It's one of the most popular resorts in Ireland, yet how many of the thousands who visit Tramore every summer bother to take in the town centre as part of the experience?
Not many, it would seem; for most visitors, Tramore is the long, sandy beach, amusement arcades and outdoor fun park, and the pubs, restaurants, takeaways and other services to be found in seaside resorts.
Clearly, it's an attractive package, judging by the numbers who continue to favour Tramore as a holiday destination. But while one part of the town cashes in on its good fortune, the remainder, it appears, must accept its lot as a largely ignored satellite of Waterford.
Not so, according to a public-spirited group which wants to kick-start a debate on the revitalisation of Tramore town centre.
The voluntary group, comprising two architects, Ms Anne Harpur and Mr Dave Smyth, who both live in Tramore, and a sculptor, Mr John O'Connor, has been working since early this year on proposals to transform the town, improve the quality of life of its residents and make it a more attractive place to visit.
"Our main focus is on the community, as opposed to the tourists," said Mr Smyth. "But we feel that if the centre of the town becomes more lively, more vibrant and more interesting, the tourists will automatically be attracted to it."
The group will announce its ideas this evening at a public forum in the town attended by planners from Waterford County Council, and to which local politicians have been invited.
The trio, who were previously involved in a similar campaign to revitalise the quays in Waterford city, stress that they are not attempting to impose their ideas on the townspeople, but simply hope to provoke discussion and, ultimately, action on the issues they're raising.
They also emphasise that Tramore already has a lot going for it, with a young, vibrant population, a strong traditional music culture including a weekly "songwriters' forum" and one of the biggest surf clubs in the country.
Ms Harpur says the town has something of a "Bohemian presence". But the group is full of ideas about how things could be improved. Some involve major matters of public policy; others are within the compass of private individuals and could be implemented immediately.
Using Clonakilty and Dingle as examples of what can be achieved with a little imagination, the lack of colour in Tramore is one of the first issues which, the three say, should be addressed. "We're starting with the things that can be easily done," says Mr Smyth. "Individuals could pick up the litter that's on their doorsteps, paint their front doors and paint their buildings."
On a larger scale, overhead cables should be placed underground, public lighting needs to be improved and footpaths upgraded, the group says.
Other measures would require longer-term planning. An examination of the town's traffic system; the building of town houses on vacant sites; a landscaping scheme including tree-planting and the erection of public sculptures; and the pedestrianisation of Queen Street are just some of the proposals being put forward.
A Saturday food market, with fresh fish and a variety of locally produced foods, as well as high quality crafts from the region, could be reinstated in Market Square, the group adds.
The whole approach will be to accentuate the positive while looking at the potential for improvement. "What we're asking people to do is stand back and focus on what the really good parts of Tramore are. The steep hills, the views, the little winding streets, the little lanes," says Mr Smyth. "Because the town is on a hill, you have little lanes that interconnect which, if they were improved and properly paved, would be beautiful little alleyways to wander around."
As a first step, the group hopes Waterford County Council will commit itself to a detailed town study which would form the basis of a policy to be incorporated into the county development plan.
Ultimately Tramore, says Ms Harpur, has a choice. It can remain a "dormitory town" linked to Waterford "or it can redefine itself as a separate entity".
Measured drawings of the town's Main Street done by students of architecture at Waterford Institute of Technology will be on display at this evening's public forum, in the Protestant Hall on Church Road from 7.30 p.m.
