Discover Ireland's Copper Coast

Are you planning on doing a Kimye and discovering Ireland?

Ireland is a very popular tourist destination with its rolling hills covered with different shades of green and sparkling surrounding ocean often located just a stone’s throw away from quaint villages and towns. It is a serene country and every time I return after being gone for a while, I feel the same sense of inspiring awe that instils an adventurous urge to explore. 

There was a pleasant Australian couple who I met in London who were very enthusiastic about visiting Ireland for the second part of their trip. Almost as excited as finding out that I’m a Kelly (and yes Australia, you can stake a claim to me if you would like). What they were really looking forward to was “feeling the grass between their toes and stepping barefoot on top of the soil where their ancestors originated from”.

Fortunately Ireland isn’t that big and most tourists can hire a car and explore most of the country in the space of time that they have. But one particular route that often gets overlooked which I recommend for anyone visiting, or any Irish residents themselves who are unfamiliar with it, is the Copper Coast drive.

Located in Co. Waterford, the Copper Coast stretch is recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark. It’s about an hour’s drive from Waterford City to the town of Dungarvan which diverts off the main road (N25). If your destination from Waterford is Cork then don’t fear, this route will keep you on course while only adding an extra twenty - thirty minutes to your journey.

The Copper Coast drive is a wealth of scenic beauty as you take a road which runs along the Southern coastline and through several villages. There are the required photo ops available all along for the perfect selfie where you can stand on top of a cliff with the stretching ocean or the Commaragh Mountains as your backdrop. There are also spots to have a peaceful picnic, whether next to fort ruins or a secluded cove. You can discover more of Ireland's Copper Coast on foot with several different Heritage Walking Trails.

The end of your drive will see you arrive back onto the N25 and into a quaint town known as Dungarvan. This beautiful town is often noted as one of the most beautiful towns in Ireland. Worth a visit if you have the time and you can read more about Dungarvan in a later review.