Blackwater Eco Tours

Blackwater Eco Tours Blackwater Eco Tours offers glamping pod accommodation, guided river tours, self-drive boats and kaya
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Blackwater Eco Tours is a non-profit company established by the Villierstown Education and Cultural Project, to promote awareness of the unspoilt natural beauty and unique historic heritage of the Blackwater River Valley in Waterford. The area has been designated a Special Area of Conservation within which certain habitats and species must be protected. Sensitive to the environment and its history

, Blackwater Eco Tours offers boat trips on the river from May to September, incorporating in-depth local knowledge of all the river has to offer. On the river, you’ll see and learn about the ruins of Molana Abbey, a 6th century monastery, thought to have been raided by Vikings, and Rhincrew Abbey, a preceptory for the Knights Templar, as well as numerous estate houses and castles such as Strancally Castle, Ballynatray House, Camphire House and Dromana House. You’ll learn about the economic history that saw large ships traverse the river importing coal and exporting timber for props in the coal mines. You’ll also experience the diverse ecology of the river valley, including tidal mudflats and one of the most extensive tracts of wet woodland in the country, together with the chance to see Peregrine Falcons and Kingfishers. The Blackwater River Valley is a pristine and sublime setting for those looking to experience the natural environment and its human histories.

Looking for some gift ideas for Father’s Day this Sunday 16th June? Why not come and join us on the blackwater river for...
13/06/2024

Looking for some gift ideas for Father’s Day this Sunday 16th June? Why not come and join us on the blackwater river for a 90 minute guided tour this Sunday? Places filling fast! Our 12:30pm Sunday tour has very limited availability but we still have some spaces on our 14:30pm tour.
Gift vouchers also available for our pods, kayak trips, river tours and self drive boats so visit blackwaterecotours.ie or call 089-2538699.

River tours this weekend:
Friday- 11:00am (fully booked) 13:00pm (spaces)
Saturday- 11:30am (spaces) 13:30pm (fully booked)
Sunday- 12:30pm (very limited space) 14:30pm (spaces)

BVOF is underway and will be in Villierstown church tomorrow for recitals. Always a lovely afternoon and beautiful lunch...
29/05/2024

BVOF is underway and will be in Villierstown church tomorrow for recitals. Always a lovely afternoon and beautiful lunch provided by Ross in the saucy hen.

We have our 90 minute guided river tours back running tomorrow for the bank holiday weekend with a 10:30am sailing and a 12:30pm sailing scheduled for tomorrow. We hear the weather is also going to be nice 🌞🌞 spaces limited for the weekend so book now to avoid disappointment!! Book directly on blackwaterecotours.ie or call 089 2538699

Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Blackwater Eco Tours

Snap up the last few tickets for the BVOF Chorus Recital 2024! 🎶✨🎟️

An annual highlight of our festival, members of the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Chorus will return this year to Villierstown Church where you can join us for an afternoon of performances by some of Ireland’s finest emerging singers. The programme promises a wonderful selection of arias, duets, and ensembles from the world’s most beloved operas, accompanied by 2024 BVOF Bursary Award winner Frasier Hickland.

Book the Lunchtime Dining Package and enjoy lunch at 12pm in The Saucy Hen Villierstown before this recital🍽️

Our BVOF Chorus members for 2024 are:
Sereda Soprano, Aimee Kearney Singer, Emily Hogarty, Rachael Conaghan Mezzo-Soprano, Stephen Walker, kearns, Fionn Ó HAlmhain Bass and Luke Stanley Baritone.


📅 Thursday 30 May 1pm
📍 Villierstown Church
🍽️ Lunchtime Recital Package: Saucy Hen Villierstown at 12pm. Pre-booking essential.
🎟️ https://blackwatervalleyopera.ie/recital-performances/book-bvof-chorus-recital/



What a shot 👏 here is your sign to get out on the river!
28/05/2024

What a shot 👏 here is your sign to get out on the river!

A quiet, calm evening paddling along and then you see this .. like a mirror on another world 🪩🌄

📸 Taken at Avonmore Bridge, Cappoquin from a kayak on the River Blackwater
Blackwater Boating
Blackwater Eco Tours

Competition now live with for a stay in our pods and a river trip.
27/05/2024

Competition now live with for a stay in our pods and a river trip.

Planning a visit to Waterford this summer? Why not come and stay with us. Villierstown is ideally located to explore all...
27/05/2024

Planning a visit to Waterford this summer? Why not come and stay with us. Villierstown is ideally located to explore all that West Waterford has to offer! Here's what a recent guest had to say about their visit......

