Heritage Sites in Dungarvan

Augustinian Abbey (1290 AD)

The Augustinians came from Clare Priory in Suffolk around 1290 having been invited over by their patron Thomas, Lord Offaly, Justiciary of Ireland. Dungarvan was attractive to the McGraths and O'Briens, who were eager to find a strong refuge and they set up an Augustinian Abbey in 1290 AD. At the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1541 it was stated that the Friary was in use as the parish church. It was leased to James Walshe, constable of the castle, in 1551.  The Abbey buildings were ruined after the Cromwellian attack on Dungarvan. The present Catholic Church, St. Augustine's Church was built on the foundations of the Abbey and incorporates fragments from it including the coat of arms on the west wall. 

Dungarvan Castle (12th century)

Dungarvan Castle (King John's Castle) is a 12th century Anglo-Norman Castle. Prince John arrived in Waterford in 1185 and initiated the building of a number of castles in the South East region which included one in Dungarvan. Dungarvan Castle is one of the few Royal Castles built in Ireland. The massive Southern wall with its walkway still survives and gives some indication of the original strength of the castle. Before the castle was built the Norman's erected a Motte and Bailey fortification in the in the early 1170s at Gallowshill to the West of the town. During the Irish Civil War, the barracks were taken by the IRA forces who set fire to it before leaving in August 1922. With the foundation of the Garda Siochana in 1922 the building was restored and used as the local Garda Station until 1987. It fell into disrepair, but today it has been restored and is managed by Dúchas, who provide guided tours, an audio-visual show and exhibitions during the summer months.

Old Market House (17th Century)


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Old Market House Arts Centre
Lower Main Street,
Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

In 1996 Waterford County Council employed Margaret Organ as Arts Officer and in her Arts Plan for the County it was recommended that an Arts Centre be made available to assist arts development. On April 10, 2000 the Old Market House Arts Centre was officially opened as an Arts Centre for County Waterford by Minister for the Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht, and the Islands, Síle de Valera T.D.

This building started life as a butter market in the late 1690s. The area in front of the building became known as the market place. In 1868 the Market House was purchased by  Robert A. Merry & Co. Ltd., as offices and stores for their grocery, wine and spirit business. In 1984 the building was restored and for many years housed the town library and museum. The Market house has been reconstructed to house an Arts Centre and renamed The Old Market House Arts Centre. The Arts Centre has year round local, national and touring exhibitions which change monthly.

St. Mary's Parish Church (19th century)

St. Mary's Parish Church was built in 1828 by George Richard Pain. The stark gable wall standing to the back of the Church is thought to have formed part of the pre-Reformation church of St. Mary the Virgin. The Churchyard contains some interesting gravestones. On the west side of the cemetery is a mass grave and a memorial to those who died in the Moresby shipwreck in 1895. The church has a T - plan and is built of limestone ashlar. The windows have simple Gothic style timber frames. An extension was added to the East Endin 1903, and also at this period, new stained-glass windows were installed by Watsons of Youghal. On the West gable is a stone inscribed: "J.H. and B.B. C.W. 1827" - the initials stand for John Hudson and Beresford Boate, Church Wardens.

The Waterford County Museum

Waterford County Museum, is dedicated to preserving the history of Dungarvan and West Waterford. It is located near the Town Hall, features key area events, genealogy, maritime history and more. The Museum presents the history of Dungarvan and West Waterford through a series of displays and panels.