Co. Waterford ABC is a feature here on Social Bridge where I am identifying my highlights of this diverse county in Ireland where I was born and which has been ‘home’ for the last 26 years. There will be just 26 posts ~ one for each letter of the alphabet and I hope you will join me in discussing your views about the places, people, events, things that I select. Would you have chosen differently? In a county with such natural beauty and diversity in terms of history and heritage, one could quite easily identify 26+ highlights for each letter!
Co. Waterford is a source of incredible Inspiration for writers of different genres and has produced many notable writers over its long history.
I hope you enjoy this Podcast which I produced to celebrate the inspirational beauty and heritage of Co. Waterford as well as the many writers and festivals which are associated with the county.
Co. Waterford ABC is a feature here on Social Bridge where I am identifying myhighlights of this diverse county in Ireland where I was born and which hasbeen ‘home’ for the last 26 years. There will be just 26 posts ~ one for each letterof the alphabet and I hope you will join me in discussing your views about theplaces, people, events, things that I select. Would you have chosen differently?In a county with such natural beauty and diversity in terms of history andheritage, one could quite easily identify 26+ highlights for each letter!
Championship Hurling is arguably the most unifying force in Co. Waterford and it evokes extraordinary pride, passion and sense of ‘belonging.’
I grew up hearing all about the great Waterford Teams of 1948 and 1959 from my father who was working in Waterford City at that time. These were the years when Waterford won the All-Ireland Championship and the legendary John Keane is the name that is very much associated with that golden era. It is so fitting that Walsh Park in Waterford, which is the main hurling ground in the county, is situated on Keane’s Road.
The next golden era in Co. Waterford hurling started in 2002, the year that I happened to introduce my young son of 7 to the game here in Tramore. So many great names and players including, Paul Flynn, Ken McGrath, John Mullane Eoin Kelly, Tony Browne …..
The Waterford Team, under the management of Davy Fitzgerald, reached the final of the All-Ireland Championship in 2008. The whole county was in a frenzy of excitement as our hurling heroes squared up to the might of neighbouring Kilkenny. Even though Waterford lost, the homecoming for the team in Waterford was a night that will live long in the collective memory with Don’t Stop Believin’ echoing right along the Quay as the open top bus made its way through the thousands of supporters who turned out for the momentous occasion.
Hopes are again running very high in Co. Waterford at as our Minor Team is getting ready to play in the All-Ireland Final in Croke Park this coming Sunday.
Co. Waterford ABC is a feature here on Social Bridge where I am identifying myhighlights of this diverse county in Ireland where I was born and which hasbeen ‘home’ for the last 26 years. There will be just 26 posts ~ one for each letterof the alphabet and I hope you will join me in discussing your views about theplaces, people, events, things that I select. Would you have chosen differently?In a county with such natural beauty and diversity in terms of history andheritage, one could quite easily identify 26+ highlights for each letter!
Map of Co. Waterford (Garrarus Beach in Red. Click Map to Zoom)
Garrarus Beachismy absolute heartfelt choice over lots of other very strongcontenders for this spot in the Co. Waterford ABC series. It is a place that arguably knows me better than I know myself as I spend so much time there.
Garrarus is an incredibly beautiful and unspoilt beach about three miles fromTramore. It is a place that captures the soul with its Atlantic ruggedness, natural ‘bathing boxes,’ clear waters, stunning views of the coastline down toMine Head, sloping cliffs and perhaps, more than anything, a community ofpeople who appreciate it and understand the meaning of ‘being at one withnature.’
I’ve always loved the road down to Garrarus with its high hedgerows, perennial honeysuckle and rambling pink roses. I was asked by a woman in Washington DC a few years back if Ireland really had places where there was a combination of sea, red roses and views of the mountains and my mind instantly flew to the road down to Garrarus. It’s a road on which I’ve come to know some of the locals, including a man who walks his faithful dog every day and welcomes me with a big smile and a friendly wave of his walking stick.
Garrarus is a swimmer’s paradise and a group of people swim there all year round. It also attracts kayaking enthusiasts who explore the host of sea arches and caves in the area.
