| County Waterford |
| Dungarvan |
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Dungarvan - Dungarvan
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Accommodation_Waterford
Dungarvan is the administrative capital for County Waterford. It is a
bustling market town in a high tourist amenity area. Although there is
some dispute about monastic and early Viking settlement in the
Dungarvan area, the town owes its foundation to the Anglo-Normans in
the 12th century. Their motte and bailey at Gallows Hill to the west of
the town still survives. A charter was granted by King John in 1215 and
the town prospered until it was destroyed in |
1582, after which it
declined. Because of its strategic location, Dungarvan was the focus
for many 17th century battles. It never regained its medieval
prosperity as it lacked the amenities of a good trading port. The Duke
of Devonshire engaged in a programme of rebuilding at the turn of the
19th century and Dungarvan today owes much of its shape to that period.
Relative prosperity returned, but was short lived, as the great famine
of the 1840s had a devastating effect.
Despite some further setbacks Dungarvan today is a thriving commercial
and tourist town and is an ideal centre for touring the Comeragh
Mountains and the Ring Peninsula.
What to see and do:
St Mary’s Church (Church of Ireland), entrance through a gate on Emmet
Street, was built in 1828 by George Richard Pain. The stark gable wall
standing to the back of the church is thought to have formed part of
the pre-Reformation church of St. Mary the Virgin. The Churchyard
contains some interesting gravestones. On the west side of the cemetery
is a mass grave and a memorial to those who died in the Moresby
shipwreck in 1895.
The Market House, in Parnell Street, renamed the Old Market House Arts
Centre for its exhibition space for local, national and international
artists dates from the 17th century. The Dungarvan Museum, situated in
the Old Town Hall on St Augustine Street, presents the history of
Dungarvan and West Waterford through a series of displays and panels.
Head towards the harbour and Barrack Lane where St. Garvan’s Church is
situated. This was thought to be the site of a 16th century church
dedicated to St. Garvan, who is reputed to have established the first
settlement here.
Across from St. Garvan’s is Dungarvan Castle, a 12th century
Anglo-Norman castle. It was the focus of many of the battles visited on
the town.
Davitt’s Quay (above), constructed in the early 19th century has now
undergone many changes, the most recent being the redevelopment of a
number of derelict stores and warehouses along the quayside into a
modern, cosmopolitan residential and commercial centre.
Golf enthusiasts can avail of the many scenic Golf Clubs in the area:
West Waterford, Dungarvan and Gold Coast.
For more adventurous pursuits, Road Karting at Millstreet, Cappagh can
offer a challenge, and Water sports enthusiasts can discover a unique
and wonderful way of exploring the Dungarvan Coastline by Sea Kayak.
Dungarvan is also an ideal base from which to tour the Ring and Ardmore
peninsula, the Blackwater Valley, the Comeragh and Nire Valley Drives,
the Vee Scenic Drive via Lismore and, of course, the Coastal Drive to
Tramore. (Coastal Drive brochures are available from the Dungarvan
Tourist Office.)
Dungarvan is a noted deep sea angling centre, with shark, general
ground and wreck fishing available. General angling is from April to
October with shore fishing extending to January. Check our Angling
Section.
If planning a visit to Dungarvan, why not plan around the Dungarvan
Jazz Festival which takes place every February. Another important event
which takes place in Dungarvan around May each year is the famous
traditional music festival Feile na nDeise.
Browse through the Dungarvan website for more local details:
www.dungarvantourism.com |
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