Exploring the
DONERAILE Convent Hill
Church Road
Cove Road
DID YOU KNOW? Tramore is home to four historic post boxes, three dating back to Queen Victoria’s reign (1837-1901) and one from her son King Edward VII’s reign (1901-1910). Those with Queen Victoria’s cipher are located at Cove Road, Church Road and Convent Hill, while Kind Edward VII’s is located at Railway Square. Interestingly, on 2nd May 1904 King Edward VII visited Waterford, arriving at Waterford North Station. The station Railway Square was decorated in crimson and a salute was fired by the HMS Aeolus, which was stationed in the river along three other ships. The King was entertained by the Mayor James A. Power, ‘The Bully Man’ at a reception in City Hall. The Royal party then visited the Waterford Show and proceeded to the Waterford South Station in Bilberry to take the train to Lismore. Before departing the King knighted the Mayor on the platform.
The cannon on the Doneraile Walk
NETWORK • Q1 2019
The historic Doneraile Walk is a scenic route along the cliff overlooking Tramore Bay with views stretching from Tramore Promenade to the Metal Man and beyond. These views take in the Amusement Park, Tramore beach, the Backstrand, the Sand Dunes and then on to the other side of the bay, with views stretching beyond the Saleens and Brownstown Head. There are many features of interest along the Doneraile, which include a memorial commemorating the 360 lives which were tragically lost when the British ship the “Sea Horse” which sank in January 1816, one of the worst shipwrecks that Tramore Bay has ever witnessed. An ancient cannon gun also sits on route overlooking the Bay from a height. Another point of interest is the old Coastguard Station, now a Cultural Centre with a café and exhibition area. It is a fantastic place to have a coffee break, where you can check out one of the many local art and craft exhibitions or sit and enjoy the views of the Bay within the beautiful garden. With entry from Church Road, the Doneraile was first laid out in the 18th century by Lord Doneraile (a local landlord) as a private promenade, which he later donated to the townspeople. It once had steps (no longer accessible) leading down to Foyles Beach and Cove. Below, it has an open grass area with seating. The cove end of the walk has a series of steps down to “The Haunted Well” and onto Cove Lane, which leads to the Pier and up onto Cliff Road towards the Guillamene and Newtown Cove.
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