Tour de Fred: A Waterford Itinerary

Introduction

Well-known restaurateur, broadcaster and maître d’ Fred Sirieix is best known to Irish and UK audiences for his role on First Dates, as well as for his passion for hospitality, food and travel. In Tour de Fred, Fred sets off on a cycling journey across Ireland, exploring the country at a slower pace while meeting local people, discovering regional food and experiencing the landscapes that shape everyday life.

His visit to Waterford showcases the county through this relaxed, curious lens, combining outdoor adventure, heritage, craftsmanship and moments of calm. Tour de Fred succeeds in showing us an authentic snapshot of what makes our region so distinctive.

Follow his journey here. And remember, there are plenty of other wonderful spots along this route that Fred hadn’t the time to explore – you can learn all about them in our Maps & Itineraries section.

Allez !

Start on the Waterford Greenway

Fred’s Waterford journey begins along the Waterford Greenway, a 46 km off-road walking and cycling trail following the route of the former Waterford–Dungarvan railway line, which closed in 1967. Today, it is one of Ireland’s most celebrated greenways and is well-known for its gentle gradients, impressive viaducts and beautiful scenery. As you journey, you pass rolling farmland, the River Suir estuary and the wonderful Waterford coast. Accessible for all abilities, the Greenway has won multiple international awards and has become a cornerstone of active and slow tourism in the county.

Foraging at Mount Congreve Gardens

At Mount Congreve Gardens, Fred explored one of the ‘great gardens of the world.’ Mount Congreve Gardens was created in the mid-20th century by impassioned plantsman and collector, Ambrose Congreve. Set on 70 acres overlooking the River Suir, the gardens are home to one of the largest private plant collections globally. This includes rare magnolias, camellias and Himalayan rhododendrons. During his visit, Fred joined local chef JB Dubois to forage for seasonal ingredients, highlighting Waterford’s deep connection between landscape, food and sustainability. The gardens reflect how nature, cultivation and creativity come together in this part of Ireland.

Discover the House of Waterford Crystal

In Waterford city, Fred visited the House of Waterford Crystal, where the craft of crystal-making has been practised since 1783. On the factory tour, visitors can watch master glassblowers, cutters and engravers at work, using techniques passed down through generations. Each piece of Waterford Crystal is still finished by hand and Waterford remains well-known around the world for its namesake crystal. Did you know that the Times Square Ball that drops each New Year’s Eve in New York is Waterford Crystal? His visit offers insight not just into luxury craftsmanship but into Waterford’s long tradition of making and trade.

A Moment of Zen at Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens

In seaside town, Tramore, Fred stepped into the peaceful Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens. The gardens were designed to reflect the life journey of writer Lafcadio Hearn, who was born in Greece, spent part of his childhood in Ireland and later became a Japanese citizen. The gardens blend Irish and Japanese planting styles, symbolic pathways and tranquil water features. Together, this creates a contemplative space that encourages reflection and stillness. It is a place where storytelling, landscape and philosophy meet and offers a quiet respite from Waterford’s more rugged outdoor experiences.

Go Wild in the Comeragh Mountains

The journey continues into the Comeragh Mountains, one of Ireland’s most dramatic and lesser-explored mountain ranges. Fred visited Mahon Falls, an 80-metre waterfall cascading through a steep glacial valley shaped during the last Ice Age. The Comeraghs are also famous for their corrie lakes, locally known as coums, which sit high in the mountains and reward walkers with striking views and a real sense of wilderness. The most famous of these lakes is the wondrous Coumshingaun Lough. This area showcases Waterford at its most raw, where weather, geology and landscape shape the experience moment by moment.

Along the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark

On the coastal stretch of his journey, Fred explored the Copper Coast, a UNESCO Global Geopark that tells a geological story spanning over 460 million years. The coastline takes its name from the 19th century copper mining industry that once thrived here. The industry left behind engine houses, mine shafts and dramatic cliffside remains. Today, the Copper Coast is prized for its wild beaches, rugged cliffs and walking trails. It offers a powerful sense of place where natural history and human heritage are deeply intertwined.

End with Music and Local Culture

Fred’s Waterford experience is rounded off in the traditional way, with live music and local hospitality. Throughout the county, pubs and cultural venues continue to act as social hubs where music, storytelling and conversation come together. The moments shared in these spaces capture the warmth and character that visitors often remember most long after their journey ends.

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