Dunmore East is a small village on the coast of County Waterford in southeast Ireland. Its Irish name Dún Mór means "big fort", and has been applied to innumerable hillocks where ancient people huddled in the wind and rain, so this one is specifically Dunmore East. It acquired a good harbour in the 19th century, and became a fishing port and tourist resort. In 2022 it had a population of about 1700.

Get in

The harbour

See Waterford for long distance routes by air, rail and road.

Suirway Bus 611 runs from Waterford M-Sa every 90 min, taking 25 min. In Waterford it starts from the bus stop on the quay outside the main bus station. In Dunmore it starts from opposite Bay Cafe.

Get around

The village is small enough to walk around.

See

• The Harbour is surprisingly large for such a small village. In the early 19th century there were grand schemes for a new mail and passenger service from England, and Dunmore was to be the Irish port. A new harbour was completed in 1837, massively over-budget and just in time to be obsolete, as steam-powered ships could wend their way upriver to Waterford city. However it did boost the local fishing industry, and helped with tourism as cruise liners could land passengers here by tender.
• Upper Village is the area north of the harbour. The coast here is rocky, good for angling. The Round Tower is all that's left of the castle built in 1640: it's just a stump.
• Lower Village north of that has the sandy Lawlor's Beach.

Do

• Dunmore Adventure by the harbour run various water-based activities, including the Wibit inflatable obstacle course.
• The cliff walk follows the coast west for 5 km to Portally Cove, which has road access.
• Dunmore East Golf Club contains the holiday resort, see Sleep. There's an amateur golf classic tournament in April.
• Bluegrass Festival is held at the end of August. In 2024, tickets for the 3-day event cost €25.

Buy

• By the harbour are Centra (daily 7AM-10:30PM) and Spar (daily 7AM-9PM).

Eat

• O'Shea's Fish & Chips on Glenville Terrace is open Su Tu-Th 4:30-9PM, F Sa 4:30-10PM.
• Star House Chinese restaurant by the harbour is open daily 4:30-10PM.
• Azzurro, Dock Rd, ☏ +353 51 383 141. M-F 5-11PM, Sa 1-11PM, Su 1-10PM. Italian cuisine, the seafood is especially good. (updated Oct 2020)
• Spinnaker Bar, Glenville Terrace, ☏ +353 51 383 133. W Th 5-9:30PM, F 2-9:30PM, Sa Su 12:30-9PM. Friendly informal dining, try the seafood chowder. (updated Oct 2020)

Drink

Harbour lighthouse

• Power's Bar, Dock Rd, ☏ +353 51 383 318. Su-Th 1-11:30PM, F Sa noon-12:30PM. Friendly traditional pub, often has live music. (updated Oct 2020)

Sleep

• Avon Lodge is a smart B&B at The Garage on R684, tel +353 51 385 775.
• 1 The Ocean, Dock Rd X91 VNN7, ☏ +353 51 383 539. Reliable mid-range hotel near the sea front. B&B double €100. (updated Sep 2020)
• 2 Strand Inn, Dock Rd, ☏ +353 51 383 174. Gastropub with 15 rooms. They also run the nearby Townhouse, plus self-catering cottage and glamping cabin. B&B double €130. (updated Sep 2020)
• 3 The Haven, Dock Rd, ☏ +353 51 383 150. Upscale hotel with good restaurant in the summer home of the former Lords Lieutenant of Waterford. B&B double €150. (updated Sep 2020)
• 4 Dunmore East Holiday & Golf Resort, Dunmore East Golf Club, The Fairways, ☏ +353 87 702 2566. Tourer pitches and campsite open all year, also has self-catering lodges. Unit €30. (updated Sep 2020)

Connect

As of Oct 2020, there is a good mobile and 4G signal from Three and Vodafone, but no coverage by Eir. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

• Waterford for city amenities and the excellent medieval museum.
• Tramore is a bigger resort with a better beach, as its name implies.
• Lismore has several castles, gardens and mansions, some downright eccentric.