For me, Garrarus is a place where I swim practically every day of the year. It is also a place where I spent endless hours with our son as he was growing up, especially when he was in Treasure Island mode. It’s the place about which I has my first poem published and it always seems to be my magnet when life-changing events occur. For example, Garrarus was where the car automatically brought me with its waves of comfort at 5am on May 31, 2009, just after I heard that my mother had died.
I was told a while back that there used to be ‘tea dances’ on Summer Sundays on the cliff overlooking Garrarus Beach. I can just imagine the picnic baskets, parasols and stolen kisses as the sun was setting in a warm, warm place that knows how to bring people together and how to keep secrets.
Co. Waterford ABC is a feature here on Social Bridge where I am identifying my highlights of this diverse county in Ireland where I was born and which has been ‘home’ for the last 26 years. There will be just 26 posts ~ one for each letter of the alphabet and I hope you will join me in discussing your views about the places, people, events, things that I select. Would you have chosen differently? In a county with such natural beauty and diversity in terms of history and heritage, one could quite easily identify 26+ highlights for each letter! ( See All Posts in this Series:
I have been wondering for a while if I dare write about the ‘Essence’ of Co. Waterford; what are the fundamental features of this ‘home’ county of mine? Yes, I do dare and I truly hope that others will add to this bubbling pot of words that have danced off all my senses.
On February 1, I took off before sunrise to walk around Tramore Beach and Backstrand to celebrate the move into spring. So much of the essence of my Co. Waterford engulfed me in those three delicious hours. Huge waves crashed onto the shore spraying me with the salty invigorating air that I have so long associated with Co. Waterford. The grasses on the dunes glinted as the breeze combed the flowing locks of the waking beauty.
As the sun rose, my mind was drawn around Brownstown Head, passed Dunmore East and up the Estuary to Waterford City. I had sat in the Tower Hotel , late the night before, just across from historic Reginald’s Tower. I had been transfixed with thoughts of the history associated with Waterford City, the oldest city in Ireland, as I watched the traffic coming along the Quay and rounding the corner at Reginald’s Tower. Thoughts of the centrality of Reginald’s Tower to the defence of Waterford; a fleeting glimpse of my late father running towards his ‘digs’ on the Mall in the 1940s; eyes caught by the imposing statue of Thomas Francis Meagher and fascination with his connections to such places as France, Fredericksburg and Montana which have come to have meaning for me too through life’s weavings.
Reginald’s Tower, Waterford
A glance back along Tramore Beach before rounding the bend at the channel and the whole coast presented itself ~ the magic of the Copper Coast, Dungarvan, the Ring Penninsula, Ardmore ~ a wondrous stretch of coastline, each place with its uniqueness, history and colour. I wondered if Pride and Joy was safely moored at Boatstrand. Its name has long captured my imagination in a beautiful harbour that exudes Co. Waterford for me.
Walking along the Backstrand, the mountains of Co. Waterford come into view. Thoughts of Mahon Falls; the stunning scenery of the Nire Valley; West Waterford and the Blackwater Valley. Anticipation of this years Immrama Travel Writers’ Festival in Lismore; stolen visits to Lismore Castle, Mount Melleray, the old world beauty of Cappoquin.
As I near Tramore, the town that is ‘home’ is lit by the morning sun. I meet Mark Roper and Paddy Dwan, who have such passion for the Backstrand and Co. Waterford generally. Tramore continues to look down; the Racecourse stands out with its long history and at the other side of the town, above the Doneraile walk, is Tramore Tennis Club, which has such personal meaning for me and which is now the proud club of so many of Ireland’s young tennis stars.
Back on the Prom, I watch the surfers enjoying the waves and totally immersed in the very essence of this sporting county. Only the day before, I had a chance meeting with Ken McGrath, undoubtedly one of the greatest hurlers Waterford will ever see. Here’s a man who knows the full meaning of Rudyard Kipling’s words in his great poem If:
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch…
Ken McGrath has no airs and graces and is an essential part of the passion that Waterford hurling engenders.
To those who know me, it will probably come as no surprise that I was drawn out to the lay-by between Boatstrand and Kilmurrin to write this piece. Sea beneath me; mountains behind; gulls overhead; Ardkeen Stores in Waterford, which is my treasure trove for sourcing Co. Waterford produce, calling; and happy thoughts of my beloved Mount Congreve Gardens after recently seeing Tony Gunning’s Exhibition of colourful paintings at Greyfriar’s Church in Waterford.
