Once just a small fishing village, Tramore flourished in the mid-19th century with the arrival of the railway. With its sheltered bay and tidal lagoon, it became a popular tourist destination and its sand dunes are now designated as a Special Area of Conservation. In the 1960s, the Irish surfing pioneer Kevin Cavey introduced the sport to Tramore where it has flourished ever since.
Things to do in Tramore
Spend an hour or two exploring the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, which reflect the life and travels of Koizumi Yakumo. Learn about his childhood in Ireland and his literary works detailing the people and customs of Japan, which helped to introduce the country’s culture to the West. In addition to its Japanese-inspired area, the gardens include Victorian, American and Greek designs.
Want to learn to surf? Tramore offers a variety of breaks that cater to beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers. You can ride your first waves with the team at Tramore Surf School or rent a board to enjoy the swell at Killmurren Cove, Dunmore East and Bunmahon. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are also popular at Tramore Beach when the conditions are right.
Nestled just behind Tramore Beach is Lakelands, a picturesque green space with a network of walking trails. Kids will love the inclusive equipment at the children’s playground and the family-friendly rides of the Seasonal Tramore Amusement Park, as well as the indoor swimming facilities at Splashworld. A short walk east of Lakelands is the Estuary Bird Watching Area, which can be explored along a loop trail.
Getting around Tramore
Tramore is around 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Waterford and two hours from Dublin Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Tramore and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.