Waterford’s Copper Coast and the Comeraghs
Viking Waterford, the coves and mine ruins of a UNESCO geopark, a mountain waterfall, Ardmore’s round tower and a castle on the Blackwater.
- Distance
- 125 km (78 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 44 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 7
- Countries
- Ireland
- Updated
- June 23, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 125 km (78 mi) with 7 stops, from Waterford to Lismore. About 1 h 44 min of driving in total.
Route description
Waterford, founded by the Vikings, is Ireland’s oldest city; its Viking Triangle holds Reginald’s Tower and good museums. Drive south to Tramore, a family resort with a long beach and a big curving bay.
The R675 follows the Copper Coast west through small coves, sea stacks and the ruined engine houses of 19th-century copper mines. The geopark visitor centre in Bunmahon explains the landscape, and several beaches along the road are good for a swim on calm days.
Before Dungarvan, turn inland on the Comeragh Drive to Mahon Falls, a short walk from the car park into a corrie in the mountains. Dungarvan is a harbour town at the end of the Waterford Greenway, a 46 km cycle path on a former railway.
Continue south to Ardmore, where a 12th-century round tower stands above the beach and a cliff walk starts from the village. Finish inland at Lismore, a heritage town below a castle on the Blackwater; the Vee Gap road climbs from here over the Knockmealdown Mountains.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Waterford
Ireland - 214 km
Tramore
Ireland - 319 km
Copper Coast Geopark
NatureBunmahon, IrelandA UNESCO geopark of coves, sea stacks and ruined 19th-century copper mine buildings along the R675. The visitor centre in Bunmahon explains the geology.
- 419 km
Mahon Falls
NatureComeragh Mountains, IrelandA waterfall tumbling from a corrie in the Comeragh Mountains, about 20 minutes’ walk from the car park at the end of the road.
- 521 km
Dungarvan
Ireland - 621 km
Ardmore round tower
HistoryArdmore, IrelandA 12th-century round tower and ruined cathedral above a seaside village linked to St Declan. A cliff walk of about 4 km starts nearby.
- 731 km
Lismore
Ireland
