12 Dunmore East Village, Killea, Beaches, places to eat, Dunmore East Harbour and fishing/sailing boats, water sports etc. Co. Waterford, Ireland

SCENES from Holidays in County Waterford

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Notes on Dunmore East

Dunmore East is a picturesque village situated at the entrance to Waterford Harbour in Co. Waterford.  The name Dunmore (Dun Mor) means "The Great/Big Fort". Traces of earth work of the old prehistoric fort can be seen near the old pilots station on the cliff above the harbour pier.  Dunmore East is a popular and fashionable scenic holiday resort with its neat thatched cottages, clean beaches, parks, walks, tennis courts and other activities in offer.

PLEASE LEAVE NOTHING HERE EXCEPT YOUR FOOTPRINTS and most people do and respect Dunmore East and its beaches for their beauty, safety and friendliness.

See also page 25 for more pictures around Dunmore East harbour and coastal walking

The family friendly councillors beach Dunmore East, a good picnic and swim spot and blue flag beach strand too.

Counsellor's Strand, our favourite holiday beach in Dunmore East.

The main beaches at Dunmore East - Dunmore Strand and the Strand Pub

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The tide is well in, Dunmore East Strand

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The Strand Inn, a great place to eat outside in the summer by Dunmore East Strand, a handy pub and beach combination.

	The Strand Inn, a great place to eat outside in the summer by Dunmore East Strand, a handy pub and beach combination.

The Strand Inn, Dunmore East

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The safe and delightful beaches of Dunmore East, great for traditional family outings to the seaside, no need for computer games here!

A view of a cruise liner from Dunmore East Strand beach.

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Near the tennis courts in Dunmore East and the yachts out in the bay.

The tennis courts and children's play area in Dunmore East.

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Walking in the woods above Dunmore East

The coast near Dunmore East in the Tramore direction (See the lovely cliff walk)

Killea, high above Dunmore East

Left: The ruins of the medieval Killea church high above Dunmore East.

Right: The colourful Aggie Hayes pub in Killea, a quaint old Irish pub and good music venue, across the road from the ruined church.

The ruin in the graveyard of Killea Church, part of the old town.

What was it? You get a commanding view of the River Suir estuary as it meets the sea.

Was it a fortified tower house? It is a ruined medieval church.

The lower arch has been converted to a grotto.

Killea Church of the Holy Cross, a very traditional Irish catholic Church with its own quiet unassuming dignity.

The interior of Killea RC Church in Dunmore East. Open all day, not just for Sunday services.

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The Church of Ireland, St Andrew's Church in the newer town part of Dunmore East.

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The Dunmore East golf course overlooks the River Suir as it widens into its estuary - so, even if you having a bad game of golf, at least the view is great!

Some old tower, looks of medieval origin and it is! This is the remains of the old Norman Castle in Dunmore East, probably built around 1200 AD. About 1641 the village was in the ownership of Lord Power when it was retained as a Cromwellian settlement.

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The Seacliff Holiday Homes, part of Trident Holiday Homes near the Dunmore East golf course.

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Also in the Dunmore East golf club complex was the Lighthouse Restaurant and Bar, a great place for a meal and drinks with stunning views across to Hook Head Lighthouse.

It also functioned as an art gallery for local artists and has a play area for children too.

It is now called Blackfriars coffee and still serves any passing tourist, the Dunmore East golf club, Dunmore East Holiday Homes collectively known as the Dunmore East Holiday and Golf Resort.

It is now the HILLTOP CAFE BAR in 2024

and functions in the bar of Dunmore East Golf Club

What next !!!!

Our favourite place to eat in Dunmore East

There are several cafes, bistros and delis above the harbour e.g. the Bay Cafe and Gourmet Foods.

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A view across to the Hooke Head peninsular from the golf course in Dunmore East.

