scenic drives

This tomb stands at a height of over 120 metres (400 feet) above sea level. The tomb was excavated in 1941 by Jacquetta Hawkes. Similar entrance graves are found in the Scilly Isles and Cornwall and they can be clearly distinguished from the Boyne Valley passage graves. On then to WOODSTOWN with its beautiful sandy beach. continuing from Woodstown and about three miles further on, the ruins of Geneva Barracks are seen by the roadside. These buildings were erected in the eighteenth century to house a community of silver workers from Switzerland who had to leave their homeland because of their Huguenot sympathies. The venture failed and the building was used as a prison during the 1798 rebellion. It is referred to in the popular ballad known as 'The Croppy Boy'. Next one reaches the village of CROOKE before descending the hill to the village of PASSAGE EAST by the rivers edge - about one mile away. From Passage East there is a Car Ferry Service to Ballyhack on the Wexford side of the river. There is a Youth Hostel (An Oige) near Ballyhack at Arthurstown. The scenic route then continues by the rivers edge to CHEEKPOINT (poinnte na Sioghe), meaning 'Fairy Point', and ends in this beautiful small fishing village. On the western side of the village of Dunmore East a further picturesque drive extends in the direction of Tramore. Passing the old Mercy Convent, the drive continues westward to a very secluded cove at PORTALLY. A few miles further on, one comes to the beach at RATHMOYLAN and after that to the small but picturesque village of BALLYMACAW with its beautiful cove. Continue then by the sea to SALEEN beach with excellent views of the town of Tramore , the sand dunes and the back strand across the Bay. If required, the drive can then continue to finish in Tramore with its magnificent beach and various other tourist facilities. On the other side of the estuary opposite Dunmore East lies Hook Head peninsula, County Wexford. The Hook Lighthouse is clearly visible from Dunmore East. This is reputed to be the oldest Lighthouse on the Irish Coast and one of the oldest Lighthouses in Europe. It was first started as a beacon fire by monks . Here at the entrance to Waterford Harbour between Hook Head and Dunmore East the rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir (known as 'the three sisters' ) meet the sea. The well known phrase 'by hook or by crook' originated here from the place names Hook And Crooke (referred to previously) when Cromwell vowed that his armies would take Waterford 'by Hook or by Crooke".