** Maternity leave cover job Opportunity at Blackwater Eco Tours ** please send all enquiries or CVs to info@vecp.ie Clo...
27/05/2024

** Maternity leave cover job Opportunity at Blackwater Eco Tours ** please send all enquiries or CVs to [email protected]
Closing date Wednesday 5th June.

Our river tours are back tomorrow and running for the weekend. Come join us! See below for this weekends availability Th...
22/05/2024

Our river tours are back tomorrow and running for the weekend. Come join us!

See below for this weekends availability

Thursday- 5pm (fully booked) or 7pm
Friday- 6pm (limited availability left)
Saturday- 6:30pm
Sunday morning- 9am

Call 089 2538699 or visit blackwaterecotours.ie to book now!

Still some spaces left on our 90 minute guided river tour tomorrow morning, departing at 10am. Call 089 2538699 to book ...
11/05/2024

Still some spaces left on our 90 minute guided river tour tomorrow morning, departing at 10am. Call 089 2538699 to book a space now!

Our guided river tours are running all weekend and we are also open on bank holiday Monday. Spaces filling up fast but a...
02/05/2024

Our guided river tours are running all weekend and we are also open on bank holiday Monday.

Spaces filling up fast but a few seats still available for
Saturday @ 14:00 & 16:00
Sunday @ 15:30 & 17:30
Monday @ 16:00 & 18:00

Book online now @ Blackwaterecotours.ie or call 089 2538699

Congratulations to Visit Waterford on the launch of their new campaign "Dive in" Visit Waterford check it out below!
02/05/2024

Congratulations to Visit Waterford on the launch of their new campaign "Dive in" Visit Waterford check it out below!

Congratulations to on their "Dive in" campaign! You can also Dive into the Blackwater http://mhq284link.powerhousepr.ie...
02/05/2024

Congratulations to on their "Dive in" campaign!

You can also Dive into the Blackwater


http://mhq284link.powerhousepr.ie/ls/click?upn=u001.DNsbJEwyXok-2Bc8uVFc1qUFxR9hhAlwWlq-2FwvHOKjZvYdqPM-2Fp0iMWRWXMpMTXFMk-2F2-2FlJ2Uto8hxJOsH5At2EQ-3D-3DQaFD_APjF2AIQ1ejg8jfE-2B3Alu3gKsGxWZoHi-2Fc8NTl3ZmlxvAXf3XEUNW1233-2FnhfRonaLdhU984BuaHr-2BmOdGjg6zNnWafYgz1DZaRXBmfAE1bM7G7vRhD6qJ9OaRdYQznZLDbMbdjdDLlhAZvGp1fVHbWJ71OGYrcWzTNDYfUmlcDWY-2B0sU8p1fEY-2FxigK6xecej1p2LGq8ZdTbeFx9GYzhzYGDq4gKA1eV71sTYAeQspaiIKpiy5gDUpONhVRPi3V

Looking for something different this summer? We not join us on one of our River Tours or make a weekend of it in our Gla...
01/05/2024

Looking for something different this summer? We not join us on one of our River Tours or make a weekend of it in our Glamping Pods.
To book contact us on 089 2538699 or online .ie

As the sun goes down on a fantastic weekend in Waterford, all at Blackwater Eco Tours would like to thank the event orga...
21/04/2024

As the sun goes down on a fantastic weekend in Waterford, all at Blackwater Eco Tours would like to thank the event organisers and those who visited Waterford Festival of Food. Looking forward to 2025 already.

Today's first tour of the day for the Waterford Festival of Food is on the river. We are blessed with the weather this w...
20/04/2024

Today's first tour of the day for the Waterford Festival of Food is on the river. We are blessed with the weather this weekend. Next tour going out at 5:30pm for another river feast with the lovely picnics from Tory's cakes and bakes.

Great day to be back on the river with our river tours. Loads of happy faces after today's trip.
18/04/2024

Great day to be back on the river with our river tours. Loads of happy faces after today's trip.

The Waterford Festival of food kicks off tomorrow and we are told the weather is supposed to be lovely. We are fully boo...
18/04/2024

The Waterford Festival of food kicks off tomorrow and we are told the weather is supposed to be lovely. We are fully booked again this year for our special Blackwater Eco Tours River Cruise with a unique Taste of Waterford Picnic from Tory’s Cakes and Bakes. Our tours will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We are now back in operation with our river tours Thursday-Sunday so come and explore the history, heritage, and beautiful natural environment of the Blackwater River. Visit us online or call 089-2538699 to book now.

Plan a Waterford tour with Blackwater Eco Tours to experience boat tours, water activities, kayaking, canoeing walking trails, eco pods etc

Lovely pop up event run here this weekend by the very talented ladies Cora, Amanda & Jackie. Not to be missed. Friday, S...
16/04/2024

Lovely pop up event run here this weekend by the very talented ladies Cora, Amanda & Jackie. Not to be missed. Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Buses daily from Dungarvan to Villierstown.

