County Waterford

Diverse County Waterford harbours seaside settlements along its sandy coastline, from pretty fishing villages to surf meccas. You'll also find historic churches, cathedrals and castles, a warren of walking trails in the beautiful Nire Valley, concealed among the Comeragh and Monavullagh Mountains, and lively Waterford city, with its maze of medieval lanes and well-preserved Georgian architecture.

Explore County Waterford

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout County Waterford.

  • Ruins

    St Declan's Monastery

    The ruins of Ireland's oldest Christian settlement occupy a striking setting on a hill above Ardmore, strewn with gravestones both ancient and new. The…

  • Museum

    Medieval Museum

    Housed in a stunning modern structure that incorporates several medieval buildings and part of the city wall in its basement (all on display), this museum…

  • Factory

    House of Waterford Crystal

    This large modern complex combines a retail shop and cafe with a factory offering a 90-minute tour that shows how world-famous Waterford crystal is…

  • Gardens

    Lismore Castle Gardens

    Although Lismore Castle itself is not open to the public, the 3 hectares of ornate and manicured gardens are well worth a visit. Thought to be the oldest…

  • Nature Reserve

    Copper Coast Geopark

    Inscribed on Unesco's World Heritage list in 2004, this 20km stretch of rugged coastline, centred on the village of Bunmahon, takes its name from the…

  • Cathedral

    St Carthage's Cathedral

    William Thackeray commented on the prettiness of the edifice of Lismore's 17th-century cathedral in 1842 after visiting, and that was before the addition…

  • Museum

    Reginald's Tower

    Ireland's oldest complete building and the first to use mortar, 13th-century Reginald's Tower, the city's key fortification, is an outstanding example of…

  • Historic Building

    Curraghmore Estate

    The 10-sq-km Curraghmore Estate has belonged to the family of Lord and Lady Waterford since the 12th century. Its lavish gardens incorporate the whimsical…

  • Ruins

    Ballysaggartmore Towers

    One of Ireland's most striking architectural follies sits 3.5km northwest of Lismore in woodland that was once the demesne of Arthur Keily-Ussher, a harsh…

  • Historic Building

    Dromana Gate

    The Dromana Drive from Cappoquin to Villierstown, 9km to the south, follows the Blackwater valley through the Dromana Estate. At a bridge over the River…

  • Museum

    Bishop's Palace

    The Bishop's Palace, a Georgian mansion dating from 1741, covers Waterford's history from 1700 to 1970 and displays a wide-ranging selection of city…

  • Cathedral

    Christ Church Cathedral

    Christ Church Cathedral is Ireland's only neoclassical Georgian cathedral. Designed by local architect John Roberts, it was built on the site of an 11th…

  • Historic Building

    Cappoquin House & Gardens

    This magnificent 1779 Georgian mansion with formal gardens overlooking the River Blackwater is the private residence of the Keane family, who have lived…

  • Visitor Centre

    Copper Coast Geopark Centre

    The old church uphill from the Geological Garden in Bunmahon houses an exhibition about the history and geology of copper mining on the Copper Coast,…

  • Cathedral

    Holy Trinity Cathedral

    The sumptuous interior of the city's Roman Catholic cathedral has a carved-oak baroque pulpit, painted pillars with Corinthian capitals and 10 Waterford…

  • Museum

    Lismore Heritage Centre

    A 30-minute audiovisual presentation at the town's heritage centre takes you from the arrival of St Carthage in AD 636 to the present day, via the…

  • Castle

    Dungarvan Castle

    Ongoing renovation is helping to restore this stone fortress to its former Norman glory. The oldest part of the castle, once inhabited by King John's…

  • Beach

    Tramore Strand

    Tramore's broad, 5km-long strand is backed by 30m-high sand dunes at the eastern end. The Blue Flag–rated beach is patrolled by lifeguards from June to…

  • Brewery

    Dungarvan Brewing Company

    Dungarvan's craft brewery turns out the lipsmackingly hoppy Helvick gold blonde ale, the sweeter, fruitier Copper Coast red ale, and the Waterford…

  • Beach

    Ballyquin Beach

    If you're looking for a bit of beautiful seclusion, you'll find it on Ballyquin Beach, home to tidal rock pools and a wide arc of white sand. It's 5km…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in County Waterford.

  • Activities