Local communities along the Copper Coast

The Copper Coast area comprises six local independent communities:
Stradbally, Bunmahon, Boatstrand, Annestown, Dunhill and Fenor.

The Copper Coast communities got together a few years ago, as a
voluntary group: "the Copper Coast Tourism Group", to see how they
could develop tourism in the area. They put up a series of information
plaques about heritage features in their different villages and edited a
series of walk cards to discover the area.

Map of County Waterford, source: Dungarvan Tourism

Individually, here are also listed some the other realisations and/or
awards each local community has done/was rewarded.

From west to east:

Stradbally, the western entrance village to the Copper Coast has its
own geological sundial and is the winner the European Entente Florale
and Pride of Place awards.

Bunmahon, the mining centre of the Copper Coast developed a
Geological garden with samples of rocks of the Copper Coast on display
along with information panels and a path through geological time. The
beach has been awarded the Blue flag, and a local volunteer, Mary
Galvan, received the "Waterford Chamber of Commerce-Vodafone
Passion For The World Around Us" award in 2006 in recognition of her
long term work for keeping the beach litter-free. Bunmahon also hosts
the Copper Coast Geopark office and information point.

Boatstrand, the only harbour along the Copper Coast. The Boatstrand -
Dunabrattin Fishermen group raised money to build a rescue centre on
the harbour. Their purpose is not alone to establish a facility to support
search and rescue but particularly to assist in the education of all users
of the pier and local beaches to take every precaution to avoid any further
loss of life.

Annestown is part of the DFBA group (see below).

Dunhill, the most inland community of the Copper Coast, has a
medieval castle and a church owned by the community. They have
successfully set up a business park, a multi-education centre and a
wet-land project to treat the local waste waters.

Fenor is the eastern entrance to the Copper Coast. In 1999, the
community purchased Fenor Bog. This is an alkaline fen rich in flora and fauna
and is the unique habitat of many rare marsh plants, butterflies and dragonflies.
Its uniqueness was recognised by the Heritage Council in 2000, 2001 and
2003, which awarded the community for their work on protecting the area. The
project since won many other awards. Its importance was recognised by the
Irish Government in May 2004 when Fenor Bog was designated a National
Nature Reserve. Fenor Bog is situated at the back of the village and can be
accessed through the Church car park. (website)

Dunhill, Fenor, Boatstrand and Annestown gathered to found the DFBA
Community Enterprises Ltd. and foster a spirit of enterprise and community
cooperation. It has since expanded and developed into a cluster of projects
that include economic, cultural, heritage, environmental and social elements
of community development. 

16th November 2007,
Boatstrand and Fenor rewarded for their
community efforts

County Waterford Community & Voluntary Awards are organised each
year by County Waterford Community Forum and Waterford County Council.

The 2007award categories & sponsors were as follows:

• Children & Youth – (sponsored by Blackwater Homes)
• Arts & Culture - (sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline)
• Business in the Community – (sponsored by Waterford LEADER
  Partnership)
• Heritage & the Environment -  (sponsored by i-to-i)
• Neighborhood Services - (sponsored by Sherry Fitzgerald Reynolds)
• Social Support - (sponsored by Glanbia)
• Overall Award - (sponsored by WLR Fm)

The winning nominee groups received €500 each and a framed certificate.
The overall award winner received a further €500 and a piece of commemorative
artwork.

The winners were announced on Friday 16th November in Clonea Strand Hotel,
Dungarvan. The Copper Coast Geopark is thrilled as 2 of the communities
within the Geopark area - Boatstrand and Fenor - were 2007 winners.
Congratulations to the winners for their continuous efforts and commitments
in improving community life and environment along the Copper Coast!

County Waterford Community Voluntary Awards 2007 Overall Winner: Boatstrand/ Dunabrattin Fishermen & Community (Award sponsored by WLR/fm) Seated, l to r: Mary Murray, Boatstrand/Dunabrattin Fishermen & Community; Liz Reddy, Head of News, WLRfm; Phyllis Lenihan, Boatstrand/Dunabrattin Fishermen & Community, and Cllr Billy Kyne, County Mayor. Standing: Des Whelan, MD, WLRfm; Oliver Coffey, Chairperson, WCF; Sinead O'Neill, Co-ordinator Waterford Community Forum; Caroline O'Dwyer, WLRfm, and DonalO'Brien, Boatstrand/Dunabrattin Fishermen & Community. e

County Waterford Community Voluntary Awards 2007 Neighbourhood Services Award Winners: Boatstrand/Dunbrattin Fishermen & Community (Award sponsored by Sherry/Fitzgerald/Reynolds) Seated, l-r: David Reynolds, MD, Sherry/Fitzgerald/Reynolds; Mary Murray and Phyllis Lenihan,Boatstrand/Dunbrattin Fishermen & Community and Cllr Billy Kyne, County Mayor. Standing: Brian White, Director of Services, WCC; Oliver Coffey, Chairperson, WCF; Sinead O'Neill, Project Co-ordinator, WCF and Donal O'Brien, Boatstrand/Dunbrattin Fishermen & Community. Photo: Sean Byrne

County Waterford Community Voluntary Awards 2007 Heritage & Environment Award Winners: Moin Fhionnurach, (Fenor Bog Group) (Award sponsored by i-to-i) Pictured, l-r: Oliver Coffey, Chairperson, Waterford County Community Forum; Jenny Beresford, i-to-i; Jimmy O'Sullivan, Fenor Bog Group; Teresa McDonnell, WCF and Cllr Billy Kyne, County Mayor. Photo: Sean Byrne