On our doorstep! Booking is now open. See details below to join St. Declan's Way this year! Accommodation available in B...
23/01/2024

On our doorstep! Booking is now open. See details below to join St. Declan's Way this year! Accommodation available in Blackwater Eco pods for the Aglish to Ardmore leg. Contact us on 0892538699 for more information.

👟 Lace up your hiking boots! Booking for St Declan's Way 2024 is now open. Join us on the scenic stages from Cashel to Ardmore. 🌄 Secure your spot via our online booking. Find the link on our website or Facebook post. 🍀

Happy new year from all of us at Blackwater Eco Tours! Wishing you all a fantastic year ahead. Here’s to health, wealth ...
31/12/2023

Happy new year from all of us at Blackwater Eco Tours! Wishing you all a fantastic year ahead. Here’s to health, wealth and all round success. See you all when we reopen in April.

30/11/2023

Ayla discovering what Villierstown has to offer!

Tune in to TG4 this Wednesday night at 9:30pm to catch the stars from Déise Day Centre. We were privileged to give a hel...
30/10/2023

Tune in to TG4 this Wednesday night at 9:30pm to catch the stars from Déise Day Centre. We were privileged to give a helping hand to Red Shoe Productions for some filming on the river blackwater. Always a great day when these ladies and gents visit us in Villierstown.

Another great day out meeting a lovely group of people. Thanks to Munster Vales and Triona for having us.
26/10/2023

Another great day out meeting a lovely group of people. Thanks to Munster Vales and Triona for having us.

23/10/2023

This weekend is your last chance to get on the river before the season closes for 2023. Our kayak session and river tour times are Thursday 3.30pm, Friday 4pm, Saturdays is 4.30pm and Sunday at 4:30pm. Book online now at blackwaterwecotours.ie or call 089-2538699.

We would like to thank everyone that came to visit us over the summer, all our members, seasonal staff and those who came to have a coffee and a chat and we look forward to 2024. Our season will kick off again in April 2024 and emails sent out in the new year regarding membership and opening.

We are hiring! Get in touch if you think this is something for you.
04/10/2023

We are hiring! Get in touch if you think this is something for you.

The best of luck to the Waterford Camogie team today in the All Ireland Final. Some of our members are flying the flag f...
06/08/2023

The best of luck to the Waterford Camogie team today in the All Ireland Final. Some of our members are flying the flag for you today on the Blackwater!

30/06/2023

Some spaces have become available for our 4:30pm river tour today. Call 089-2538699 if you would like to join us.

Still some spaces available for our River Tours this weekend so why not come and join us on one of the fine evenings thi...
13/06/2023

Still some spaces available for our River Tours this weekend so why not come and join us on one of the fine evenings this week. We have availability Friday at 18:00pm, Saturday at 19:00pm (17:00pm river tour is fully booked) and limited availability on Sundays tours at 17:30pm and 19:30pm. Visit blackwaterecotours.ie to book online or else call/text 089-2538699 to find out further information and book directly.

Plan a Waterford tour with Blackwater Eco Tours to experience boat tours, water activities, kayaking, canoeing walking trails, eco pods etc

Great to have the Waterford Ladies under 14 team on the Blackwater yesterday. The sun was shining and great fun was had ...
28/05/2023

Great to have the Waterford Ladies under 14 team on the Blackwater yesterday. The sun was shining and great fun was had by all. Hope to see ye all again soon ladies!

Waterford Ladies Football

Contact us for group bookings on 089-2538699

With the weather looking so good for this weekend why not join us on a river tour on the blackwater. We have tours on Sa...
24/05/2023

With the weather looking so good for this weekend why not join us on a river tour on the blackwater. We have tours on Saturday at 10:30am or 12:30pm and also on Sunday 11:30 am. Our tour Sunday at 13:30pm is sold out.

Plan a Waterford tour with Blackwater Eco Tours to experience boat tours, water activities, kayaking, canoeing walking trails, eco pods etc

Address

Villierstown Quay
Cappoquin
P51X6T7

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 7pm
Sunday 9am - 7pm

Telephone

+353892538699

Website

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Videos

Ayla discovering what Villierstown has to offer!

