In the 1980s at Lefanta, just south of the town, 7,000-year-old artifacts were discovered, which evidence some of Ireland's earliest inhabitants. Cappoquin is the birthplace of the poet Thomas McCarthy. It is also the birthplace of Michael Cavanagh, a poet, writer, historian and Fenian who was involved in the attack on the constabulary barracks in Cappoquin. Soon after this, he went to America with fellow rebels, where he often wrote and spoke of Cappoquin and its inhabitants. Notable buildings in the town include Cappoquin Market House, built c.1775, which is a three bay building, now used as a shop. Cappoquin House, also built in the 1770s, overlooks the town and has formal gardens and landscaped grounds which are open to the public. The 18th centuryDromana House, and its elaborate gate lodge, are also located near Cappoquin.
Economy
Within the town's centre, employers include a number of shops and businesses, including Kelleher's SuperValu, Feerick's pharmacy, the post office and the Cappoquin credit union. Some of the largest individual local employers are located on the Cappoquin industrial estate, located a half mile into adjoining Lefanta. Businesses located here include Pat Denn feeds, Calmark Ireland, FBA laboratories Ltd, Glenside woodside design and Paul Flynn hardware. Being surrounded by fertile fields on all sides, farming and agriculture plays an important role in the town, providing employment on farms and orchards scattered around the area. Near Cappoquin is West Waterford Vineyards, an Irish wine producer. The town has suffered with the decline in the local economy and the loss of both Cappoquin pork and bacon as well as Cappoquin chickens as well as local shops and secondary school.
Sport
is the localGaelic Athletic Association club. Formed in 1969, with the merging of Affane GAA and Cappoquin GAA, the team won its only Waterford Senior Football Championship title in 1974. Affane went on to represent Waterford in the Munster Senior Club Football Championship, losing to Austin Stacks of Kerry. Cappoquin Rowing Club is the town's oldest sporting and social organisation, and was founded in 1862 by James M. Moore and John Stanley. They were assisted by Sir John H. Keane who became the first president of the rowing club, and who had previously captained the Trinity Boat at Cambridge and rowed for Cambridge in 1936 when they defeated Oxford. In the 1880s Cappoquin joined with other rowing clubs nationwide to establish the Irish Amateur Rowing Association. Railway Athletic FC was founded in 1980 and is situated at Danes Field, Cappoquin.
Transport
Bus services
Since December 2015 there have been improvements to the frequency of the Local Link bus service. There are now four services a day each way Mondays to Saturdays inclusive to Dungarvan including a commuter service. Connections to Waterford and Rosslare Europort can be made at Dungarvan. In the other direction there are four services to and from Tallow via Lismore. Connections for Fermoy can be made at Tallow. On Saturdays, a local bus company operate a service to Cork. On Sundays Bus Éireannroute 366 provides one service to Dungarvan and Waterford. This route only operates on Sundays and comprises a single journey in one direction.
Rail
Cappoquin railway station opened on 12 August 1878, but closed on 27 March 1967. It was located on the now dismantled Waterford to Mallow line and served by the Cork to Rosslareboat train. The construction of the railway bridge below the river bend was to result in tall-masted schooners being no longer able to pass under what was now known as the 'red bridge'. As compensation for this, a new "steamers' quay" was constructed just down river. The station is still extant.
