Yellow Shell Cottage, Ballinroad, Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland Tel: 058-42187 International Tel: +353-58-42187 E-mail: yellowshellcottage@hotmail.com Outside Yellow Shell Cottage Beaches * Golf * Mountains * Town So... you've unpacked your suitcases and flushed the loos to prove they work. Now what? Nearby: Clonea Beach - One mile down the lane lies Clonea Beach. At low tide it stretches more than a mile along sea cliffs and undeveloped farmland. Further along it has a lifeguard patrolled swimming area, then runs past a hotel with pub and restaurants, and back along more undeveloped land. At high tide, the tremendous beach shrinks way, way down. But, hey, this just means all the odds and ends are swept away. This beach is cleaned twice daily by King Triton. One clue to Clonea Beach's health is the abundance of shore birds. Another is the Blue Flag flying over the beach. A Blue Flag beach has to meet the most stringent European standards of cleanliness. The local hotels feature leisure centres, pools, and Ten-Pin Bowling.  Clonea Beach on a Winter's Day - Still Beautiful Dungarvan Golf Course - Just a 5 minute walk down the road is this championship course. Awarded blue flag status by the Golfer's Guide to Ireland, the club offers caddy service, caddy cars, a fully equipped shop, a lovely dining room, and the services of a golf professional. Better yet, it features some boomingly long par 5's and a lovely variety of watercourses, water holes, water features, and water views.  Gold Coast Golf Course - A five minute drive away on little byways is this spectacular new championship course. The course fills much of a peninsula jutting into Dungarvan Bay and the Irish Sea. Talk about views! To quote from the brochure: "The Gold Coast Golf Course has expanded to a par 72, 18 hole course from its long established 9 holes. The original 9 holes were planted in 1939, and these trees have grown tall and thick. The mature tree line lined fairways of the older holes are cleverly mingled with the long and challenging newer holes to create a truly superb golf course. At 6,788 yards off the back tees, the course will present a real challenge for the discerning golfer wishing to test his skill in a magnificent and spectacular location. For the ladies the 5,531 yard course is equally demanding and rewarding." Comeragh Mountains - If you like vast mountain views, easily accessible waterfalls, and spectacular glacial lakes and coums, then you'll love the Comeraghs. One of Ireland's least known gems, the Comeragh Mountains feature Europe's largest glacial corrie lake, Ireland's densest population of Peregrine Falcons, and the well maintained trail to Mahon Falls. The well signed Comeragh Drive circles the range. In a mere two hour drive you'll see precipitous rock walls, huge views, dense forests, a myriad of streams, and best of all - more sheep than people. Dungarvan Town - With a population of 8,000 this is the perfect sized town. Just big enough to have everything without the traffic problems and hassles of a larger city. It has supermarkets, an award winning new library, a boat filled harbour, museum, castle, pubs, and restaurants of every type including a Michelin Award winner. There are also cinemas, video rental shops, a superb sports stadium, and doctors (heaven forbid you should need one!). The town bustles and you can find anything you need - from tourist knick knacks to outdoor gear. But, it's a real working town, not a tourist trap. Dungarvan is as lovely as any town in Ireland but it doesn't give you the feeling of existing just to separate you from your money. Click on the link above to go to the Dungarvan Town site, which features views of the town. Kids - Within walking distance there's the beach, ten-pin bowling, Crazy Golf, and a sports field. Within 5 minutes drive there's also a Pitch & Putt, Driving Range, Cinema, and plenty of knick-knack shops in town. Local walks - We're in the country. Stroll out the door and discover lovely, safe country lanes. Just a few hundred metres away is the second oldest church in the diocese. Equestrian Centres aren't far. For tons more to do in the area, plus maps and descriptions of local walks, car drives, and the like go to the Dungarvan Tourism site Short Drives and more... Right. Those are some of the immediate attractions. But, just slightly further afield are plenty more. Among the big name places: Ring (An Rinne) and Helvick Head - Ireland's most isolated Gaeltacht, or native Irish speaking area. The famous Irish school brings hundreds to the area each year. Lismore Heritage Town - The richest English Duke of the early 1800's poured vast sums into constructing a fantasy castle here. Waterford Crystal Centre - The world famous tour and showroom are just a 40 minute drive. Ardmore Round Tower and ancient church - A 20 minute drive to this lovely beach town with its cliff walk and historic site. Splashworld, Tramore - When you get tired of sand and want to use the water slides, jacuzzis, wading and full size pools, and wave machine. Golf, golf, golf, golf, golf, golf... There are nine superb golf courses in County Waterford, including West Waterford Golf Course which is just a 10 minute drive away. Within 1 hour's drive - Fota Wildlife Park, Jameson Whiskey Centre, Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle, Cork City, Youghal beach and town, Kennedy Arboretum. In short, the Yellow Shell Cottage is centrally located to do anything in the south of Ireland. Or to just stay local and take it happily easy. Home Inside Outside Contact Web Design: Ambit Ireland © All Rights Reserved