This driving route explores Waterford, Tramore, Dungarvan, Comeragh Mountains Loop, Lemybrien, and back to Waterford city. From hidden coves to mountain scenery, this loop passes Waterford’s coastal UNESCO-site, The Geopark, before venturing into the mountains to the spectacular Mahon Falls. The first stop along this smorgasbord of coastal and mountain scenery is Tramore, a quintessential Victorian seaside resort. Driving towards Newtown Head, look for the Metal Man perched on one of three pillars on the headland. From here, continue west (via R675) along the Copper Coast, a UNESCO European Geopark named for its 19th century mining heritage. It’s a hypnotic route, spotted with Blue Flag beaches, stunning views and pretty villages like Annestown and Stradbally. Finally you will arrive in Dungarvan. From Dungarvan, the R672 links with Ballymacarbry, where a right turn takes you through the walker’s wonderland that is the Nire Valley. Continuing east to the R678 and R676 crossroads, there are two options – turning north to Carrick on Suir before taking the N24 back to Waterford, or turning south (via R676) towards Mahon Falls, a 240-foot waterfall tumbling spectacularly off the glaciated range, towards Waterford via Lemybrien (via N25), spare a thought for William Crotty, a notorious highwayman hanged in the city in 1742. Crotty robbed coaches travelling along what is today’s N25, and his treasure is still said to be stashed amongst the corrie lakes in the Comeragh Mountains.

The Newcastle Regional Museum gives a good overview of Newcastle’s history as the hub for the region’s mining and steel industry. Variety of exhibitions, including permanent and special ones, are of great interest to everyone. One of these exhibitions is the Supernova hands-on science centre, which is fun for the whole family. Don't forget to book your tickets in advance.

Fort Scratchley is an old Victorian house, but also a military and maritime museum. Take advantage of the organised tours, and check out the tunnel system to learn more about Newcastle's past at this historical site. It is open at weekends and public holidays.

This beautiful farm located on Isla Colon has large collections of heleconias, gingers, palms, flowering trees, fruits, spices and ornamentals. While hiking through the finca you may see howler monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and tiny colorful frogs. There is a wide variety of fruits such as cacao, guava, mammee also known as mamey, nutmeg, passion fruit, pineapple, papaya, tamarind, and nine varieties of bananas, among others. A wide variety of birds call the farm home drawn by its abundance of fruit and flowers.