Things to do

It might be a tiny village but there is lots to see and do in and around Fenor — a place full of hidden treasures that you simply won’t find anywhere else… not to mention all the other things with which to fill your days just a short spin away.

Fenor Bog National Nature Reserve

Fenor Bog began to grow 10,000 years ago in a lake basin that was infilled by peat to eventually form a thick bog dome. In historic times the bog was cut for turf fuel. This ceased a century or so ago and the bog regenerated into a wet fen habitat.

The conservation of Fenor Bog is a unique Community Enterprise project. In 1999 some 140 householders purchased one of the last remaining Fen Bogs in Munster, recognising that it was in danger of being lost.

Fenor Bog contains over 200 species of plant, bird, insect and animal. A place of refuge for wildlife and visitors alike, it is owned by Móin Fhionnúrach Development Association and the Irish Peatland Conservation Council.

Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark

Extending between Fenor in the east to Stradbally in the west and up to Dunhill in the north, the area was declared a European Geopark in 2001 and became a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2015.

Comprising some 25 kilometres of spectacular coastline, the Copper Coast gets its name from the 19th-century copper mines that lie at its heart (pictured above is the 19th-century Tankardstown Mining Complex which employed over 1,000 people).

The Knockmahon mines were at their peak in or around 1840, exporting copper ore to Swansea in Wales from the nearby Cove. Only the ruins of the three engine houses and the shafts remain. Blue/green copper staining can be seen on the rocks at ground level.

Award-winning Fenor Community Play Park

“Fenor, a tiny village near Tramore in Co Waterford, is home to a church, pub and, thanks to a community fundraising effort [organised under the auspices of Dunhill Fenor Boatstrand Annestown Community Enterprises], one of the best playgrounds in the country.

Built using local wood and stone and landscaped to reflect the surrounding countryside, it has a zipline, climbing frame, sand play area, tyre swings, and a slide set on top of rock boulders. Combine a visit with a break for refreshments in Mother McHughs pub… and a stroll on the boardwalked bogland opposite.”

– from Irish Times/50 Best Playgrounds in Ireland, 2017

About the project, from concept to completion
Image courtesy of @WaterfordEpicLocations

Road Bowling heritage sport

Old traditions die hard, they say. Well, road bowls (or bouls as they’re commonly pronounced in these parts) have been played in the east Waterford village of Fenor since the 1950s, and possibly before, with the inimitable Jimmy ‘Skinner’ Flynn (pictured), the late Gerry Cremin, and long-time champion Liam Power among those who’ve done most to keep the game alive.

New enthusiasts (male and female) are always welcome to join the usual Sunday morning fixtures. The game essentially involves ‘bowling’ a 28 oz. cast-iron bowl down a straight(ish) country road, to see how far it goes. However, the power and skill exhibited by the better players is far from easily mastered.

Carrigavantry Lake fishing

This 30-acre reservoir (above right) can be fished by permit for both brown and rainbow trout all-year-round by bank and boat. Waterford City & County Trout Anglers manages the lake to a high standard and have upgraded the facility considerably in recent years.

According to waterfordflyfishing.ie, “The lake has a fairly consistent depth of 8-10ft with several shallower bays. The water is renowned for being very clear throughout the season and very prolific hatches of buzzer, olives and damsels occur. End of season dry fly action to daddies can be spectacular.” A wheelie boat is available by booking and a catch-and-release policy applies (as much as possible).

Ballyscanlon Lough: Fenor means ‘The Sunny Side of the hill’ and the village is indeed on the sunny side of Ballyscanlon. Ballyscanlon Forest is beautifully situated overlooking the Lake (above) of the same name, with walking trails of relatively short distance within it.

Idyllic Beaches

JUST A STONE’S THROW AWAY…

Annestown; Benvoy (one popular with families, surfers, the other a hidden gem)
Tramore seaside resort (famous beach & dunes, teeming in summer, surfers’)
Garrarus; Kilfarrasy (secluded spots, ideal if you want to get away from it all)

Anne Valley Walk

Starting beside Dunhill village, this beautiful 2.2km linear walk follows the Anne River, meandering through forest and marshland on a specially-constructed gravel path on the way to Dunhill Castle. Both buggy- and wheelchair-friendly, this peaceful amenity passes many picturesque ponds which are home to a wide range of flora and fauna, including protected species. There are fine views throughout, including of the castle. You can add an extra leg onwards to Annestown village and its lovely beach.

See the Anne Valley Walk Facebook page for lots more.

Gaelic Games

Depending on the fixtures schedule, you could catch a match at William Flynn Park, a mere puc fada (long puck) from the pub.

Established in 1885, making them one of the oldest clubs in Waterford, Fenor won the County Junior Football Championship for the first time in 45 years in 2024 (above), securing promotion to Intermediate. In hurling, Fenor reached the Eastern Junior A final the year after and top scorer Sean Mackey is on the Waterford senior hurling team for 2026.

The club’s juveniles play under the Na Gaeil banner (up to U13) and with Clan na Gael at underage level. Training takes place at the field (which backs onto the play park) most weeks from late January often all the way into the following December.

This extremely active club also holds various fundraising and community events during the year, including an annual Tractor, Truck & Vintage Run and the Wellies and Bellies Christmas benefit game for a local charity or cause.

The Waterford Greenway

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Possibly the most-talked-about tourist attraction in the country, this amazing €20million amenity opened in March 2017 and has been a runaway success since. The spectacular 46km off-road cycling and walking trail along an old railway line between Waterford and Dungarvan, taking in three tall viaducts from the River Suir to the edges of the Comeraghs and on to the sea at Dungarvan.

Website: http://www.visitwaterfordgreenway.com/