Waterford – The Authentic Irish City

Waterford has an incredible wealth of history that can be seen in abundance if people take the time to visit the ‘Museum of Treasures’ in Waterford City.

T.F. Meagher (1823 – 1867), one of Waterford’s most famous sons, was a leader of the Young Irelanders and a General in the American civil war. He conceived the Irish Tricolour and first flew it on March 1st 1848 at 33 the Mall, Waterford City. The flag was adopted by the Irish Republic in 1919.

Luke Wadding (1588 – 1657), a Waterford born Franciscan Friar, was a highly regarded intellect of his time. Through Wadding’s efforts, St. Patrick’s Day was set up as a Feast day.

These are probably the two most identifyable Irish symbols and they started here in Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city.

If you’re proud you’re from Waterford or you have a connection with Waterford then join the I’m Proud I’m from Waterford Facebook Page

I’ve proposed an idea for a Tricolour festival on yourcountryyourcall.com.

The annual festival will begin on the 1st of March with a ‘Ceremony of the Flag’ on The Mall in Waterford City, at the location and on the anniversary of the Tricolour’s first flight in 1848, and will conclude in climactic fashion in Dublin on the 17th of March, to celebrate and commemorate its adoption by the Irish Republic in 1919.

During the 17 days the flag will be relayed through the towns and cities of Ireland (much like the Olympic torch) so that each location along the route can be showcased and highlighted by the media, celebrating some notable Irish achievements in that area.

If you have a few minutes I’d appreciate your support of this idea. Here’s the link: http://proposals.yourcountryyourcall.com/ct/ct_a_view_idea.bix?i=B462113F