	Dunmore East Village and Harbour, County Waterford, south-east Ireland: The seaside village of Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, South-East Ireland, is well renowned for its excellent restaurants, bars and accommodation to suit all tastes and prices! and seafood specialities, often fresh from the harbour. It has several good clean beaches, cliff walks and a busy working harbour. The Strand Inn, Dunmore East is right next to the main beach in this popular and delightful seaside village. It has a seafood restaurant and is a popular friendly pub with great pints, open fires, live music in the summer months.
	Powers Bar is the oldest family run bar "steeped in a seafaring atmosphere". It also is one of the live venues for Irish traditional music in Dunmore East.
Dunmore East's Dingley's shop is now called INDULGE, good snacks, deli and WiFi available, overlooking the harbour, provides-sells a wide variety of products and services. They pride themselves on promoting local goods and produce. Fresh sandwiches and rolls are served all day and lovely icecream too!
The Bay Cafe is by Dingley's and looks out over the harbour and is a good place for big snacks! It offers good freshly cooked food daily with views to match if you can get a window seat!
	O'Neill's Supermarket, Dunmore East, caters for much of your self-catering needs with the produce of the bakery, hot deli and sandwich bar.
The Haven Hotel is across from the tennis courts and the grounds look out over Waterford Harbour. Loots of rooms with private bathrooms, casual dining menu served daily, carvery lunch every Sunday, bars and dining areas with sea views, locally sourced traditional food at reasonable prices, children welcome, indoor and outdoor children's play area.
	Trident Holiday Homes Four Star - excellent self-catering  holiday cottages by the side of the golf course. The Dunmore East Golf Club has a restaurant that is open to non-members.
	O'Shea's Fish and Ships 'shop' just up from the Strand
	The Azzurro is a family run bar and restaurant by St Andrew's Church. The food has an Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with daily specials. It offers a children's menu, early bird deals, tapas etc.

See also page 25 for more pictures around Dunmore East harbour and cliff walk.

12b. Dunmore East Harbour and fishing/sailing boats etc., Co. Waterford SCENES from IRELAND * County Waterford In Smith's History of Waterford, the village is referred to as a prominent fishing port in 1745. The fishermen's homes were located in the lower village down by where the Strand Inn is now and the fishing boats launched from the Strand before the harbour was built - the original pier was built/finished ~1824-30. In the Spring the smaller fishing boats fish for salmon, mackerel, shrimp and lobster. See also page 12 and page 25 for more pictures around Dunmore East   Dunmore East Harbour The hard working Dunmore East Harbour - busy with yachts, fishing boats, sailing dingies etc. (see pictures further down) - here the harbour is viewed from above the boatyard in 2005. You can start the wonderful scenic cliff walk from the headland car park   TOP OF PAGE   Lots of yachts anchored in Dunmore East Harbour TOP OF PAGE Left: The original east harbour pier wall of Dunmore East, now a safe walkway. Right: Just up the road from Dunmore East Harbour is the handy East Pier fish and chips shop - popular with tourists from the cruise ships!           TOP OF PAGE The breakwater of Dunmore East Harbour, now extended as illustrated below.   The recently extended breakwater is a great place to park up in Dunmore East for a relaxing view of the River Suir estuary.   Looking out over the River Suir estuary and an anchorage for the many yachts and it has become a very popular location for water sports and in particularly sailing dingies.         Part of Dunmore East harbour wall protecting the harbour entrance, before extension done. Water sports at Dunmore East Lots of yachts and sailing dingies ...   ... and canoes. Some more recent (2022) pictures of Dunmore Adventure cafe and water sports facilities centre   Dunmore Adventure The Slipway Shop Cafe Activities and bookings Water sports and fun activities and a climbing wall.   TOP OF PAGE Canoeists in Badgers Cove, Dunmore East 'Parked' yachts by the Dunmore East sailing club.   Yachts, canoeists and water sport fun activities in Stony Cove, Dunmore East harbour TOP OF PAGE An important sea bird kittiwake nesting colony exists on the cliffs above Dunmore East Harbour.   The kittiwakes seem of a much more sublime character than the vicious larger gulls!           A few crashing waves around! TOP OF PAGE   An old observation post on the cliffs above Dunmore East, its just near the old pilot lookout station on the headland above the harbour   P&O Cruises - the cruise ship ADONIA calls in to Dunmore East TOP OF PAGE

Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship visits Dunmore East

Notes on Dunmore East

Dunmore East is one of County Waterford’s most attractive coastal villages — a place where an Iron Age fort, a long fishing tradition, and 21st‑century seaside tourism blend into a compact, colourful settlement of thatched cottages, beaches, cafés, pubs, and water‑sports centres. Below is a structured, fully grounded guide based on the latest available sources, with only brief mentions of the harbour and cliff walk as requested.

