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Natural Heritage

In August 2008 Waterford County Council adopted a five year plan aimed at protecting the abundance of natural resources in the county.

The Waterford County Biodiversity Plan includes provision for research, education and action in relation to the protection of all our natural habitats.

The area includes coastal, waterways and our mountain regions, for example the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan for the Tramore area and a proposal to designate the Upper Knockmealdowns as a Natural Heritage Area.

There are examples of native woodland at Toor Wood, Lismore and Glenmore.

The main channels of the Suir and Blackwater, with their their tributaries and wetlands along their banks include a wide and dievers range of habitiats. A 2006 survey of wetland habitats found " reedswamp, wet woodland, marsh, lake and reservoir, as well as small areas of fen, bog, wet heath, wet grassland, streams and ditches".

Peatlands include bogs and fens. While about 3.5% of Waterford is under peat bogs most of this is concentrated in the upland regions as mountain blanket bog. Two special Areas of Protection include blanket bog in the Comeraghs and the wetland fen habitat at Fenor Bog

Heath (open, shrubby vegetation, with heather or dwarf gorse), is a common habitat in the Waterford uplands and along the coast.

Waterford is home to approximately 28 species of butterfly.
17 species of dragonflies and damselflies have been recorded in Waterford.

There are eight species of invertebrates that are found in County Waterford and not in the resy of the country - "Brown Earwig, a Woodlouse, Hoary Footman Moth, Rosy Footman Moth, Carpenter Bumble Bee, Field Cuckoo Bumble Bee, Speckled Bush Cricket, Roesel's Bush Cricket and two species of Beetle Curtonotus convexiusculus and Timarcha tenebricosa". County Waterfor, Local Biodiversity Action Plan, 2008

Unesco Geopark - Copper Coast

The United Nations Economic Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has recognised the south coast of the county between Garrarus and Ballyvoyle Head as a GeoPark; one of a network of European sites of geological interest with management plans which address economic, social, cultural and sustainability issues

The Comeragh Mountains

The Comeragh Mountain and Nire Valley embrace the scenery and splendour of the mountains which form the spine of County Waterford.

Panoramas include the Atlantic coast to the south and Slieve na Mban in the Galty Mountains above Clonmel to the North on the Nire Drive.

Mahon Falls, horse riding, angling and guided walks from Ballymacarbry.

The Copper Coast

Panoramic seascapes, cliffs, bays and coves between Dungarvan and the major seaside resort of Tramore as well as more intimate Seaside Resorts with Blue Flag Beaches, Clonea and Bunmahon.

This coastal stretch incoudes five villages:
Fenor, Forest, Lakes, Fenor Bog, Kilfarrasy Beach
Annestown, (sweeping beach),
Boatstrand with its little harbour, (swimming and diving),
Bunmahon geological park, Blue Flag Beach, cliff walks panoramic views
Stradbally sandy coves, woodlands, crystal clear water.

See also (external link): Copper Coast Geopark

East Waterford Gaultier Coast

A beautiful peninsula contained by Waterford Harbour on one side and magnificent Tramore Bay on the other.

There is a kittiwake nesting colony exists on the cliffs at Dunmore East Harbour
the protected beach at Woodstown
the river confluence at Cheekpoint
the estuary at Passage East

Lismore & The Vee

Lismore & The Vee in the West of the county is a spectacularly beautiful area where the scenery climbs and dips and changes constantly.

Highlights include Lismore Heritage Town, The Vee viewpoint, the gardens and pet farm round Clogheen, Mount Mellary Abbey and Cappoquin House & Gardens.

An Gaeltacht

The Coastal Gaeltacht (Gaelic speaking) Ring area (An Rinn) and the River Blackwater.

at Ardmore , the neat estate town of Villierstown, Dromana House & Gardens and the vineyard near Cappoquin.

There is a Blue Flag Beach and Cliff Walk at Ardmore. St. Declan's Way Walk and at Whiting Bay.

Kilmaloo Walk at Clashmore and Horse Riding & Finisk Valley at Cappoquin.

Suir Valley

The Suir forms a natural boundary between Co. Waterford and Co. Tipperary.

Highlights include the Heritage Centre, Carrick-on-Suir, Curraghmore Estate, Portlaw, Mount Congreve Gardens, Killoteran and the Tipperary South Riding County Museum, Clonmel.

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