.

More to see in Waterford

40 more places from Fáilte Ireland’s own listings, linked to their own sites where they have one.

Castles and houses5

  1. Cappoquin HouseCappoquin
  2. Lismore Castle Art GalleryLismore
  3. Dromana GateCo. Waterford
  4. Dunhill CastleCo. Waterford
  5. Theatre Royal ToursCo. Waterford

Beaches8

  1. Ardmore BeachArdmore
  2. Ballyquin BeachArdmore
  3. Counsellors' Strand, Dunmore EastDunmore East
  4. Woodstown BeachWoodstown
  5. Curragh BeachCo. Waterford
  6. Goat Island BeachCo. Waterford
  7. Kilfarrassey BeachCo. Waterford
  8. Whiting Bay BeachCo. Waterford

Walks1

  1. Waterford Garden TrailWaterford City

Mountains and cliffs1

  1. Waterford Treasures Museums: Freedom PassCo. Waterford

Abbeys and churches3

  1. Stradbally Medieval ChurchStradbally
  2. Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, WaterfordCo. Waterford
  3. St Patrick’s Gateway CentreCo. Waterford

Ancient sites1

  1. Ballysaggartmore TowersCo. Waterford

Gardens and parks5

  1. Cappoquin House GardensCappoquin
  2. Dromana House GardensCappoquin
  3. Tourin House & GardensCappoquin
  4. Waterford Nature ParkWaterford City
  5. Ballyscanlon ForestCo. Waterford

Museums13

  1. Blackwater DistilleryBallyduff
  2. Joan Clancy GalleryDungarvan
  3. The Old Market House Arts CentreDungarvan
  4. Waterford County MuseumDungarvan
  5. Lismore Heritage CentreLismore
  6. Coastguard Cultural Centre TramoreTramore
  7. Fairbrook House Garden and MuseumCo. Waterford
  8. Garter Lane Arts CentreCo. Waterford
  9. Goma Contemporary GalleryCo. Waterford
  10. The Edmund Rice International Heritage CentreCo. Waterford
  11. Waterford Treasures: Irish Museum of TimeCo. Waterford
  12. Waterford Treasures: Irish Silver MuseumCo. Waterford
  13. Waterford Treasures: Irish Wake Museum - Rituals of DeathCo. Waterford

Other places3

  1. Ardmore Open Farm & Mini ZooArdmore
  2. Viking Long Boat and Dragon Slayer SwordCo. Waterford
  3. William Vincent Wallace PlazaCo. Waterford

Music in Waterford

Trad sessions, venues and festivals.

Where to hear it

Sessions come and go: check with the pub before you travel.

  1. Bar and Restaurant at the Haven HotelPub with trad sessions · Dunmore East
  2. The Enterprise BarPub with trad sessions · Dungarvan
  3. The LocalPub with trad sessions · Dungarvan
  4. Uluru Outback Bar & RestaurantPub with trad sessions · Dunmore Rd
  5. The Reg WaterfordPub with live music · Waterford
  6. Garter Lane Arts CentreTheatre and arts centre · Waterford
  7. The Old Market House Arts CentreTheatre and arts centre · Dungarvan
  8. Theatre RoyalTheatre and arts centre · The Mall

Music on across Ireland

Where to stay in Waterford

21 places on Fáilte Ireland’s register of approved accommodation: the four and five star hotels and guest houses, plus hostels, campsites and historic houses.

  1. Cliff House Hotel5-star hotel · Ardmore
  2. Waterford Castle Hotel and Golf Resort4-star hotel · Ballinakill
  3. The Park Hotel and Leisure Centre4-star hotel · Dungarvan
  4. Faithlegg House Hotel4-star hotel · Faithlegg
  5. Majestic Hotel4-star hotel · Tramore
  6. Fitzwilton Hotel4-star hotel · Waterford
  7. Granville Hotel4-star hotel · Waterford
  8. Tower Hotel and Leisure Centre4-star hotel · Waterford
  9. Viking Hotel Waterford4-star hotel · Waterford
  10. Waterford Marina Hotel4-star hotel · Waterford
  11. Gaultier LodgeHistoric house · Woodstown
  12. Hanora's Cottage4-star guest house · Ballymacarbry
  13. Newtown Farm Country House4-star B&B · Ardmore
  14. Ashleigh4-star B&B · Butlerstown
  15. Sea Court4-star B&B · Tramore
  16. Samuels Heritage4-star B&B · Waterford
  17. St Declan's Way HostelHostel · Cappoquin
  18. Bayview Caravan and Camping Park4-star camping park · Dungarvan
  19. Casey's Caravan and Camping Park4-star camping park · Dungarvan
  20. Dunmore East Holiday Park4-star camping park · Dunmore East
  21. Newtown Cove Caravan and Camping Park4-star camping park · Tramore

Camping in Waterford and the rest of Ireland

Where to eat and drink in Waterford

47 restaurants, pubs and cafés listed with Fáilte Ireland. A list of who registered, not a ranking, linked to their own sites where they have one.

