11a. The Seaside Town of Tramore and 'The Strand'

SCENES from IRELAND Co. Waterford

See also really interesting Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens inTramore

Tramore is a popular seaside resort town in County Waterford, on the southeast 'Copper Coast' of Ireland. Tramore started as a small fishing village, but the area saw rapid development when the railway came from Waterford City in 1853. Ar first Tramore flourished as a tourist destination, attracting visitors from as far away as Dublin in summer and from closer to home all year-round. As the population grew steadily in the latter part of the 20th century, Tramore became a satellite and dormitory town of Waterford City to this day. Tramore is also a popular destination for surfing and other water sports due the large and sheltered Tramore Bay and the town offers lots of accommodation and amenities.

Tramore is situated on the north-western corner of Tramore Bay on a hill that slopes down to the strand, or sand spit, that divides the bay. Behind the spit lies the tidal lagoon known as the "Backstrand" - good for wildlife e.g. wading birds.

The Strand in Tramore is the main focus of the town's association with Irish tourists and offers a traditional seaside experience of ice-cream, fairground and sand. Tramore's beach front features a long promenade and an amusement park. It is a popular resort for tourists in the summer and has 5 km (3 mi) of beach and sand dunes looking directly out onto the Atlantic Ocean.

There are many accommodations in Tramore for tourist, including hotels, apartments, homes and caravan sites. Tramore has a reputation for surfing, and the T-Bay Surf club, which was established in 1967, has produced national and international surfing champions. The Promenade was built in 1914, serves as a popular tourist spot in Tramore and is the focus of the attractions of the strand during the summer.

 

	Great to have lunch or afternoon tea at the Majestic Hotel after a bracing walk on Tramore Strand and wander around the sand dunes - with respect for this conservation area.

Tramore Strand, note on the right in the far distance you can just make out two of the 'Metal Men' - statues on top of tall towers.

Why the presence of The "Metal Man" statues and towers? From the sea, the sheltered yet treacherous Tramore Bay can be easily confused with traditional safe haven of the River Suir estuary. After the tragic sinking of the ship the 'Sea Horse' and the loss of life, its insurers Lloyd's of London funded the building of piers and the erection of pillars on the two headlands either side of Tramore Bay, as a visual aid to prevent similar accidents in future. The pillars, three on Newtown Head and two on Brownstown Head, were erected in 1823.
 

The very popular and magnificent beach of Tramore Strand

From the late 1960s onwards Tramore has become renowned as a great surfing location in Ireland, as well as other watersports including kitesurfing and windsurfing. The sport was first brought to the town in 1967 by Irish surfing pioneer Kevin Cavey. Tramore has many surf stores, board manufacturers, surf schools and hire shops in the town. There are many good breaks in and around Tramore and during big swell and wind locals also head to surf Killmurren Cove where there is some shelter and other break locations include Dunmore East, Bunmahon and Annestown.

The fun fair at Tramore, with the tall spire of Holy Cross RC Church in the distance - Holy Cross Church is an imposing Gothic Revival Catholic church, dominated by an asymmetrical tower and spire, situated on a monumental site overlooking the town. It was built between 1856 and 1871 by J. J. McCarthy.

The scenic landscape of Tramore like the strand and cliffs, attracts many walkers. Local walks include the Doneraile Walk, Cliff Road Walk, as well as the 5 km Strand walk. Another attraction between March and September every year is the set up of "The Amusements" a small amusement park with a selection of rides and other attractions opposite the beach - photograph below

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Looking east along the coast towards Tramore.

The small harbour at Tramore.

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The Atlantic Arcade near Tramore Strand

The Strand Leisure centre, a large arcade complex in Tramore.

Tramore has plenty of shops and cafes e.g. Piper's Cafe (teas, coffees and snacks) and the Donut Bar and Holiday Shops for all sorts for the beach and gifts.

Freddie's icecream parlour and Massimo's traditional 'Fried Fish and Chips' in Tramore.

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Footnotes

The Waterford and Tramore Railway

Before the late 18th century, Tramore was just a small fishing hamlet, but its potential was recognised as "a pleasant retreat for the citizens of Waterford and others who assembled there for the benefit of the salt water". The 'Victorian' tourism boom has left a legacy of buildings dating from the 1860s such as the fine terraced housing on Strand Street. The Waterford - Tramore railway line opened in 1853, of length 12 km (7 miles) ran from Waterford's Railway Square to the terminus in Tramore, of which nothing remains? The railway was never connected to the main Irish network and it finally closed on 1 January 1961, as cars took over the transport situation! and all I've ever noted of its existence is a few bridges viewed from the busy Waterford - Tramore road.

 The Waterford and Tramore Racecourse

Tramore is known for a horse-racing festival that has been held every August for more than 200 years! The horses used to run along Tramore strand, but the route later moved to a purpose-built race course. Soon after the railway arrived, Lord Doneraile and James Delahunty built a racecourse at Riverstown and racing continued here until 1911, but incursions by the sea put an end to that venue. The 'latest' Tramore racecourse was built at Graun Hill in 1912 and has been subsequently developed and improved and is regularly used as a venue for shows and music events.

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