Visit Waterford launches a four-day ‘slow travel experience’ itinerary for tourists

The emphasis is on the visitor’s experience, an immersion into the insights of Ireland’s oldest City and the county’s localised offering during their stay.

Characterised by reducing mobility and using sustainable travel means it is advised that visitors arrive at Waterford by train, bus or bicycle into Waterford City and traverse the county from East to West via the Waterford Greenway.

Additionally, visitors can use the local link bus service which connects to Dunmore East, Dungarvan, Ardmore, Lismore and the main bus line to Tramore which all operate daily on the half-hour or hour, and on which you can take your bicycle onboard.

Spending four 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 said, “We are delighted to launch Waterford’s slow travel experience so as to ensure that visitors enjoy the art of a more rounded and valued travel experience making for a more meaningful connection with our communities, our food, culture and environment.

“By choosing locally run tours and shopping in the local markets, eating locally produced food not only ensures a more immersive experience, it also supports the preservation of local culture.

“Whether you have time for a satisfying, sustainable four-day itinerary for Waterford or even more time for a slower travel itinerary, you’ll leave this beautiful destination refreshed, fascinated by its charm and depth of heritage rather than frazzled and stressed.”

Day One

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 1,000 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 medieval wonders and experience elegant Georgian architecture.

As part of your tour, you can also upgrade your ticket to enjoy a Freedom of Waterford pass which offers you 48-hour access to take a deep dive into your favourite era of Ireland’s heritage with complete access to the Medieval Museum, Bishop’s Palace, The Irish Museum of Time and The Irish Silver Museum.

Located directly opposite the Waterford Treasures collection of museums is the House of Waterford Crystal home to exquisitely designed and expertly crafted crystal creations since 1783.

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, this fully guided tour takes you to The Irish Wake Museum followed by a Whiskey Tasting at the closeby ‘The Reg’ where you can enjoy a dram of the finest locally produced Whiskey from Waterford Distillery having walked through the almshouse, or even take a tour of the Waterford Whisky distillery itself.

Day Two

Day two will see you hopping aboard your own bicycle or a hire bike from the Waterford Greenway hire companies, which will see you commence the 46km route of the Waterford Greenway that runs to the west of the county.

Along the way you can take a stop at Mount Congreve Gardens described as ‘A World of Garden’.

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.

It is home to one of the largest collections of plants in Ireland. It features 16km of walking trails and an on-site café ‘The Stables’ by The Pantry at CLIFF offering a menu filled with local provenance and an abundance of freshly grown produce from the gardens.

Conde Nast Traveller recently tipped Mount Congreve Gardens in their ‘Best Place To Go’ 2024 plus the New York Times includes Mount Congreve Gardens in their 52 Places to Go for 2024, plus the Irish Independent’s ‘FAB 50 Places to Stay’, and it was recently awarded the ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards 2024.

Upon leaving Mount Congreve Gardens and returning to the Greenway you will shortly happen upon the beautiful Waterford Suir Valley Railway, its heritage exhibitions of the former railway line, and its current project of a steam engine restoration.

You can enjoy delving into the history of the line all the while enjoying some delicious fresh coffee and homemade cakes from their very quaint Carriage Cafe.

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 Three

A Taste Waterford Tour on day three offers a chance to explore the beautiful rolling Comeragh Mountain and 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, and the stunning Mahon Falls await. You will 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 Four

On day four, 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 is a private residence and the Cavendish family are often at home. The 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 five-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.

If you’ve relaxed so much that you’re finding it hard to leave then an exploration of the Waterford Garden Trail is a must.

Check out the stunning Lafcadio Hearne Japanese Gardens in Tramore or enjoy the gardens and a cafe stop at the beautiful Curraghmore House and Gardens, the home of the Marquis of Waterford – there are a host of 14 to choose from.

If you’d like a guided experience then a tour with Alan from Wild With Walshe is a must, from gardening to Coastal Heritage, Natural History and Foraging walk: s a trip with this local historian and field ecologist makes for a fascinating day out.

For more on Waterford’s Slow Travel Experience and accommodation offers see www.visitwaterford.com.