Bunmahon: Sandy Beach, Cliffs and Geopark
Accommodation in Bunmahon
If you’re looking for a hotel in Bunmahon, you can think of the area in terms of three interests: the beach, coastal geology and the offerings of the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark. Bunmahon Beach, the rocky coast at Bunmahon Head and the visitor centre each offer a different focus. Whether you’re mainly looking for time by the sea, geological subjects or mining heritage can shape the focus of your stay.
Sandy Beach and Geological Coast
Bunmahon Beach is a 2.5 km-long sandy beach in Bunmahon, County Waterford. It is used for surfing, canoeing and kayaking. The beach area borders a Natural Heritage Area (NHA). The sandy beach and the rocky coast at Bunmahon Head therefore offer distinct coastal landscapes.
Bunmahon Head consists of Devonian red sandstone and conglomerate. The rock layers are tilted to a vertical position, forming cliffs. The Time Path in the Geological Garden offers a complementary perspective on the history of the Earth: 28 specially designed panels present geological eras, key stages in the Earth's development and the evolution of life. The panels place the subject in sequence, while Bunmahon Head showcases the coast’s rock formations.
Nearby, Tra na mBo and Bunmahon Head can be reached from Bunmahon via a cliff path. At Tra na mBo, a path leads out onto the headland; at Bunmahon Head, a path with a handrail system leads down into the bay. At both locations, small tunnels cut into the rock remain as visible traces of mining heritage. Along the coast, you can encounter both geological features and evidence of mining.
Visitor Centre and Geopark
The Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark visitor centre is located in the coastal village of Bunmahon. Its free, family-friendly exhibition focuses on geological and mining heritage. Interactive exhibits also explain how earthquakes occur and are measured. The centre thus complements the coastal landscape with an exhibition-based perspective on geology and processes of the Earth.
The visitor centre also has a café. The gift shop sells locally sourced products from small businesses and craftspeople. Guided tours in the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark can be booked via the website. If you’d like to include a tour in your plans, check booking options there.
Waterford in the Wider Region
In the wider Waterford destination, the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark stretches for 25 km along the coast of County Waterford, from Fenor to Stradbally. The Copper Coast Drive runs from Tramore to Dungarvan. The Waterford Greenway offers a different kind of route: a 46 km car-free walking and cycling trail from Waterford City to Dungarvan, following the former Great Southern and Western Railway line.
The Waterford Greenway crosses eleven bridges and three viaducts and passes through a 400 m-long tunnel. The two Waterford routes therefore differ in how you travel: the Copper Coast Drive is a driving route, while the Greenway is for walking and cycling. These regional points of reference complement Bunmahon’s own highlights of beach, coastal geology and the Geopark visitor centre.
Discover more destinations: Dunmore East, Aird MhĂłr, Tramore, Lismore, Cappoquin, Harrylock, Ringville, Rathgormack
For the wider travel overview: Waterford.