Waterford GAA – Hurling & Football

101 Reasons to Love Waterford

1     Waterford is the oldest city in Ireland
2     Lismore is the most beautiful town in Ireland
3     The quay in Waterford is one of the grandest in Europe
4     We have one of the best gardens in the world, Mount Congreve
5     We have the most historically significant school in the country (possibly the world) in Mount Sion, founded in 1802 by none other than Edmund Rice
6     We have the best indigenous food in the country called the blaa;  just magnificent and incomparable to any other type of bread product
7     Waterford Crystal, the original and still the best, everything else is just a cheap copy
8     A Waterfordian named Thomas Francis Meagher invented the tricolour Irish Flag
9     We have Europe’s most significant Viking site in Woodstown, Co. Waterford
10     Waterford has 6 amazing towers still standing in the city dating back 1000 years
11     Waterford has Ireland’s oldest civic building, Reginald’s tower, fantastic building, 1200 years old
12     We have produced one of the world’s most renowned scientists in Robert Boyle (Boyle’s Law, The Father of Modern Chemistry)
13     Knockeen Dolmen is one of the finest examples of a Dolmen in Ireland
14     We have the best IT in the country, which must become a University
15     We have produced one of the greatest light opera composers of all time in William Vincent Wallace
16     Ardmore Tower is a famous ecclesiastical site founded by St. Declan (county motto: Up Declan and the Deise)
17     Stradbally is one of the most beautiful towns with one of the most beautiful beaches in the country
18     The Comeragh Mountains are a spectacular range with amazing character
19     We have some of the most amazing coast in the country from Tramore to Ardmore and beyond; must be viewed to be believed!
20     We have some of the best hurlers and hurling in the country
21     Garrarus is an amazing untouched beach that has to be visited
22     Tramore beach is a fantastic 4 mile beach with a huge back strand
23     The sand hills in Tramore are the best example of Sand Dunes in the country
24     Gaulstown Dolmen is another fabulous Dolmen that is very accessible and well maintained, you can actually sit inside it and make a wish
25     We have the best slang in the country, so we do boy (just check out the slang section on the site)
26     We have the magic hill, which defies gravity; an amazing phenomenon
27     We have the beautiful Mahon Falls, very accessible and very beautiful
28     We have the amazing Coumshingaun for all you hill walkers, this is a sight to behold!!!
29     We have the Metal Man protecting ships from our coast, the only one in the country…
30     We have some of the oldest pubs in the country (e.g. T&H Doolan’s, Downses)
31     We have some of the best restaurants in the country (critically acclaimed)
32     We have a brilliant night life in the city with late bars and night clubs galore
33     We have a the lovely public People’s Park with facilities for the little ones
34     The town from Johnstown & Michael Street to Barronstrand St. & O’Connell Street (long old walk)
35     Waterford’s Luke Wadding of Greyfriars set up St. Patrick’s Day as a Feast
36     We have a lovely clock tower on the quay in the city
37     We have one of the most accessible ports in the country
38     We have the island on the river with the beautiful Waterford Castle situated on it (go there for a meal and check out the ladies toilet!!!)
39     We have produced the country’s finest magician in Keith Barry
40     We have produced amazing soccer talent with the likes of Beglin and O’Shea
41     We have the best street festival in the country, Spraoi, on the August bank holiday weekend
42     We have Ireland’s fastest flowing river
43     We have the Suir valley railway so that people can appreciate the beauty of the valley
44     The Knockmealdowns mountain range present a fantastic spin in The Vee drive
45     Mount Mellary is a very famous and equally beautiful grotto and monastery
46     We have some of the the best Fish & Chip establishments in Ireland and unique food products such as the Scollop
47     We have the finest 18th century ecclesiastical building in Ireland (Christ Church Cathedral)
48     We have coined the best phrases e.g. by hook or by crook and pay through the nose
49     The amazing geology of the Copper Coast  has to be experienced
50     Tourin House & Gardens are contained on a 17th century estate 3 miles south of Cappoquin
51     The Kilmac viaduct with spectacular view and beautiful picnic area
52     Lismore Castle and the grounds are a must see
53     The city walls and 3 towers on castle street are amazing to see in a modern city
54     The Granary (Waterford Treasures) Museum is a internationally acclaimed museum
55     Passage East is a quaint little town with amazing viewpoints
56     Woodstown is a lovely beach with beautiful forestry nearby
57     Dunmore is brilliant for the craic and the summer festivals
58     Sauleens a different kind of beach experience, sand for miles
59     Newtown has a great view for parking
60     Kilfarassy has character abounding
61     Kilmurrin a lovely little beach, captures the sun in an unbelievable way
62     Annestown, the only town in Ireland without a pub, has a wonderful beach
63     Boatstrand a lovely beach with great fishing nearby and a pier for the kids to jump off
64     Bonmahon, great beach for camping and caravan holidays
65     Clonea, yet another lovely beach
66     Fornaught, Portally, Rathmoylan, Ballymacaw, Whiting Bay, Creaden, Ballydwan, Ballyvornay… did I mention we had beaches…
67     Crubeens, Salty Ribs, Colcannon and all our lovely offal meat products
68     Greyfriars, a ruin in the city centre that you could spend the day just looking at
69     The very fine Theatre Royal
70     Waterford City shopping
71     We have BlackFriars just opposite city square, hidden in the city, what other city has so many sites that they can be ignored like this
72     Towers in Lismore is an amazing sight!
73     The view of the coast from Helvic Head back to Newtown
74     The lovely coastal town of Dungarvan
75     Driving across the bridge after being away on holidays (the bridge of emotions)
76     Stalling yungwans behind the glass
77     The great history of soccer in Waterford, the legends of the past and the recent successes
78     The excellent golf courses of the Deise, from Faithlegg to Dungarvan to Lismore
79     Dog racing in Kilcohan, an alternative Saturday night
80     Tramore Racecourse
81     The Light Opera Festival, a brilliant alternative to the flicks!
82    Kayaking by Kilfarrassey
83     Fresh water angling on the Suir and Blackwater, and the various lakes and reservoirs
84     Sea angling off the coast from Dunmore to Dungarvan and beyond
85     An Rinn, Waterford’s Gaeltacht; out of this world!
86     Downes No. 9, still blended in the 200 year old pub!
87     John Robert’s architecture in City Hall and the two Cathedrals (which are quite different)
88     The square named after the man (a lovely open city centre)
89     Rally Connection in Dungarvan – Great for rally driving and off road karting
90     Ardmore Diving based in the village of Ardmore. The enclosed bay offers ideal conditions for sheltered inshore diving
91     West Waterford Monastic Trail – Ardmore – Clashmore – Molana Abbey – Knockanore – Tallow Glencairn Abbey – Lismore – Mount Melleray – Dungarvan
92     Walking Trails – River Brickey Walk, Colligan Walk, Cruachan Walk, Famine Walk, An Coinigear Walk, Helvick Head Walk, The Ardmore Cliff Walk to name but a few.
93     Dungarvan Museum
94     Mothel Abbey (13th c.) near Rathgormack
95     Hullabaloo International Childrens Festival
96     The Galley cruise on the Suir (wow!)
97     On the Comeragh Mountains & Nire Valley Drive are the standing stones, fulachta fiadh (cooking pits) and cairns around Kilbrien, and Knockboy Ogham Stones near the village.
98     The Harrison Megalithic Tomb is a noted pre-historic monument near Killea on the East Waterford Gaultier Coast Drive
99     Curraghmore Estate, Portlaw. The Home of Lord Waterford
100     Waterford has the best county pride website in the country – www.UpTheDeise.com
101     Dat’s de why!

