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3rd March 2025
03:29pm GMT
Ireland has a knack for taking once-overlooked towns and turning them into thriving cultural and gastronomic hubs. Tramore, once best known for its windswept beaches and summer amusements, has been quietly transforming into a destination worth visiting year-round.
Tramore—literally Trá Mhór, meaning “big beach” in Irish—has long been a coastal escape for weary city folk. The Victorian-era seaside town was historically known for its grand hotels, its now-defunct railway, and a reputation as a rowdy summer holiday spot. But beyond the slot machines and ice cream parlours, there’s a deeper history of fishing, shipwrecks, and a proud Waterford connection that continues to shape the town today.
More recently, Tramore has been forging a new identity, one that blends its heritage with a contemporary food and drink scene, stylish independent businesses, and a burgeoning creative community. It’s the kind of place where a surf lesson can segue into an excellent cup of coffee, where a fine dining experience can come with a view of crashing waves, and where old-school chippers still hold their own beside modern bistros.
Here’s how to spend a perfect day in Tramore.
There are few better starts to the day than the scent of fresh bread baking, and Seagull Bakery has become something of a pilgrimage site for lovers of good loaves. What started as a small home operation has blossomed into one of the best bakeries in the country, with a focus on naturally leavened sourdough and high-quality ingredients.
Their croissants are textbook-perfect, their morning buns have a cult following, and the brown bread is the kind that ruins all other brown bread for you. Grab a pastry and a coffee to go, or linger in the little seating area and soak in the slow rhythm of Tramore waking up.
You can’t talk about Tramore without talking about fish and chips. And if you’re talking about fish and chips, Dooley’s is the undisputed king of the lot. A stalwart of the promenade, it’s been serving up crispy battered fish and golden chips for decades, with queues out the door on summer evenings.
Everything about it is classic: the counter service, the smell of salt and vinegar in the air, the perfect ratio of crunch to softness in each bite. It’s the kind of place where you order more than you think you’ll eat, knowing full well you’ll finish the lot.
The Vic
A proper pub is an essential part of any town, and The Vic is Tramore’s gold standard. Housed in a grand old building with ocean views, it’s a seamless blend of historic charm and modern comfort.
The pints are meticulously poured, the Guinness is reliably good, and there’s an excellent whiskey selection for those looking to venture beyond stout. If you’re lucky, you’ll land a seat on the terrace, where you can sip your drink while watching the tide roll in.
For those in search of something a little different, The Vic also hosts live music, DJ nights, and even the occasional food pop-up—proof that Tramore’s nightlife is no longer just about late-night chip vans and dodgy discos.
Tramore’s biggest draw has always been the sea, and for good reason. The three-mile stretch of golden beach is perfect for a bracing walk, a surf session, or even a quick dip if you're feeling brave. If you prefer calmer waters, the Guillamene Swimming Cove is a beloved local spot, offering sheltered swimming and stunning cliffside views.
For those who like their adventures on land, the Doneraile Walk is a must. This scenic cliff-top trail offers panoramic views of Tramore Bay and the distant Comeragh Mountains, with plenty of spots to stop and watch the waves crash below. If history’s more your thing, check out Tramore’s Metal Man, a 19th-century navigational beacon standing watch over the cliffs—a quirky relic of Ireland’s maritime past.
Tramore also has some unexpectedly lush green spaces, like the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, a tranquil retreat dedicated to the famed writer who once called the area home. And if you’re up for a short drive, the Mahon Falls hike in the Comeragh Mountains offers dramatic waterfalls, rolling landscapes, and the eerie Magic Road, where cars appear to roll uphill all by themselves.
The Sands Hotel Bar & Lounge
No Tramore night out is complete without a stop at The Sands. A relic of a bygone era, it somehow manages to be both deeply nostalgic and entirely essential. The kind of place where you could end up in a dance-off with someone’s uncle, or find yourself in an impassioned debate with a stranger about which chipper is actually the best.
There’s a reason people have been stumbling in and out of The Sands for generations. It’s got character, a bit of chaos, and enough stories within its walls to fill a novel.
Because one guide could never be enough, here’s a longer list of spots to check out: Mezze (for Middle Eastern delights), Mol’s Coffee House (for a warm drink post-sea swim), The Vee Bistro (for a solid brunch), Moe’s Café (for a great toastie), and T-Bay Surf Club (for when you want to swap pints for waves).
Tramore may still be best known for its beach, but it’s far more than just a summer town. Whether you’re here for a weekend or just passing through, it’s got more than enough to make you want to linger a little longer.
