utilise the present docking facilities due to a lack of water depth. However, a small number of fishermen maintain some of the old fishing practices as they continue to fish from Ardmore. The Samson, a crane ship, was wrecked on Ram Head, near the village, during a December storm in 1987 as it was being towed from Liverpool to Malta. Its wreck is now a diving spot. There are many other older wrecks in the bay area including the Marechal de Noailles, Bandon, Peri, Scotland, Sextusa and Peg Tranton, and later wrecks including Anne Sophie and Fee des Ondes. The remaining keel of the latter wreck may still be seen at low tide on the main beach. Features The village includes two hotels, a number of pubs and restaurants, a seasonal petrol station, a pier and slipway, and one store. There are also several sports clubs and a primary school. The village was the overall winner of the Irish Tidy Towns Competition in 1992. Ardmore is a seaside resort with a mile-long beach, commonly termed the Main Beach. Other nearby beaches include Goat Island, Ballyquin, the Curragh, and Whiting Bay. Ardmore's main beach was awarded Blue Flag beach status in 2018. Improvements in water quality at the beach were attributed to a wastewater treatment plant which was opened in 2015. As of 2020, the beach retained its Blue Flag status. In 2006 a new hotel, the Cliff House Hotel, was opened in place of the older Cliff Hotel. There is a cliff path, beginning near this hotel, and ending back in the main street. The cliff walk, which has marker posts erected along the route, passes an old remodeled Coastguard Station, St Declan's Cell and Holy Well, a ruined church, the wreck of the Samson, an abandoned 20th century coast guard lookout, and another, much older, lookout tower. Further along the walk is a well with stone canopy, known as Fr. O'Donnells Well. The monastic complex is atop the hill above the village. Transport Ardmore is served on a daily basis by Bus Éireann route 260 which links it to, inter alia, Youghal, Midleton and Cork city. Until 2010 it was also served by route 362 which linked it to Waterford via Dungarvan. Sport The local Gaelic Athletic Association club is Ardmore GAA. The area is also home to a watersports centre, an association football (soccer) club, and a juvenile