Waterford City Lanes

Name	Location	In Existence
Alexander Lane	Alexander St	Yes
Annes Lane	site of Elissons yard	No
Artillery Road	Morrissons Road	Yes
Back Lane	Lanes off green St	No
Balbeen Lane	off Philip St	No
Baleys Lane	Off Conduit Lane	No
Barkers Lane	Meeting House Lane	Yes
Barley Fields	Mandeville Lane	Yes
Barrows Lane	Graces Lane	Yes
Beresford St	Parnell St	Yes
Black Arch	Palace Lane / Flaggy Lane	Yes
Blackberry Lane	On site of Friary (Lady Lane)	No
Bowling Green Lane	Manor St	Yes
Brick Lane	Off Greyfriars	No
Bryans Lane	Lanes from Mount Sion to Newgate St	No
Butchers Lane	Lanes from Mount Sion to Newgate St	No
Buttermilk Lane	Lanes off Mayors Walk from Bally Bricken end	Yes
Carigeen Lane	Off Patricks St Garda Side	Yes
Carrion Row	Lanes off Arundle Sq	No
Catherines Court	off Catherine St (Fire Station)	No
Chair Lane	Off Greyfriars	Yes
Charles St	Opposite Fanning house	No
Chicken Lane	From High St to Henrietta St	Yes
Cinder Lane	Off Henry St	No
Clinker Lane	Glasshouse Lane	Yes
Coffin Yard	Off Waterside (Spensers Yard)	No
Common Green	Barrack St / Long Course	Yes
Congreves Lane	Lane Loading from William St to Scotch Quay (coal yard)	Yes
Cook Lane	Off Peter St	No
Costellos Lane	off JohnStown	No
Crows Road	Military rd	Yes
Deaneys Lane	Penrose Lane	Yes
Donovans Lane	BRowans Entry /  Entry to old Dispensary in Peter St	Yes
Dudys Lane	Lanes from Mount Sion to Newgate St	No
Dye House Lane	Summerhill Terrace	Yes
Factory Lane	Baileys New St	Yes
Faha Road	Cannon St	Yes
Fairy Lane	Narrow Lane / Ozanam St	Yes
Fairy Lane	Old Name for Henry St	Yes
Falla Fóidín	Lower Newtown	Yes
Fannings Lane	Off Patricks St Garda Side	No
Fish house Lane	Lanes off BarronStrand St	No
Five Alley Lane	Lanes off Ballybricken Square from Mayors walk	Yes
Flahavans Court	News & Star Office	No
Flurrys Lane	Off Johns Lane	No
Fredericks St	Off Manor St, near Henry St	No
Garden Lane	Lanes off BarronStrand St	No
Garter Lane	Lanes off BarronStrand St	No
Glen Road	from Glen to Bridge St	Yes
Goose Gate Lane	Henrietta St	Yes
Goughs Lane	Lanes off Mayors Walk from Bally Bricken end	No
Gows lane	Lanes off Ballybricken Square from Mayors walk	Yes
Grants Lane	Lanes off Mayors Walk from Bally Bricken end	No
Grants or Murphys Lane	Site of De La Salle School	No
Great green	Bricken Gardens / Ballybricken	Yes
Green Street	Lanes off Ballybricken Square from Mayors walk	Yes
Grubbs Lane	Waterside to Catherine St	Yes
Hanover Square	Rear of Band and Hall Lanes	No
Hardys Road	EaSt End of South Parade	Yes
Harringtons Lane	Lanes from Mount Sion to Newgate St	No
Harterys Lane	Near Johns Bridg  / South Parade	No
Henry St	Thomas hill terrace	Yes
Highly Ups	Passage rd	Yes
Hudson Lane
Hunts Alley or Arch	Site of Burtons	No
Infantry Road	Lower Yellow rd	Yes
Jail Lane	Kings Terrace	Yes
Jenkins Lane	Rear of Patricks Church (Darrers)	No
Johns Lane	Off Mary St near brewery	No
Johns Place	From Newgate St to Manor	No
Johns Place	Waltons Lane	Yes
Johns Sq	Applemarket	Yes
Kizbys Lane	John St end of Spring Garden Alley	No
Kneefes Lane	Lanes from Mount Sion to Newgate St	No
