Kilmacthomas may be a small town, but it has some pretty big attractions - there's the iconic eight-arch viaduct spanning the Mahon River that's become synonymous with West Waterdord and its wonderful Greenway, for a start - and, in the shadow of the soaring arches, you'll find one of Ireland's oldest and best-loved businesses, the 7th generation Flahavans oatmills which dates back to at least 1785.
In the intervening years the Waterford to Mallow railway has come and gone - but Kilmacthomas now has another claim to fame as it's the halfway mark of the the Greenway Line cycle and walking route, running along the disused railway track between Waterford city, to the east, and westward to Dungarvan along the scenic Copper Coast. And, on the edge of town lies the historic Famine Workhouse development, which now has a more cheerful use as the central gathering point for Greenway users - and is home to the extraordinary Coach House Coffee.
This impressive two-storey cafe and bistro is well signed over a wide area, yet it's hidden from the road so the sheer scale and energy of the project takes first time visitors by surprise as they come upon the large carpark and an extensive outside seating area spilling out in front of the cut stone Victorian buildings.
Appropriately enough industrial chic is the order of the day in the café, where - although it's far from being the only gig in town - coffee (and tea) is indeed the ruling passion of owners Craig Dee and Stephen Lynch and their fast-footed team.
As they explain themselves: "Coach House Coffee use hand roasted coffee and expertly selected tea leaves, with an obsession around quality. Grade 1 Arabica beans are sourced under Coffee with a Conscience which forms part of the suppliers Corporate Social Responsibility Programme. The Irish roasted coffee is delivered to the door each week, meaning the coffee is not sitting for weeks or even months in dry packaging, ensuring the freshest possible cup every time you visit the Coach House."
What's more a blackboard informs the farm and location the beans were sourced, date of roasting and roaster. "Coach House Coffee’s commitment to ethical trade ensures that only coffee bought from recognised ethical suppliers using sustainable farms and co-operatives is used in their brews."
But, while an expertly brewed ethically sourced maybe just the ticket for many of the very diverse people in the thronging crowd, most also bring a healthy appetite and there's a great range of food on the all day menu which offers everything from homemade soup of the day (served with a cute freshly baked mini loaf of brown bread), to salads, gourmet sandwiches (try the BLT made with the famous regional speciality bread roll, the Waterford blaa), open sandwiches and hot blackboard specials.
Surprisingly perhaps, considering the level of demand, everything is made freshly on site and (although suppliers aren't credited) based on an eat-local sourcing policy - and the staff are fantastic, delivering really fast service wih a smile even at the busiest times. The practical system - order at the counter for delivery to your table - works very well and, while you're up there, you're bound to be tempted by some of the delicious home baked treats on display. What's coffee without cake, after all.