  1. Bianconi Restaurant at the Granville HotelRestaurant
  2. Bodéga Restaurant & Wine BarRestaurant
  3. Burzza RestaurantRestaurant
  4. Café GoaRestaurant
  5. Café LuciaCafé
  6. Espresso WaterfordRestaurantFacebook page
  7. Everett’s RestaurantRestaurant
  8. Geoff's Café BarPubFacebook page
  9. Hobson's Restaurant at The Tower HotelRestaurant
  10. Hook & Ladder Café WaterfordCafé
  11. House of Waterford CaféRestaurant
  12. Pier 37 Bar & Grill at The Tower HotelRestaurant
  13. Restaurant at the Fitzwilton HotelRestaurant
  14. The New Ship Restaurant at Dooley's HotelRestaurant
  15. The Park Lodge CaféRestaurantFacebook page
  16. The Reg WaterfordRestaurant
  17. The Stable Yard Food HallRestaurant
  18. The Waterfront Restaurant at the Waterford Marina HotelRestaurant
  19. Uluru Outback Bar & RestaurantPub · Ardkeen roundabout
  20. House Restaurant at the Cliff House HotelRestaurant · Ardmore
  21. Oceanfront Bar & Restaurant at the Cliff House HotelRestaurant · Ardmore
  22. Whitehorses RestaurantRestaurant · ArdmoreFacebook page
  23. Hanora's CottageRestaurant · Ballymacarbry
  24. Engine HouseRestaurant · Bunmahon
  25. Barron’s Bakery and Coffee HouseRestaurant · CappoquinFacebook page
  26. Richmond House RestaurantRestaurant · Cappoquin
  27. Jack Meade's Bar & Beer GardenRestaurant · Cheekpoint
  28. 360 CookhouseRestaurant · Dungarvan
  29. Anchor Bar DungarvanPub · DungarvanFacebook page
  30. Quealy's BarPub · Dungarvan
  31. The Enterprise BarPub · DungarvanFacebook page
  32. The Lady BellePub · DungarvanFacebook page
  33. The LocalPub · Dungarvan
  34. The Marine BarPub · Dungarvan
  35. The Tannery RestaurantRestaurant · Dungarvan
  36. Azzurro RestaurantRestaurant · Dunmore East
  37. Bar and Restaurant at the Haven HotelRestaurant · Dunmore East
  38. The Strand Inn - Seafood RestaurantRestaurant · Dunmore East
  39. Grow HQCafé · Farronshoneen
  40. Coach House CoffeeCafé · Kilmacthomas
  41. Revolution Craft Beer & Whiskey BarPub · The Apple Market
  42. Bridgie Terries Bar & RestaurantRestaurant · The PikeFacebook page
  43. The Esquire & Raglan RoadRestaurant · Tramore
  44. The Vee CafeRestaurant · TramoreFacebook page
  45. Munster Room Restaurant at Waterford Castle HotelRestaurant · Waterford
  46. The Imperial Garden Chinese RestaurantRestaurant · Waterford
  47. The Riverside CottageRestaurant · Waterford

Getting to Waterford

By air
Cork Airport, Dublin Airport
By rail
Station at Waterford Plunkett, on the lines to Dublin and to Limerick.
By road
The M9, N25, N24 and N72.
By ferry
A car ferry crosses the estuary from Passage East to Ballyhack.

Questions

What are the best things to do in Waterford?

Our top three are Waterford Greenway, House of Waterford Crystal and Reginald's Tower. The full list of twenty is at the top of this page, and every place on it has a page of its own.

What can you do in Waterford for free?

Walks, beaches and open ground cost nothing to visit. On our list that includes Waterford Greenway, Ardmore Cliff Walk, Tramore Beach and Nire Valley Coumduala Loop. Check parking and access with the place before you go.

What is on in Waterford?

There are 17 events listed in Waterford over the months ahead. See them all.

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Guides for a trip to Waterford

Longer reads for planning.

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