Motorists travelling along the Old Tramore Road, near Waterford City and close to the N25, have for years reported a disturbing and unexplained sight. Drivers describe encountering the figure of an elderly man who appears suddenly at the roadside or steps directly out into the path of oncoming vehicles.

The apparition is consistently described as having a bent or stooped posture, giving the impression of great age or physical frailty. In several accounts, motorists have instinctively braked or swerved to avoid hitting him, only for the figure to vanish without trace before any impact occurs. When drivers stop and look back, there is no sign of anyone on the road or verge.

What makes these sightings particularly unsettling is their suddenness and clarity. Witnesses often report seeing the figure clearly for a brief moment — long enough to register clothing, posture, and movement — before he disappears completely. No physical explanation has ever been confirmed, and no injured pedestrian has ever been found in connection with these incidents.

As with many roadside apparitions, explanations range from optical illusions and momentary misperception caused by low light or fatigue, to something more difficult to explain. Nevertheless, the consistency of the descriptions – particularly the bent posture and abrupt disappearance – has ensured that the Old Tramore Road retains its reputation as one of the more unsettling stretches of road in the Waterford area.