Back to Page 1 The Village of Passage East & Surrounding Area
Just a little history of the village:
On 23 August 1170, a year after Strongbow landed in Bannow, symbolizing the beginning of the Norman invasion of Ireland, he returned to the country with 200 knights and 1,000 men, landing in Passage East.
Nearby are the ruins of Geneva Barracks, a onetime planned utopian colony turned into a notorious prison and point of departure for thousands of rebels transported from the country for participation in the 1798 rebellion.
On your way from our village to Dunmore East, take a walk along Woodstown beach. If you’re up early enough in the morning you’ll see race horses galloping along the shore line.
Dunmore East is a lovely fishing village 10 klm away and is well known for aquatic activities, such as sailing and scuba diving. You can explore the village harbour and walk along the storm wall taking in the expansive view of the River Suir estuary. Looking across the estuary you see the oldest lighthouse in Europe, Hook Head Lighthouse. This is another destination worth a visit and our local car ferry will take you across the river. From the Wexford side of the river you can make your way to the lighthouse by car or by bicycle. In the vicinity of the light house are the Saltee Islands, a bird sanctuary. A local ferry makes the crossing and to explore some of the island for a few hours or for the whole day, will be memorable.
A trip along the Copper Cost towards Cork will bring you through some lovely villages and spectacular scenery. East of Dungarvan, motor around Helvick Head. This is a Gaeltacht area where the Irish language is spoken in the small villages. Continue traveling east to Youghal town, which is definitely worth a visit.
Looking north wards in County Waterford are the Comeragh Mountain where you will drive along meandering narrow roads with sheep grazing in the ditches. A visit to Mount Mellary Monastery along the way will present views of some of this earth’s wonderful vistas.
Waterford City is also a great place to explore with its Danish and Anglo heritage. It was way back in history referred to as the wine capital of Ireland. The annual Spraio festival is on August 1 and 2.
Kilkenny town is not far from Waterford with its bustling market centre and great castle. There is quite a tradition of art ceramics and glass blowing in villages nearby.
I could go on and on and on!
Below are several web sites to help with your holiday research:
http://www.copper-coast.com/copper/web/Display/article/2/5/?lang=en
http://www.coppercoastgeopark.com/
http://www.salteeislands.info/Saltees%20page.htm
http://www.passageferry.ie/localattractions.shtml