Visit Waterford has announced a brand new 4-day ‘Slow Travel Experience’ for visitors planning to enjoy the wonders of Waterford with an emphasis on the visitor’s experience, and an immersion into the insights of Ireland’s oldest City and the county’s localised offering during their stay.
Spending 4 or more days in Waterford will enable you to get off the beaten path exploring pretty coastal villages, and exploring local communities all the while supporting small indigenous businesses.
Commenting on the launch of the new immersive experience, Chair of Visit Waterford Sara Dolan says, “We are delighted to launch Waterford’s slow travel experience and ensure that visitors enjoy the art of a more rounded and valued travel experience making a more meaningful connection with our communities, our food, culture and environment.”
DAY1
The best way to start your four-day slow travel itinerary in Waterford is to begin in the City founded in 914 AD by Viking Ragnall (the grandson of Ivar the Boneless) where you can immerse yourself in the depths of Ireland’s historical beginnings. Take a guided EPIC walking tour of the City with Waterford Treasures, where you will discover 1000 years of history in 1000 paces in Ireland’s first open-air museum. The tour highlights include an opportunity to learn of the City’s Vikings foundations, be inspired by mediaeval wonders and experience elegant Georgian architecture.
Bedding down for the night in Waterford City offers an opportunity to take a step back in time and enjoy a ‘Wake and Whisky’ experience where visitors can take the rare opportunity to explore one of the most iconic parts of Irish culture, through the eyes of an expert, on this fully guided tour at The Irish Wake Museum followed by a Whisky Tasting at the closeby ‘The Reg’ where they can enjoy a dram of the finest locally produced Whisky from Waterford Distillery after walking through the almshouse and even a tour of the Waterford Whisky distillery itself.
DAY 2
Day 2 will see you hopping aboard your own bicycle or a hire bike from the Waterford Greenway hire companies will see you commence the 46km route of the Waterford Greenway which runs to the West of the county. Along the way you can take a stop at Mount Congreve Gardens described as ‘A World of Gardens’. The entire collection at Mount Congreve features plants from every continent in the world consisting of more than 3,000 different trees and shrubs, more than 2,000 rhododendrons, 600 camellias, 300 Acer cultivars, 600 conifers, 250 climbers and 1,500 herbaceous plants.
Once you reach the point where the Greenway meets the majestic coastline of Waterford at Clonea, you can enjoy some rejuvenation at the HotPod taking some time to enjoy a dip on the beautiful Clonea Beach followed by a sauna session on the strand.
Back on the bike and just 6km to the vibrant market town of Dungarvan to take some overnight respite in Dungarvan town and enjoy an opportunity to try the wide variety of multi-award-winning restaurants and dining experiences plus some wonderful traditional Irish music and song which are greatly influenced by the county’s own Gaeltacht region in the adjacent village of An Rinn. In addition, a local guided walking tour experience is on offer with Stíofán from Steps Back Thru Time during which you will enjoy intriguing local stories, a depth of heritage and a bit of craic along the way!
DAY 3
A Taste Waterford Tour on day 3 offers a chance to explore the beautiful rolling Comeragh Mountain & Knockmealdown Mountain ranges in Waterford on the ‘Mountain Splendour Taste Tour’. Your local guide Johnny Landers will pick you up at your accommodation and take you on a guided Taste Waterford journey of discovery where you will meet Waterford’s celebrated local producers and earn an understanding of what it’s like to live and work in this stunning landscape taking in spectacular views, mountain lakes, and a distinctive mix of heather, grasses, herbs and animals. You will enjoy a foraging trail from the lands and a visit to Clotilde Kiely of Comeragh Mountain Farm, where you’ll hear about sustainable farming, the stunning Mahon Falls await, where you’ll meet sheep farmer Willie Drohan with a chance to try lamb when in season and enjoy an array of local food along the way.
DAY 4
On day 4 taking a trip to the most westerly point of the county via the local link bus service is a chance to explore the stunning Lismore Castle and Gardens and Lismore Heritage Centre where you can enjoy experiences that will give you a full tour of the heritage town. The 360° experience is the only way to glimpse this beautiful castle. It’s a private residence and the Cavendish family are often at home and Lismore Heritage Centre will tell you the story of the Book of Lismore and the Bishop’s Crozier that were hidden in the walls of the castle for almost two centuries.
Tipping on to the nearby seaside village of Ardmore via the local link bus service offers an opportunity for some pampering and relaxation at the 5-star Cliff House Hotel with its stunning sea view hotel with destination spa and Michelin star restaurant where guests can enjoy an elegant unparalleled experience, top-notch facilities, and outstanding dining.
