Ballysagartmore Towers
Less than a five-minute drive from Lismore Castle are the ornate Ballysaggartmore Towers surrounded by woodlands. There are two different structures that are both amazing to take photos at. The tower bridge and the magnificent manor ruins. Both of the gothic style buildings look like something from a fairy-tale. Framed by nature, these structures make for an extravagant backdrop to any picture and are two must visit Instagrammable spots in Waterford.
Lismore Castle
Lismore Castle is an imposing structure within the heritage town and you can get an easy and stunning shot of the impressive castle from the bridge. If you want to get a different vantage point, you can take a walk down to the field next to the river. Castle hopping is one of the things you have to do when in Ireland and on our list of things to do in Waterford, which you can read by clicking here.
Counshingaun Lake
There’s a lot of work for this shot as you have to have a good head for heights and some level of fitness. Take the loop trial around the top of the Comeragh Mountain which overlooks the lake. Don’t be just fixated on the lake though as there are several vantage points throughout the rock of the countryside that are simply breath-taking from those lofty heights. The hike is worth the effort because the pictures you’ll get from here make the Counshingaun Lake’s vantage points easily some of the most Instagrammable spots in Waterford.
Copper Coast Drive
One of our favourite particular areas for pictures of the Copper Coast is right next to the Tankardstown Copper Mines. Park there and you can walk over to the cliffside on the opposite side of the road. It’s not fenced, so take care, but there’s plenty of room to explore and take pictures.
Nire Valley
If you want to get a typical picturesque image of Ireland, then head to the Nire Valley. There you will find narrow country roads framed by old-fashioned stone walls, many roaming sheep and a backdrop of rural countryside. Also, there’s a parking area that is the perfect spot to watch the sun drop down over the horizon in the evening.
Fenor Bog Nature Reserve at Sunset
The Fenor Bog is an area that you can either spend 10 minutes at or much longer depending on your interest in bird watching and patience for spying wildlife. It’s free to visit and a peaceful place to stop in at as you drive along the Copper Coast. The boardwalk through the bog does make for a beautiful place to catch sunset from, and if you catch the light right, you can see it shine off the wooden path.
Dunhill Castle Ruins
The old ruins are what remains of a once proud castle in the middle of the Irish countryside. There are many angles that you could take of the building, however, a drone might produce the best results for a unique image.
Waterford Wall Murals
Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city and you can see parts of its medieval history throughout with wall ruins incorporated within modern buildings. However, in recent years, Waterford’s artistic flair has flared up and the city has created some of the most Instagrammable spots in Waterford with colourful wall murals.
An annual street festival organised by @Waterfordwalls showcases artists’ talents and the amount of wall murals around the city currently stands at over 40. Spend the day in the city discovering as many of Waterford’s walls that you can find while also uncovering the rising number of local artisan shops.
The Waterford Greenway
One of Ireland’s most popular attractions is a cycling path that runs along an old railway line. There are several picture perfect spots that are easy to get. Near Dungarvan, there’s a vantage point that shows stunning views of the coast, which is an uplifting sight when cycling in to Dungarvan on a beautiful morning.
Another Instagrammable spot along Waterford’s Greenway is the entrance to the 400 metre long tunnel that is framed by lush ferns. If you don’t want to cycle there from Dungarvan, you can reach the spot by car. Just drive to the Durrow Car Park and follow the signs for the tunnel, or alternatively, take the other route if the shot you’re after is of the Durrow Viaduct.
This arched bridge is a spectacular feature of Waterford’s Greenway with another viaduct bridge also located in Kilmachthomas. You can get beautiful pictures of the bridge with a drone and is a lovely spot to catch sunset from. However, if you don’t have a drone, don’t worry as you can still get Instagram worthy images of the bridge if you wander down to the lush country road that runs under the viaduct.
Ardmore
Ardmore has several different Instagrammable spots dotted throughout the holiday village. There is a cliff walk that has picturesque views of the craggy cliffs and a round tower that overlooks the beachside village. The Cliffside Hotel offers stunning views from its terrace and if you explore beyond the beaten path, you’ll find little known ruins with coastline views.
McKenna Castle in Ardmore is a beautiful hidden ruin in Waterford. It is located on a private farm, so if it is possible, ask for permission before exploring as there may be livestock on the land. We found a perspective overlooking the castle from a nearby field. If it is full of crops, please only step in if you are willing to be respectful and follow the track marks.
