Kilmurrin Cove Walk to Lunch at The Spinnaker Bar

Kilmurrin Cove sits 4 km west of Dunmore East village — a sheltered strand beneath red sandstone cliffs, reachable by coast path or narrow lane. Walk it in the morning, then drive or walk back to The Spinnaker Bar, Lower Village, Dunmore East for fresh seafood, cold pints and Premier League on the big screen. Peter runs the kitchen and bar himself. Ring (051) 383 133 to book for Friday or Sunday evenings, or any group of six or more.

The Kilmurrin Cove Walk

Park at Kilmurrin Beach car park (follow signs from the R684 Dunmore East road, turn south at Kilmurrin crossroads). The cove is a 200-metre crescent of sand and stone, sheltered by cliffs on three sides. Red sandstone strata tilt at 45 degrees — the same Old Red Sandstone you see across south Waterford. At low tide you can walk west along the strand and scramble over rock shelves toward Boatstrand.

The coast path runs east from Kilmurrin back toward Dunmore East village. It's unmarked in places but follows the cliff edge through gorse and bracken. Allow 90 minutes walking time to reach the harbour. The path climbs above Swines Head, drops to Badger's Cove, then meets the tarmac lane at Counsellor's Strand. From there it's 800 metres into the village along the coast road. Total distance: 4 km. Wear boots if it's been wet — mud and loose stone on the clifftop sections.

What Peter's Serving at The Spinnaker

Peter cooks seafood off the day-boats that tie up fifty metres from the front door. Seafood chowder €13.50. Prawn cocktail €12. Mussels €14 (chorizo, sherry, cream, garlic bread). Beer-battered fish €22.50 — haddock or cod depending on the morning's catch. Seafood pie €23. If you've walked 4 km and want red meat, try the lamb shank €27 or the 8oz striploin €37. Sunday roast on the day. Peter posts this week's opening hours and food service times on Facebook.

Walk-ins welcome most days. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133 for Friday and Sunday evenings, or groups of six or more. Email spinnakerbardunmore@gmail.com if you're booking ahead. The bar sits on the harbour at Lower Village, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.

Timing Your Walk and Meal

Start at Kilmurrin Cove mid-morning. Low tide gives you more beach to walk and better rock-pool access. Check tide times for Dunmore East on tide-forecast.com or xcweather.co.uk — Kilmurrin is the same tidal window. Walk east to Dunmore village (90 minutes), arrive at The Spinnaker Bar around midday or early afternoon. Peter posts food service times live on Facebook each week — check before you set out if you're planning a specific lunch slot.

If you're driving back from Kilmurrin instead of walking the coast path, it's 6 km by road (R684 north, then turn east into Dunmore East village). Five-minute drive. Park near the harbour — there's a small public car park at the lifeboat station, 100 metres from The Spinnaker.

Dunmore East Harbour After Lunch

After you've eaten, walk the harbour. Working trawlers tie up along the east pier — prawn boats, scallop dredgers, crab potters. The lifeboat station is open some afternoons (check the door for volunteer hours). Counsellor's Strand is a ten-minute walk west from the harbour — a sandy beach between two headlands, sheltered, good for a paddle if the weather holds.

The Doneraile cliff walk starts from the west end of the village (follow signs for "Cliff Walk" or "Doneraile Walk"). It's a 2 km loop above the cliffs with views south over the Celtic Sea. If you've already walked 4 km from Kilmurrin you might skip Doneraile and just have another pint at The Spinnaker. Peter keeps the Guinness cold and the Premier League on the big screen. Live music some weekends on the deck — Peter posts the schedule on Facebook.

Getting to Kilmurrin Cove from Waterford City

Drive south-east from Waterford City on the R683 through Passage East, then pick up the R684 toward Dunmore East. At Kilmurrin crossroads (signposted) turn south onto a narrow lane. Follow it 1 km downhill to the beach car park. Total driving time from Waterford City: 25 minutes. No bus service to Kilmurrin Cove itself — you need a car or a taxi.

If you're staying in Dunmore East village and want to walk to Kilmurrin, it's 4 km each way by coast path (see above) or 3.5 km by road (quieter lanes, less scenic). Most people drive to Kilmurrin, walk the cove and the rock pools, then drive back to the village for lunch at The Spinnaker Bar. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133 to check food times or book a table for six or more.