Welcome to My Ardmore Diary
I am reminded of Shakespeare's "Iago" in Othello "I will wear my heart upon my sleeve, for daws to peck at: I am not what I am." All my life I've worn my heart on my sleeve, most of the time I really wish I didn't but you can't hide what comes by nature. I am not of this place and have been jovially branded a "blow-in" by several of it natives yet fate chose to bring me to Ardmore. Vivid memories of a school desk in Modeligo recount Mr Phelan's, the former Principal, story of how a man named St Declan gave my birthplace it's name, little did I know at that young age that one day the home of St Declan would become my home and that of my children.
The ancient seaside village of Ardmore, Co Waterford is renowned for its sandy beaches, cliff-top walks & breath-taking scenery. No matter the weather there is no place else you would rather be ! I began my love-affair with this pretty village & its people when I married one of its natives & set up home on its periphery. It was then my journey of discovery of this ancient place & alluring people began !
Dating back to the arrival of St Declan in 416AD, Ardmore is the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland. As you ramble around the ruins of St Declan’s Well, Round Tower & Béannachain a great sense of past surges within. It is a spiritual place that eases the mind & soothes the soul. The people of Ardmore welcome you with warm curious eyes & are eager to get to know you. Before you know it you are enveloped in the heart of the community, being addressed by name, in that familial way that makes you realise you are home.
Ardmore’s sandy shores provide a natural play ground for children and hours can be spent splashing about, or walking & cycling along its intertwining streets & tranquil heritage sites. The hustle & bustle of Main Street is infectious as visitors & locals mingle to experience the culinary delights, moving on to view local artistic talents at the many studios around the village. A selection of public houses & hotels offer relaxing refreshments after a busy day at work or play, prescribed to get the sand out of your craw & wash the salty taste of the sea from your lips.
It is a vibrant community with outstanding spirit. A multitude of committees & clubs cater for all – GAA, Soccer, ICA, Youth & Elderly, Athletics, Walking & Book Club, the list is endless, not forgetting our enthusiastic & committed Tidy Towns Committee who attempt to regain the title of Overall Winner as it did in 1992. The Ardmore Pattern Festival is an amazing fun-filled family festival, organised by volunteers, it celebrates our village every July. Attracting over 15,000 visitors every year it is a prime example of community spirit in action.
Ardmore is one great big adventure, each day offers some new experiences. I invite you to visit, experience its beauty, soak up the richness, meet its warm welcoming people, sample delicious & decadent dishes, view the artistic talent on offer, experience its vibrant spirit, but be warned, a visit will leave you wanting more & unknowingly your love affair with the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland will begin.
“A picture paints a thousand words” and many will be posted here for you to enjoy. I fell in love with it and I know you will too