History of the Town

Dungarvan, the administrative headquarters for the county, is situated on Dungarvan Harbour, where the River Colligan broadens and enters the sea.  It is a busy market town and an excellent holiday centre that can trace its origins back in history to the stone age.  It is recorded that in about the third century A.D., a tribe called the Déise settled on the site where Dungarvan now stands.  The area is still known as the Decies, or in Irish, Na Déise.  The name, Dungarvan, derives from the foundation by St. Garvan, of a monastery in the seventh century.  Norman Prince John came here in 1185 and had fortifications built.  Some remains of Dungarvan Castle, originally built by him but much altered at various later periods, stand beside the river.  In Abbeyside, the town's eastern side, are well preserved ruins of the Augustinian Priory founded in the thirteenth century.

Deep-sea and in-shore angling are particularly good in the Dungarvan area and fully equipped boats are available.  You can catch bass, cod, coalfish, conger, ling, mackerel, shark, pollock and many other species.  Salmon, trout and coarse fishing are available nearby.  There is no shortage of sporting activities in Dungarvan, horse riding, golf, tennis, squash, pitch and putt, board sailing, yachting and of course, swimming.  There are numerous sandy beaches within a 15 mile radius.  Particular mention must be made of Clonea, about 4 miles from the town centre, with its soft golden sand making it the perfect place for all the family to laze away the long summer days.