Sponsored By
Driven by Adventure, inspired by Defender. In the second of this new travel series, we visit Waterford to uncover the region’s most road-trip-worthy, design-led destinations.
Where to stay
Mount Congreve Gardens
Only 15 minutes from Waterford city, but seemingly a world away, is the Mount Congreve Gardens – 70 acres of lush gardens on the bank of the River Suir. Guests can sleep under the stars in cotton bell tents or, in true glamping style, a rounded eco-friendly forest cabin. Upon arrival, expect a welcome hamper of local goodies, antique furnishings and modern amenities like underfloor heating, a private hot tub and arched windows that flood the space with natural light. A great option for couples or families alike, there is plenty to do – rent bikes to explore the nearby greenway or gardens, call into the award-winning Stables Cafe for a tasty seasonal menu featuring local produce or browse the nearby Foxford Store selling Irish homeware and luxury bed linen – which also adorns each cabin’s cosy double bed.
The Strand Inn Dunmore East
A contemporary inn with a relaxed beach style, The Strand Inn has fifteen stylish bedrooms offering panoramic ocean views and all the home comforts. Discreetly set in a unique position, with the terrace being the perfect vantage point to admire the views across to Hook Head, this family-run destination is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of exploring.
The Cliff House Hotel
One of the finest small luxury five-star hotels in Ireland, Cliff House Hotel seems to defy gravity, clinging to a cliff on the south side of Ardmore Bay. The 39-room Irish seaside boutique hotel also features an intimate Irish destination spa and a one-Michelin-star restaurant. From sun-drenched terraces and private balconies, you can see Ardmore’s golden sands, lobster pots and dolphins that play out on the water.
Where to eat
The Beach House Tramore
Any trip to Waterford would be incomplete without visiting Tramore’s Beach House – a renovated Victorian townhouse serving up the county’s best seafood. From the people behind Fish Shop and Bar Pez, this award-winning eatery offers delectable favourites like beer-battered John Dory or haddock with homemade tartare sauce, Woodstown Bay oysters, Duncannon smoked salmon or Bay Mussel Curry, with freshly baked bread or chips. Pair this delightfully salty meal with a craft beer or crisp organic white from their ample cellar list and the experience is complete.
The Tannery Dungarvan
Since Paul and Máire Flynn opened The Tannery in 1997, it has become one of the most original and welcoming experiences in Irish food. Serving up fresh Waterford produce and putting a mouth-watering focus on flavour, the restaurant is just a stone’s throw from the Copper Coast and Comeragh Mountains. Paul Flynn is a chef, restaurateur, cookery school owner, teacher, TV presenter, writer and personality.
House Restaurant at The Cliff House
House Restaurant provides a Michelin-star dining experience in Ireland’s Ancient East. This one-of-a-kind gourmet voyage offers a sumptuous evening meal with special focus on seafood and a genuine celebration of Ardmore’s culinary heritage. Showcasing the very best of local and seasonal produce, dining at House Restaurant is more than just a meal — it’s an invitation to experience the harmony between nature and cuisine.
Where to shop
Ardmore Pottery & Gallery
In 1983, on a picturesque cliff overlooking the Atlantic, Mary Lincoln found the perfect spot to open Ardmore Pottery & Gallery. Inspired by the landscape’s striking colour and shapes, here is where her earthenware collection was born. Now, decades later, it’s become a family business (Mary runs the shop with her two daughters Sarah and Katie) that supports fellow Irish crafters. They sell work from 150 top Irish designers alongside Mary and Sarah’s own collections, featuring everything from knitwear and jewellery to homeware, kids’ toys and paintings. Stop into the gallery, peruse the colourful shelves and watch Mary in action as she throws, fires and decorates ceramics in-house.
Muse, Waterford city
This independent Irish boutique is perfect for lovers of fashion and art of every kind. Filled to the rafters with new and exciting brands from international labels to the best homegrown designers, Muse stocks Urban Aran, Rotate, Rains, and Roisin Linnane — to name but a few. They’ve also got Mary K Jewellery, Laboratory Perfumes, and Veja footwear.
CC Creatives Waterford city
If you want to bring a little bit of Waterford home with you and introduce yourself to some incredible local designers and craftspeople, CC Creatives should be on your list of pit stops. A space filled with so much love and hard work, they’re made up of six independent businesses that first met back in 2019. From socks, stationery and skincare to homeware, clothing and jewellery — you won’t be leaving empty-handed.
The Defender is the best in class when it comes to road trips. A master of extreme performance and exploration that will take you anywhere (with plenty of storage space), it’s a car that was made for adventure.
Learn more at landrover.ie/defender.
Also Read
