About the Walk:
Dunmore East is a picturesque fishing village at the mouth of Waterford Harbour. Looking across the water you will find Hook Head LightHouse which is one of the oldest operating lighthouses in the world. Dunmore East Harbour is a safe haven for the fishing fleet from Atlantic storms which often ravage the south coast of Ireland in the winter months. The walk includes Dunmore East Harbour and the Coastal Path that connects Dunmore East to the picturesque Portally Cove. The walk to Portally is easy to moderate but the return walk is a little more difficult as there are is a steep enough uphill climb. The path is situated above many inlets carved out of the conglomerate red sandstones, known locally as pudding stone that was used to build the harbour in the 1820s. Also watch out for the Kittiwake colony, the Fulmar, a seagull-like sea bird, the red-legged Chough, an increasingly rare bird, Cormorants and Shags, the areas rich flora and fauna and the occasional seal popping its head up close inshore or basking in the sun on the rocks.The scenery is stunning and the walk is safe at no point are you too near the cliff but do keep a close eye on children during the walk. The views along the walk are both breathtaking and stunning. I brought a flask of tea and sat on the bench almost halfway along the walk to appreciate the views.
Directions:
Follow the signs for Dunmore East and Passage through Waterford City onto the Dunmore Rd/R683. Continue to follow the R683 (through approx. three roundabouts). Keep right at the fork in the road at the petrol station (left is for Passage East) onto the R684. Stay on the R684 (approx. 10km). On entering Dunmore East follow the main road (R684/Dock Road) past the left for ‘The Strand’. Pass the Azzuro restaurant on the right-hand-side and the park on the left. The trailhead is located on the left hand side of the road, behind the old convent past the Harbour overlooking the flatrocks below. Parking isn’t plentiful near the entrance but there is parking on the roadside overlooking the Harbour.
Trail Metrics |
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Distance: | 3km (one way) |
Duration: | 1 hour, 30 minutes (one way) |
Difficulty: | Moderate |
High Point/Ascent: | 30m/0m |
Terrain: | Flat clay path |
Minimum Gear: | Wind proof clothing |
Nearest Town: | Dunmore East |