As I write, I am surrounded by immense natural beauty and a silvery sheen on the horizon symbolises the hope, colour and buoyancy that I associate with Co. Waterford ~ past, present and future.
Co. Waterford ABC is a feature here on Social Bridge where I am identifying my highlights of this diverse county in Ireland where I was born and which has been ‘home’ for the last 26 years. There will be just 26 posts ~ one for each letter of the alphabet and I hope you will join me in discussing your views about the places, people, events, things that I select. Would you have chosen differently? In a county with such natural beauty and diversity in terms of history and heritage, one could quite easily identify 26+ highlights for each letter! ( See All Posts in this Series https://socialbridge.wordpress.com/?s=Co.+Waterford+ABC
Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. (Highlighted in Red. Click to Zoom)
Dungarvan: Historic Guide and Town Trailis a brilliant new publication which has been produced by the dynamic Waterford County Museum which is located in the heart of Dungarvan.
I was thrilled when I heard that the Guide was being prepared as Dungarvan, which has a population of approximately 8,000 people, is a beautiful vibrant coastal town which clearly has a great sense of pride in its history. I have been a regular visitor to the town over many years, holidaying, playing tennis at Causeway Tennis Club, being mentored in writing at the Old Market House Arts Centre by Grace Wells and, very importantly, visiting exhibitions and doing research at the Waterford County Museum. Every time I go to Dungarvan, I seem to find new aspects of the town that I want to explore.
Reading Dungarvan: Historic Guide and Town Trail, with its highly informative text, written by William Fraher and William Whelan, is like finding a bright light to lead one through what has made Dungarvan what it is today. There is a very succinct history of the town at the beginning of the Guide moving from the Late Stone Age when Dungarvan saw occupation right up to current time which has seen the restoration of Dungarvan Castle, the history of which dates back to 1209.
What makes this slim Guide so appealing is that it includes a Walking Trail detailing the history associated with key sites in Dungarvan and also informs us of the Audio Tour of Dungarvan for IPhone and Android. Waterford County Museum is very much to the forefront in terms of technological innovation in the Irish Museum sector and has received both national and international recognition in this field. Another aspect of the Museum’s work which is evident in the Guide is its keen interest in images of Co. Waterford. There are an amazing 5,500+ images relating to Co. Waterford in its Images Archive:
Dungarvan: Historic Guide and Town Trail profiles notable personalities from the Dungarvan area, including Professor Ernest Walton who won the Nobel Prize for Physics with Sir John Cockroft in 1951 and Sarah Purser, a key figure the Irish art world in the 2oth century. It also moves beyond Dungarvan town itself and provides information on a range of historical sites including the 15th century church at Kilrossanty and the Master McGrath Monument.
As well as being a mine of information, Dungarvan: Historic Guide and Town Trail,which retails at 10 euro, is an example of best practice in Historic Guide Books and a further example of the outstanding work which is led by the Waterford County Museum.
Co. Waterford ABC is a feature here on Social Bridge where I am identifying my highlights of this diverse county in Ireland where I was born and which has been ‘home’ for the last 26 years. There will be just 26 posts ~ one for each letter of the alphabet and I hope you will join me in discussing your views about the places, people, events, things that I select. Would you have chosen differently? In a county with such natural beauty and diversity in terms of history and heritage, one could quite easily identify 26+ highlights for each letter! ( See All Posts in this Series https://socialbridge.wordpress.com/?s=Co.+Waterford+ABC )
The Copper Coast, Co. Waterford (Highlighted in Red. Click to Zoom)
TheCopper Coastis a stretch of stunning coastline in Co. Waterford that runs for some 25 kilometres between Fenor and Kilfarrasy in the east to Stradbally in the west. It is an area steeped in geological features, history and heritage and takes its name from the 19th century copper mines that lie at its heart. The history of mining on the Copper Coast is very well documented by Des Cowman (2006) in his fascinating book: The Making and Breaking of a Mining Community: The Copper Coast, County Waterford 1825-1875+
Copper Mining Heritage Site at Tankardstown, Co. Waterford
The Copper Coast was awarded European Geopark Designation in 2001 and became a Global Geopark under the auspices of UNESCO in 2004. The Copper Coast Geopark Centre in the recently restored church in Bunmahon is a wonderful stopping point where one can learn about the many features of the Copper Coast and enjoy a snack and a chat in a hauntingly beautiful setting. http://www.coppercoastgeopark.com/GeoparkCentre.htm
Sea View from Tankardstown, Co. Waterford
Going for drives along the Copper Coast has been a fundamental part of my life since I was born and it is thestretch of coastline in the whole world that brings me the greatest sense of peace.
