Waterford Walls

TRAMORE THE BIG BEACH COUNTY WATERFORD

August 17, 2025 by infomatique

AUGUST 2025 VISIT

I had a few hours to spare so I decided to visit Tramore and it took me much less than an hour to get there from the Granville Hotel in Waterford. I had intended to revisit the town on the following day in order to search for and photograph examples of street-art and also visit the Metal Man but I got distracted by events and did not re-visit.

Getting to Tramore from Waterford City

Travelling to Tramore from Waterford City is very straightforward and easy. The two towns are located just 12 kilometres apart, and there is a frequent and direct bus service operated by Bus Éireann (Route 360) that connects them. The journey is short, taking approximately 18-20 minutes, with buses running every 30 minutes throughout the day. This makes it a very convenient and reliable option for commuters and visitors alike.

History and Origin of Tramore

Tramore, which translates from the Irish ‘Trá Mhór’ to ‘big beach’, was originally a small fishing village. Its transformation began in the late 18th century when it was discovered as a “pleasant retreat” for the citizens of Waterford seeking the benefits of “salt water”. The town’s growth as a tourist destination was significantly boosted by the opening of a unique, isolated railway line from Waterford City in 1853. This railway was integral to the town’s development until its closure in 1961.

A key event in the town’s history is the “Sea Horse tragedy” of 1816, when a military transport ship carrying soldiers, women, and children was wrecked in the bay, leading to the loss of over 360 lives. This event led to the erection of the famous “Metal Man” statues on the headlands in 1823, funded by Lloyd’s of London, to warn seafarers of the dangerous waters. The seahorse also became a symbol of the town and was later adopted as the logo for Waterford Crystal.

In recent decades, Tramore has evolved into a “dormitory town” for Waterford City, with a large portion of its population commuting for work. The town council is now focused on promoting a more self-sustaining local economy.

Peak Season and All-Year Community

While Tramore has always been a popular tourist destination, it has developed into a settled, all-year community rather than solely a seasonal resort. Its population was recorded at over 11,000 in the 2022 census, making it the second-largest town in County Waterford.

The peak season for tourism is undoubtedly from Easter through to September, with July and August being the busiest months. During this time, the town’s amusement park, beach, and other attractions are in full swing, and a large number of local and international visitors arrive. Surfing and water sports are particularly popular, and the town hosts a long-running annual horse-racing festival in August.

However, the town does not shut down in the winter. Its large community ensures that local businesses, schools, and services remain active all year round. The off-season also offers a different type of experience, with the beach still being a draw for surfers and walkers, and the cliff walks providing a rugged, scenic alternative to the summer crowds.

Street Art and Murals

While Tramore may not have the same concentration of street art as nearby Waterford City, which is known for its annual “Waterford Walls” festival, it has been included in the festival’s expansion. The Waterford Walls festival has brought large-scale mural artwork to various locations within the county, including Tramore. Therefore, it is possible to find street art in the town, with pieces often commissioned to beautify urban spaces and engage with the local community.

STREET ART IN WATERFORD IN MAY 2016

March 4, 2023 by infomatique

IT WAS MUCH BETTER IN 2017

When I visited the City of Waterford in 2016 I was unaware of the Waterford Walls annual street art festival I managed to not visit the areas where the best street art was on display. In 2017 I was much better prepared.

Each year new works of vibrant street art are added to Waterford’s walls, creating the wonderful outdoor gallery that locals and visitors alike get to explore and enjoy every day! Since 2014, the mission of Waterford Walls is to transform and regenerate urban spaces in Waterford to inspire and connect communities.

STREET ART AT ONE END OF COLLEGE STREET

March 2, 2023 by infomatique

NEAR THE OLD ASYLUM WATERFORD 2016

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During my 2016 visit I discovered that Waterford City hosted an amazing collection of street are and it gets better every year because of the Waterford Walls street art festival. I could not visit last year and unfortunately I cannot find a suitable hotel this room [late August/ early September].

STREET ART AT ONE END OF COLLEGE STREET NEAR THE OLD ASYLUM 001

STREET ART AT ONE END OF COLLEGE STREET NEAR THE OLD ASYLUM 002

ABOUT A GIRL BY KEMP MAY 2015

February 28, 2023 by infomatique

WATERFORD WALLS PROJECT AT NEWGATE STREET IN WATERFORD PHOTOGRAPHED IN 2016

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[Update 28 February 2023] I checked Google Maps and the building in my photographs has been demolished []

According to a local there is a lot of graffiti in Waterford because there is a huge amount of derelict property, I got the impression that he was not impressed by the murals throughout the city.

This was difficult to photograph as I was very much constrained by the fact that I was using a 90mm lens when I photographed this artwork in May 2016.

KEMP is a Dublin based stencil artist. He is the curator and originator of the OUTVASION project. He has held solo exhibitions in NewYork (2012), Waterford (2012) and Dublin (2013). Working mainly on portrait based pieces he has recently began to mix these with backgrounds of urban sprawl.The theme of his work varies but the thought process behind it stays the same, to bring out the beautiful in both the mundane and the extraordinary.

Newgate street extends westwards from the Applemarket, connects with John Street and Michael Street, with Newgate Street and John’s Lane. It was part of the new gate development undertaken in the late 15th century and which provided an additional gateway into the Anglo-Norman city.

URBAN EXPRESSION ON STEPHEN’S STREET AND ALEXANDER STREET

February 27, 2023 by infomatique

DE LA SALLE HALL WATERFORD

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My first visit to Waterford was in May 2016 and I was surprised to discover much really good street art and when I asked the staff back at the hotel why it was so good they told me that there was an annual event known as Waterford Walls. I decided that I would visit every September to visit to photograph what had been created during the festival but unfortunately I was unable to do so. Covid restrictions created problems for me, last year my hotel booking was cancelled and this year I cannot get a suitable hotel room at a price that I am willing to pay.

In August 2015 twenty two artists used the walls of Waterford city are their canvas. The Waterford Walls event had surpassed all expectations as locals and visitors flocked to the city to see the street artists in action. I was not certain if the hall was included in the programme but I am assuming that it was.

This building is an attractive and substantial composition of graceful proportions that, despite currently being disused, remains in very good condition. The building retains its original form and character, together with important original salient features and materials that contribute to the character of the site. The building is a prominent feature of the streetscape, and forms an important corner site linking Stephen’s Street with Alexander Street.