Ardmore (Irish: Aird Mhór, meaning 'great height')[2] is a seaside resort and fishing village in County Waterford, Ireland, not far from Youghal on the south coast of Ireland. It has a permanent population of around 430, that increases in the tourist season. It is believed to be the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland. According to tradition, Saint Declan lived in the region in the early 5th century, and Christianised the area before the coming of Saint Patrick.
In September 2014, Ardmore was included on a shortlist of Ireland's top tourist towns composed by Fáilte Ireland.[3] It is home to the Michelin-starred restaurant, The House, at the Cliff House Hotel.
History
Ecclesiastical history
Ardmore TowerInterior of Ardmore CathedralOgham stone in the cathedral
On a hill above the village is a well-preserved 30-m-high, 12th-century round tower and the ruins of a cathedral dating from the 12th and 13th centuries[7][8] with an adjacent 8th-century oratory. One of the outer walls of the cathedral features some stone carvings retrieved from an earlier 9th-century building. The carvings include a very early image of a harp, images of Adam and Eve in the garden and a representation of "Solomon's judgement". The cathedral also contains two Ogham stones, which rest in small alcoves. Some elements of the original structure can still be seen within the building. The present Church of Ireland church is close to this complex.
Maritime history
Within the last few decades,[when?] Ardmore has lost its status as a fishing village as fishing laws became more restrictive.[citation needed] Harbour development remains unfunded and larger fishing vessels are unable to utilise the present docking facilities due to a lack of water depth.[original research?] However, a small number of fishermen maintain some of the old fishing practices as they continue to fish from Ardmore.[citation needed]
The Samson, a crane ship, was wrecked on Ram Head, near the village, during a December storm in 1987 as it was being towed from Liverpool to Malta. Its wreck is now a diving spot. There are many other older wrecks in the bay area including the Marechal de Noailles, Bandon, Peri, Scotland, Sextusa and Peg Tranton, and later wrecks including Anne Sophie and Fee des Ondes. The remaining keel of the latter wreck may still be seen at low tide on the main beach.
Features
Ardmore village and waterfrontArdmore peninsula
The village includes two hotels, a number of pubs and restaurants, a seasonal petrol station, a pier and slipway, and one store. There are also several sports clubs and a primary school. The village was the overall winner of the Irish Tidy Towns Competition in 1992.
Ardmore is a seaside resort with a mile-long beach, commonly termed the Main Beach. Other nearby beaches include Goat Island, Ballyquin, the Curragh, and Whiting Bay. Ardmore's main beach was awarded Blue Flag beach status in 2018.[9] Improvements in water quality at the beach were attributed to a wastewater treatment plant which was opened in 2015.[9] As of 2020, the beach retained its Blue Flag status.[10]
In 2006 a new hotel, the Cliff House Hotel, was opened in place of the older Cliff Hotel.[11] There is a cliff path, beginning near this hotel, and ending back in the main street. The cliff walk, which has marker posts erected along the route, passes an old remodeled Coastguard Station, St Declan's Cell and Holy Well, a ruined church, the wreck of the Samson, an abandoned 20th century coast guard lookout, and another, much older, lookout tower. Further along the walk is a well with stone canopy, known as Fr. O'Donnells Well. The monastic complex is atop the hill above the village.[citation needed]
Transport
Ardmore is served on a daily basis by Bus Éireann route 260 which links it to, inter alia, Youghal, Midleton and Cork city. Until 2010 it was also served by route 362 which linked it to Waterford via Dungarvan.[12]