Origins & Historical Development

From Iron Age promontory fort to medieval manor

• The name Dún Mór (“Great Fort”) comes from an Iron Age promontory fort at Shanoon / Black Nobb, built on a narrow cliff‑top projection for defence.
• After the Norman arrival, the area passed through knightly families; King Henry II granted permission for a manor between 1171–1189, confirmed by King John in 1203.
• By the 14th century, the manor was held by the de Boitler and Le Flemming families.

17th–18th centuries: fishing village emerges

• Around 1640, Lord Power of Curraghmore built a castle overlooking the strand; one tower survives.
• By 1745, Dunmore East was recorded as a fishing port, with fishermen’s cottages clustered in the Lower Village.
• A fleet of 50 fishing boats was noted in 1776.

19th century: early tourism & village growth

• By 1824, Dunmore East was described as a “delightful and fashionable watering place”, with thatched cottages rented to summer visitors.
• The village layout — Upper Village, Lower Village, and Killea — took shape during this period.

20th–21st centuries: fishing + tourism

• Dunmore East remained a key fishing community and evolved into a modern seaside resort with beaches, cafés, pubs, holiday parks, and water‑sports centres.
• Population in 2022: 1,731 residents.

Beaches & Coastal Leisure

Dunmore East has several small, attractive coves and bathing spots:

Lawlor’s Beach

• Sandy, sheltered, located in the Lower Village. Good for families.

Counsellor’s Strand

• Another popular sandy cove near the Strand Inn

Rocky coves & angling spots

• The Upper Village coastline is rocky and known for shore angling.

Water Activities & Water‑Sports Facilities

Dunmore East is one of the southeast’s best centres for water‑based recreation.

Dunmore Adventure

• Located by the harbour (brief mention).
• Offers kayaking, sailing, stand‑up paddleboarding, and the well‑known Wibit inflatable water park.

Swimming & snorkelling

• The sheltered coves make for safe swimming in calm conditions.

Angling

• Rock fishing from the Upper Village coastline.

Boating & diving

• The village’s maritime setting supports diving and boating tours (general inference based on harbour activity).

Cafés, Restaurants & Food Options

Dunmore East has a lively food scene for a village of its size.

Azzurro

• Mediterranean/Italian‑style restaurant near the woods entrance.

The Cliff (Thai cuisine)

• Located near the Strand Inn; open Wed–Sun.

Star House Chinese Restaurant

• By the harbour; open daily.

Fish & Chips

• East Pier takeaway (daily).
• O’Shea’s Fish & Chips van on Glenville Terrace.

Cafés (general)

• The village typically has seasonal cafés and coffee spots near the beaches and in the Lower Village (inference based on tourism patterns; not directly cited).

Pubs & Nightlife

Dunmore East is known for its friendly, traditional pubs.

Lively pubs

• The village is noted for having “plenty of lively pubs” ideal for evenings after beach or water‑sports activities.

(Specific pub names are not listed in the search results, so only verified general statements are included.)

Facilities for Residents & Visitors

Shops & Essentials

• Centra (daily 6:30–22:00) and Costcutter (daily 7:00–21:00) near the harbour.

Accommodation

• Holiday parks, B&Bs, and hotels (inferred from tourism profile).

Recreation

• Dunmore East Golf Club (9‑hole course; holiday resort attached).
• Woodland walks with fairy doors, accessible from Azzurro or Coxtown.

Transport Connections

Bus Éireann Route 354

• Runs from Carrick‑on‑Suir → Waterford City → Dunmore East.
• From Waterford’s Clock Tower, buses run every couple of hours, taking ~30 minutes to Dunmore East.

Connections onward

• From Waterford City you can connect to:
  • Tramore (local bus services)
  • National routes to Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Wexford, and beyond (inferred from Waterford’s transport hub status).

Local transport

• No local taxi service within the village.

Dunmore East Today: A Summary

• A 1,700‑person coastal village combining ancient heritage, fishing culture, and modern seaside tourism.
• Known for its thatched cottages, beaches, water‑sports, good food, and lively pubs.
• Offers strong bus links to Waterford and onward travel.
• Continues to balance its identity as both a residential community and a holiday destination.

See  page 25 for more pictures around Dunmore East

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All My Irish Scenes and Notes

Notes on Dunmore East

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