South East Ireland Coastal Food Trail: Dunmore East & The Harbour Route

The south east Ireland coastal food trail runs from Hook Head in Wexford through Dunmore East to Ardmore in Waterford. You pass working fishing villages, cliff walks, thatched cottages and pubs serving seafood landed that morning. The trail centres on Dunmore East — a working harbour village at the mouth of Waterford Harbour where The Spinnaker Bar serves fresh local catch and cold pints on the quay.

The South East Coastal Route: Hook Head to Ardmore

The south east Ireland coastal food trail follows the Celtic Sea from Hook Head lighthouse in County Wexford through Dunmore East to Ardmore in County Waterford. The route covers roughly 80 kilometres of coast road, cliff path and harbour village. You drive or cycle between points. Each village has a working harbour, a fish merchant and at least one pub serving the day's catch.

Dunmore East sits at the centre of this trail. The village is 12 kilometres south-east of Waterford City on the western shore of Waterford Harbour where the River Suir meets the Celtic Sea. The harbour hosts a day-boat fleet. Trawlers land prawns, mackerel, pollock, haddock and crab six days a week. The Spinnaker Bar, Lower Village, Dunmore East buys direct from the boats and serves it the same day. Beer-battered fish comes with chips. Seafood chowder is €13.50. Mussels are €14 with chorizo, sherry, cream and garlic bread.

Dunmore East: The Working Harbour at the Heart of the Trail

Dunmore East is a working fishing village with a population of 1,500. The harbour has two stone piers, a lifeboat station and a fleet of day-boats and trawlers. The village has thatched cottages painted pastel blue, pink and yellow. The main street runs parallel to the harbour. The lower village sits on the quay. The upper village climbs the hill toward the cliffs.

The Spinnaker Bar is in the lower village on the harbour. Owner Peter runs the kitchen and the bar himself. He serves fresh local seafood, lamb shank for €27, 8oz striploin steak for €37 and a Sunday roast on the day. The pub has a deck overlooking the harbour. Live music plays at weekends. Every Premier League and GAA match shows on the big screen. Walk-ins are welcome most days. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133 for Friday and Sunday evenings or any group of six or more.

The Cliff Walk and Counsellor's Strand

The Doneraile cliff walk starts at the western end of the village near the lighthouse. The path runs south along the cliffs for 3 kilometres to Swine's Head. You look down at rock shelves, sea caves and gull colonies. On clear days you see Hook Head lighthouse to the east and the Copper Coast to the west. The walk takes 90 minutes return. The path is rough in places. Wear boots.

Counsellor's Strand is a sandy beach at the eastern end of the village. The strand is sheltered by the harbour wall. Families swim there in summer. The beach is a 10-minute walk from The Spinnaker Bar. After the cliff walk or the beach, walk back to the harbour. Peter serves prawn cocktail for €12, seafood pie for €23 and beer-battered fish for €22.50. Email Peter at spinnakerbardunmore@gmail.com to book a table after your walk.

What The Spinnaker Bar Serves Off the Day-Boats

Peter buys fish, prawns and shellfish from the day-boats in Dunmore East harbour. The menu includes seafood chowder for €13.50, mussels for €14, prawn cocktail for €12 and seafood pie for €23. Beer-battered fish is €22.50 with chips and tartare sauce. Wings are €14, buffalo or BBQ. Greek salad is €11. Lamb shank is €27. 8oz striploin steak is €37. Beef burger is €20. Chicken korma is €22 with rice and naan. Vegetable korma is €20. Pizzas are €13.50 to €21. Desserts are €8.95: cheesecake, creme brulee, strawberry mousse, chocolate orange tart. Sides are €5: chips, mash, vegetables, salad. Sunday roast is on the day.

Peter posts this week's food times and opening hours on Facebook. Message Peter on Facebook or ring (051) 383 133 to book.

The Rest of the Trail: Arthurstown, Ballyhack, Tramore, Ardmore

West of Dunmore East the trail runs through Tramore, Annestown and Bunmahon on the Copper Coast. East of Dunmore East you take the car ferry from Passage East to Ballyhack in County Wexford. From Ballyhack the trail runs south through Arthurstown and Duncannon to Hook Head. Each village has a harbour, a beach and a pub. The Hook Head lighthouse is the oldest working lighthouse in Ireland.

Dunmore East is the best stop on the trail for fresh seafood and a working harbour atmosphere. The Spinnaker Bar is on the quay in the lower village. Peter serves cold pints, fresh local catch and live music on the deck at weekends. The pub has 818 reviews on Google Places at 4.5 stars. Walk-ins are welcome most days. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133 for larger groups or Friday and Sunday evenings.