Photo essay: County Waterford’s Copper Coast drive

Perhaps the most brilliant thing about my recent time spent in Waterford unsuccessfully tracing my ancestry (more about that tomorrow) is that I was able to check out some areas of Ireland that were pretty sparse on tourists. Actually, I’m pretty sure we were the only tourists around for miles, given the travel season and the cold weather.

I probably would never have explored this area if it weren’t for my research that led me to Waterford. The Copper Coast is an area of the county that stretches from Tramore to Dungarvan along route 675.

I woke up at 7 AM with Scott banging on my hotel room door, saying we had to hit the road early to take advantage of the sunshine. I was cranky about it at first, but then we showed up at Kilfarrasy Beach and had the entire place to ourselves. Coppery sand, zero wind, and no interruptions except the crashing of waves. You’re pretty, Ireland.

If you look close enough, you can see Scott taking photos among the rocks.

The abandoned Tankardstown Copper Mine, complete with roaming cattle.

Having a rental car in Ireland seriously made a 100% difference…I’ve never experienced freedom like that before. We zipped and zoomed around backroads and through the countryside, and eventually we came upon the ruins of Dunhill Castle. Again, not a soul in sight…so we climbed the steep steps to the top of the hill and wandered around relics from the early 1200s. Just like that. No admission fees, no line-ups. Just a big ass castle sitting in the countryside.

The la Poers (Power) were an incredibly unpopular family who lived here. They repeatedly attacked Waterford City in the 14th century and were responsible for a whole slew of violence in the area. Note to self: never piss off any of my friends with the last name “Power.”

One of the tourism folks led us to Ardmore, where we found St. Declan’s Well. This isn’t really along the Copper Coast, but it was part of our daily trip, so the hell with it. Declan established this hermitage site close to an old monastery, and it dates back to the 5th century. It’s still used as a site of worship today, and it’s said that the well cures your ailments (including mangled limbs and the like). I dipped my face into the cold water, but I did not emerge looking like Megan Fox, so I’m not much of a believer.

This Round Tower of St. Declan’s Church in Ardmore (again, not exactly the coast) was a sort of reprieve for monks when the vikings attacked the area. The monks would take their treasures and hide at the top of the tower, where apparently they remained untouched by the vikings. Scott and I questioned the intelligence of such actions because 1) Why the hell didn’t the vikings just tip that thing over? and 2) weren’t the monks just kinda pigeon-holing themselves? Whatever. The vikings might have been brutal, but perhaps they weren’t all that bright.

Gotta love a good creepy cemetery shot. In Ardmore, same place as the Round Tower.

Not much beats a walk along the Atlantic. I think about this time I really started feeling at home.

Copper Coast whaddup! Ever been?

  • April 02 2013

    I never knew this place existed, but I’m glad I do now. It looks pretty amazing, as does the rest of Ireland.

  • April 02 2013

    I never knew this place existed, but I’m glad I do now. It looks pretty amazing, as does the rest of Ireland.

  • April 03 2013

    Gorgeous pics!

  • April 05 2013
    Val

    Looks like a wonderful place. I can’t wait for you to see Sligo

  • April 05 2013
    Val

    Looks like a wonderful place. I can’t wait for you to see Sligo

  • April 05 2013
    Val

    Looks like a wonderful place. I can’t wait for you to see Sligo

  • April 05 2013
    Social Media Marketing, Market

    wow!!! awesome pic…

  • April 11 2013

    Candice, you’re making me get super excited about my trip to Ireland this fall! Gorgeous photos, but a shame that your research didn’t lead you anywhere about your family tree…I had a similar experience in Germany last year, but I did find one place where my ancestors lived and worked. (They were farmers.)

  • April 11 2013

    Candice, you’re making me get super excited about my trip to Ireland this fall! Gorgeous photos, but a shame that your research didn’t lead you anywhere about your family tree…I had a similar experience in Germany last year, but I did find one place where my ancestors lived and worked. (They were farmers.)

  • April 11 2013

    Candice, you’re making me get super excited about my trip to Ireland this fall! Gorgeous photos, but a shame that your research didn’t lead you anywhere about your family tree…I had a similar experience in Germany last year, but I did find one place where my ancestors lived and worked. (They were farmers.)

    • April 18 2013

      Yay! I’ve been lagging on the blog posts sadly, as it’s been super hectic here. Let me know if you have any questions about your travels…I’ve covered fair ground since arriving!

  • April 13 2013
    Stephen Schreck

    Great pictures Candice! I cannot get enough of this country. It was the first place I traveled abroad, and I’ve had the travel bug ever since. Can’t wait to visit again.

  • April 13 2013
    Stephen Schreck

    Great pictures Candice! I cannot get enough of this country. It was the first place I traveled abroad, and I’ve had the travel bug ever since. Can’t wait to visit again.

  • April 13 2013
    Stephen Schreck

    Great pictures Candice! I cannot get enough of this country. It was the first place I traveled abroad, and I’ve had the travel bug ever since. Can’t wait to visit again.

  • April 13 2013
    Stephen Schreck

    Great pictures Candice! I cannot get enough of this country. It was the first place I traveled abroad, and I’ve had the travel bug ever since. Can’t wait to visit again.

  • April 13 2013
    Stephen Schreck

    Great pictures Candice! I cannot get enough of this country. It was the first place I traveled abroad, and I’ve had the travel bug ever since. Can’t wait to visit again.

  • May 12 2013
    Meg Walsh

    Pity I didn’t know you were there. You could have called to see my brother who lives near Dungarvan……and he’s a Walsh too, like me! However, we are the Kilkenny Walshes and there are loads of us in Wexford too. I figure anyone who crossed the Irish Sea was called “Welsh” or “Welsh”
    Good luck to ya!

  • May 12 2013
    Meg Walsh

    Pity I didn’t know you were there. You could have called to see my brother who lives near Dungarvan……and he’s a Walsh too, like me! However, we are the Kilkenny Walshes and there are loads of us in Wexford too. I figure anyone who crossed the Irish Sea was called “Welsh” or “Welsh”
    Good luck to ya!

    • June 22 2013

      Ah! Don’t worry, I’ll be back. Loved the Irish hospitality.

  • June 21 2013
    Teri

    Hi Candice! Thanks for the wonderful information! The Copper Coast is listed as one of the best place to retire to. As such, I’ve been researching it and although this may seem a bit trivial, I’m finding there doesn’t seem to be many trees in this part of Ireland, was that your experience while you were there? Thank you!

    • June 22 2013

      Good question Teri, I don’t remember it being particularly forested, but it didn’t feel sparse either. The north was definitely more forested!

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