‘Pride and Joy’ at Boatstrand Harbour, Co. Waterford
I love its rugged, unspoilt nature and the fact that it offers such a variety of beaches, coves, dramatic views of the sea and the Comeragh mountains, quaint villages, the working harbour at Boatstrand and a year round display of seasonal flowers and foliage. Major highlights are the daffodils which line the road between Fenor and Annestown in Spring; the sea pinks that flourish in Summer, especially beween Kilmurrin and Bunmahon; and the magnificent Autumn tints that are found in Stradbally Cove. Of course, all year round, we have the gleaming yellow of wild gorse.
Stradbally Cove, Co.Waterford
There is a whole world to be explored in the Copper Coast area. Not surprisingly, it is a place that inspires creativity. The Wood Craft Shop at Boatstrand, which closed a few years back, was very special for me and I’m so glad to have lamps and clocks from there to keep the memories alive.
Sculpture by Collette O’Brien near Boatstrand, Co. Waterford
Co. Waterford ABC is a feature here on Social Bridge where I am identifying my highlights of this diverse county in Ireland where I was born and which has been ‘home’ for the last 26 years. There will be just 26 posts ~ one for each letter of the alphabet and I hope you will join me in discussing your views about the places, people, events, things that I select. Would you have chosen differently? In a county with such natural beauty and diversity in terms of history and heritage, one could quite easily identify 26+ highlights for each letter!
May of Co. Waterford with The Bay Cafe, Dunmore East (Highlighted in Red) Click on Map to Zoom
The Bay Cafe in Dunmore East is a place that I ‘discovered’ very soon after it opened about twelve years ago. I was captivated from the very beginning as The Bay Cafe is like a little oasis that nurtures all the senses. It is owned and run by David and Barbara Harris and they bring together, with apparent ease, delicious home-cooked food, warmth, creativity and a feeling of sheer love of life and community.
The Bay Cafe, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford
The Bay Cafe certainly has a superb view overlooking the harbour in Dunmore East and right across to the Hook Penninsula in Co. Wexford. Sitting in the Cafe, which describes itself as providing ‘ food with a view,’ I’m always very conscious of the beauty that is all around me: the Cliff Walk, Dunmore Woods, the thatched cottages, the Park, Fisherman’s Hall, St. Andrew’s Church …..
Vista from The Bay Cafe, Dunmore East
But the atmosphere in The Bay Cafe itself tends to take one over. There always seems to be a buzz of activity, with a mixture of locals, regulars and visitors. I invariably sit inside rather than on the benches outside. I had never really thought of this until the other day when I called in for some of the Cafe’s tasty seafood chowder.
Sophie Harris at The Bay Cafe
I realised that what kept me inside was wanting to look at the paintings and photographs that are exhibited on the walls; to hear the banter that permeates the place like the aroma of freshly ground coffee and home-baking. I also like to rummage around on the little table that serves as an information centre of all that’s happening in and around Dunmore. But, most of all, I just love being in a place where I feel at home, have happy memories and thoughts of times spent sitting at those pine tables with people who loved/love it as much as I do.
A Quiet Corner at The Bay Cafe
I know, too, that I stay inside because The Bay Cafe is, indeed, a place where people smile with true smiles from the heart.
I am setting myself a tough challenge but one that I relish. My aim is to feature my highlights of Co. Waterford, Ireland working with one choice for each letter of the alphabet. I hope this will generate lots of interest and friendly deabte as I know there is so, so much from which to chose!
As this is warm-up day. I want to post an Autumnal photograph that I took in Mount Congreve Garden last week.
SOCIAL BRIDGE ~ Jean Tubridy connecting with you from Ireland 