A perfectly preserved 1878 railway tunnel — brick-lined, 400m long and atmospherically lit — sitting on the Waterford Greenway between Durrow and Clonea. Walk or cycle straight through it on Ireland's longest off-road trail.
The 400m Ballyvoyle Tunnel is the star of the Durrow to Clonea Road stretch. Its brick-lined barrel vault, arched niches and dim lighting keep the 1878 atmosphere intact, with ferns and moss clinging to the walls. Go slowly — the Greenway code asks cyclists to take the tunnel with caution.
Just beyond the tunnel the trail crosses the Ballyvoyle Viaduct over the River Dalligan valley. Built in 1878, blown up in 1922 during the Civil War and rebuilt in 1924, it now gives serene treetop views over the valley.
The line opened on 12 August 1878 and the last passenger train left in 1967. Near the tunnel lie the ruined Durrow Station, its signal cabin and a red-roofed 1940s dancehall; the route was used by rebels during the War of Independence and Civil War.
Heading towards Clonea, the sea air and the scenery open up over Clonea Strand and Dungarvan Bay, with Helvic Head and the An Rinn Gaeltacht visible across the water.
A short hop off the trail at Shanacool, O'Mahony's pub and shop has traded since 1860 and is the classic stop nearby — ice cream, a drink and photographs charting the old railway.
Each Halloween the tunnel hosts a free walk-through with eerie themed light and sound, running for about a week around the October mid-term break and popular with families.
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