Spring is here and Summer is not far behind! Are you ready to explore the Blackwater River Valley? Book your break away today! See our special Eco Pod rates for stays from June to October 👉 http://www.booking.com/Share-o7Y75J Book River Activities Online. Commencing in May. 🛥 #RiverTours 👉 https://www.blackwaterecotours.ie/guided-river-tour/ 🚤 #SelfDriveBoats 👉 https://www.blackwaterecotours.ie/self-drive-boats/ 🛶 #Kayaks & #Canoes 👉 https://www.blackwaterecotours.ie/kayaks-and-canoes/ Visit - blackwaterecotours.ie Call or message - 0892538699 #Villierstown #VisitWaterford #IrelandsAncientEast #MunsterVales #Glamping #BlackwaterRiver #CelticRoutes

Take a boat on the Blackwater River
Take a boat on the Blackwater River

Our Self-Drive boats have been really popular over the last year. What’s not to like! ➡️ Explore the historic Blackwater River at your leisure ➡️ Enjoy a fun few hours diving a power boat yourself ➡️ Create a special memory with your family or friends No power boating experience necessary, our staff will teach you all you need know. Visit blackwaterecotours.ie/reservations or message 089 2538699 #powerboating #selfdriveboats #BlackwaterRiver #Villierstown #VisitWaterford #IrelandsAncientEast #StayCation #OutdoorSummer

Is your idea of a #staycation to relax, unwind and recharge your batteries? Or, is it to experience and get active in nature? With us, you can do both! Relax in your own #glamping pod and experience the Blackwater River Valley with boat tours, self-drive boats and kayaking. Visit blackwaterecotours.ie #VisitWaterford #IrelandsAncientEast #DiscoverIreland #EcoTourism #CommunityTourism #WhenWeTravelAgain #MunsterVales #BlackwaterRiver #RiverTours #SelfDriveBoats #Kayaking #Canoeing #WhenWeTravelAgain #waterfordgreenway

Looking for #StayCation ideas? Look no further. Comfy glamping pods with the beautiful Blackwater River nearby and your choice of a river tour, self-drive boats or kaykaing (or all three 😁)! #VisitWaterford #IrelandsAncientEast #DiscoverIreland #EcoTourism #CommunityTourism #WhenWeTravelAgain #MunsterVales #BlackwaterRiver #RiverTours #SelfDriveBoats #Kayaking #Canoeing

Coming soon...(hopefully)
Coming soon...(hopefully)

Hopefully, we'll be back on the river soon. Most likely with reduced numbers and social distancing.
Hopefully, we'll be back on the river soon. Most likely with reduced numbers and social distancing.

Hopefully we'll be on the water this Summer.

A beautiful spring day in the Blackwater river valley. Please enjoy it locally! Don't go to known busy locations for a walk, instead enjoy the wonder of nature on your doorstep. I'm talking to all those people crowding Glendalough obviously! Stay safe, stay smart. #socialdistancing #staylocal #blackwaterecotours

Thanks so much to @liliforberg for visiting us here in Villierstown, to stay in one of our eco pods. Despite the rain lili and her family also took a river tours on one of our self-drive boats. Here's a video of her trip! #ecopods #waterford #irelandsancienteast #munstervales #blackwaterriver #boat tours #selfdriveboats #villierstown

Scenes from this morning's breakfast on the Blackwater River at Villierstown Quay. 😀😀🤗🙊🐉🐡🌳- We have river tours across the weekend from Thursday to Sunday ⛴🕛🌞 - Call us on 089 2538699 to book your tour today.

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday Blackwater Eco Tours is at #camphireinternational - morning and evening tours. Visit our trade stand for times and booking. #rivertours #waterfordtourism #irelandsancienteast

This friendly Bluetit performed the not uncommon circus trick of flying into the kitchen window. It was a bit stunned for a few minutes but made its eventually. Beautifully coloured feathers. #birdsofinstagram #birds #munsterblackwater #wildlife #irelandsancienteast #waterford

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Our Story

Blackwater Eco Tours is a community established social enterprise based in Villierstown Co. Waterford. It was established by the Villierstown Education and Cultural Project (VECP), to create employment in the area and to promote awareness of the unspoilt natural beauty and unique historic heritage of the Blackwater River Valley in Waterford. The area is designated a Special Area of Conservation within which certain habitats and species must be protected. Sensitive to the environment and its history, Blackwater Eco Tours offers river tours and self-drive boats, woodland walking trails and Eco Pod accommodation. On the river, you’ll see and learn about the ruins of Molana Abbey, a 6th century monastery, thought to have been raided by Vikings, and Rhincrew Abbey, a preceptory for the Knights Templar, as well as numerous estate houses and castles such as Strancally Castle, Ballynatray House, Camphire House and Dromana House. You’ll learn about the economic history that saw large ships traverse the river importing coal and exporting timber for props in the coal mines. You’ll also experience the diverse ecology of the river valley, including tidal mudflats and one of the most extensive tracts of wet woodland in the country, together with the chance to see Peregrine Falcons and Kingfishers. The Blackwater River Valley is a pristine and sublime setting for those looking to experience the natural environment and its human histories.

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