A deep, sheltered sandy inlet at the mouth of the River Tay on Waterford's Copper Coast, where low tide opens acres of sand and Ordovician rocks record 460 million years of history.
Low cliffs on the western side of the cove expose Ordovician slates and mudstones intruded by thin bands of volcanic andesite, with quartz veins marking later faults. This is one of the geosites of the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark, and the Geopark notes the beach access allows easy and safe access to the rocks.
The Copper Coast Geopark has placed picnic seats, a table made of stone and explanatory signboards at the cove. There are no other amenities, so bring everything you need with you.
The village is a short walk up the hill and has the substantial ruin of the largest medieval church in rural Ireland, including a fortified presbytery and carved gravestones. The rugged Ballyvooney Cove, set under a dramatic headland, is signposted from the village too.
A sandy cove set back in a deep inlet, flanked by grassy headlands that give good shelter from the breeze. At low tide there are acres of sand and a fair walk to the water; at high tide there is little beach left, but calm days are ideal for a swim. There is no lifeguard service, so be careful in rough or unfamiliar conditions.
The River Tay meanders down through a tree-lined meadow behind the beach and flows into the sea across the sand, giving the cove an unusually green, sheltered backdrop. An old lime kiln stands inland on the opposite side of the cove.
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