These are the top three places in the annual tidy towns competition in Ireland’s county Waterford
- 1st: Ardmore – A stunning coastal village celebrated for its pristine beach, iconic Round Tower and cathedral ruins, and the scenic Cliff Walk. This Gaeltacht area blends ancient monastic history with a relaxed seaside holiday vibe.
- 2nd: Stradbally – Located on the Copper Coast, it’s a gateway to beautiful beaches like Ballyvooney Cove and the Stradbally Cove Wood. The town is famous for its annual Stradbally Steam Rally and its charming, tree-lined main street.
- 3rd: Lismore – A regal heritage town dominated by the breathtaking Lismore Castle and its exquisite gardens. Visitors are enchanted by its historic cathedral, elegant architecture, artisan shops, and its position on the majestic Blackwater River.
The 2025 Irish Restaurant Award winners for county Waterford
- Overall: Everett’s Restaurant, Waterford
- Café: Seagull Bakery
- Casual Dining: Momo Restaurant
- Chef: Luis Martin of Mara
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Eamo & Ró
- Customer Service: Slow and Steady Café
- Employee Excellence Award: Geraldine Ward of Everett’s Restaurant
- Gastro Pub: The Moorings
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Roseville Rooms at Faithlegg House Hotel
- Innovator: Dún Artisan Bakery
- Local Food Hero: Sarah Richards, Seagull Bakery
- Newcomer: Zuca Brew
- Pub: Tully’s Bar
- Restaurant Manager: Alan O’Shea of 360 Cookhouse
- Sustainable Practices: Grow HQ
- Use of Social Media: Grow HQ
- Wine Experience: UNioN Wine Bar & Kitchen
- World Cuisine: Mezze
Awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Restaurant awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Waterford:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching –– Camping –Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets– Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846– 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
Waterford is steeped in Viking and medieval history, with Waterford City’s Reginald’s Tower and Viking Triangle showcasing ancient artefacts. The Copper Coast, a UNESCO Geopark, offers dramatic coastal walks, while the Lismore Castle gardens provide serene beauty. Other attractions include the beaches of Tramore and historic Dunmore East. Waterford is Ireland’s 21st largest county by size (1,838 square km) and 20th largest by population (127,363). Population peaked at 196,187 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 71,439 in 1961. In terms of hospitality, Waterford is Ireland’s ninth most visited tourist county with around 225,000 international visitors per year.
