Waterford’s Copper Coast Global Geopark is regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Ireland and this year award winning travel writer Pól O’Conghaile voted the geopark as one of the top 10 places to visit. You don’t have to be a rock buff to enjoy the Copper Coast where you will find an unspoilt coastline loved for its stunning views, unspoilt landscape and pretty villages. Founded by local people whose goal was to create jobs through the development of sustainable tourism, the recently revamped geopark Visitor Centre in Bunmahon now offers visitors a great place to stop off for some rest and relaxation.
The café is fast gaining a solid reputation for serving locally produced artisan lunches and cakes and the gift shop is increasing its range of local craft and art. Geoparks are special regions in the world that boast outstanding geological heritage and vibrant local culture. Supporting local artists, crafts and artisan food producers is the best way to showcase and promote Waterford’s talent and high quality natural produce. There is an abundance of talent and entrepreneurship in Waterford and the Visitor Centre is proud to support artisan food producers such as: Tastefully Yours; Sea of Vitality; Aurelia; Eunice Power; Sea Gardiner; Pure Food; Healy’s of Waterford and Ann’s Artisan Foods. The Centre also sells crafts and products such as Trish’s Honey products; Copper Coast Jewellry; Orlaith Hammersley Art; Beach House; Tignor Handcrafts; Wild Oats; Fred O’Mahony; Iona Crystal; David Minehan Art; Copper Coast Natural Skincare; John Foley Images; Standing Stones and the recently established social enterprise Traditional Craft by Waterford.
A photographic exhibition by the popular Dungarvan photographer, John Foley will be officially launched in the Geopark Visitor Centre on Saturday, 11th July by Mr. Paudie Coffey, TD and will run until 31st July. John’s exceptional photography skills capture the wild and raw beauty of his favourite haunts in Waterford from the Copper Coast to the Comeragh Mountains. These scenes are often photographed in the first morning light or taken from his kayak to portray our coast from the sea. These beautifully framed images are very attractively priced and would make a very welcome gift.
The Visitor Centre is housed in a former Church of Ireland whose last service was reputed to have taken place in 1937. This beautiful building lends a atmosphere full of character and is available to hire for special occasions. We are also registered for civil marriage ceremonies and we have a wine licence.
The purpose of a geopark is to explore, develop and celebrate the links between the geological heritage and all other aspects of the area’s natural, cultural and intangible heritages. It is about reconnecting human society at all levels to the planet we all call home and to celebrate how the landscape and its 460 million year long history has shaped every aspect of our lives and our communities.
The Copper Coast Geopark is an organisation whose ultimate aim is to spearhead sustainable tourism that develops and promotes the region as a truly special encounter-rich destination, strengthens the local economy and improves the visitor experience.
To find out more about these and other things to see and do in the Copper Coast Geopark visit our website at www.coppercoastgeopark.com