Laffans Lane	Side of Savoy Cinema	Yes
Little Barronstrand St	Lanes off BarronStrand St	No
Little Lady Lane	Bakehouse Lane	Yes
Love Lane	Bridge St	Yes
Malones Lane	Off little Michael St	No
Malones Lane	Linking Grants and Gough Lanes (Mayors Walk)	No
Marble Lane	Rear of Tower hotel	No
May Lane	Lanes off Ballybricken Square from Mayors walk (Off Yellow Road)	No
Model Lane	Cronins Lane (John St)	No
Morrisons Court	Off Patricks St	No
New Road	Thomas St	Yes
Nursery Lane = Convent Hill	Lanes from Mount Sion to Newgate St	Yes
Orphan House Lane	Johns Avenue	Yes
Parliament St	Vulcan St	Yes
Pauls Square	Cathedral Sq	Yes
Peters Lane	Lanes off green St	Yes
Powers Lane	From Newgate St to Manor	No
Pump Lane	Lanes from Mount Sion to Newgate St	No
Quay Lane	Exchange St	Yes
Revels Lane	Present rear entrance to St Johns Church	Yes
Robinsons Lane	Lanes off Mayors Walk from Bally Bricken end	Yes
Rogers Lane	From Georges St to Quay (Shaws)	No
Rose Lane	Rear of Tower hotel	No
Rose Lane Alley	Gallaghers Court	No
Royal Oak Lane	Lanes off BarronStrand St	No
Seargents Court	Teapot Lane off Georges St	No
Sheep’s Lane	Cul-de-sac off Shortcourse	?
Sherlocks Lane	Off William St	No
SparRows Lane	From Anne St to Thomas St	Yes
St Marys Lane	St Francis Place, front of Friary	Yes
Suir Street	Off Mary St near brewery	Yes
The Ramparts	Top of CaStle St	Yes
Thompsons Lane	Margarets avenue	Yes
Tower St	Oppositee Reginalds tower (Tower Hotel)	No
Trinity Lane	Lanes off Arundle Sq	No
Ushers Arch	Site of De La Salle MonaStry	No
vine square	Off Yellow Road	Yes
Wallpole Lane	off coffee house Lane	No
Walshes Lane	Lanes off Ballybricken Square from Mayors walk	Yes
Warehouse Lane	Coffeehouse Lane	Yes
Well Lane	between Newgate St and CaStle St	No
Wheelbarrow Lane	Off Barker St	No
Wier Lane	Lanes off Arundle Sq	No
Willow gardens	on old Tramore Road	Yes
Windmill Hill	Johns Hill	Yes
Wooly Gardens	Ard Bleure	Yes
Gradys Lane	Johnstown

Coumshingaun – Europe’s Finest Glacial Lake

The magical setting at Coumshingaun is full of beautiful surprises. When I visited I was presented with a small pond (see image below) with sheep on a rock and a haunting mist all around.  The pond had flowers growing on it.  Quite beautiful but it didn’t prepare me for the surprise beyond the ridge.

To get to the lake take the main Cork Road from Waterford to Cork and take the right turn for the Mahon Falls about 20 miles from the City.  Keep going on this road until you hit the right hand turn to Carrick on Suir (just beyond the shop).   Drive up this road and park in the car park in Kilclooney wood.  There are information sheets posted here to take you through the various routes to the lake.

Basically you need to head between the two peaks in the mountain toward a ridge.  It is a common walk for local people so it should be reasonably easy to find your way to the lake by following tracks through the wilderness.  It is advisable to bring a compass and a map to help you out and make sure you have the correct footgear and rain clothes.  The walk to the lake takes about 45 minutes at an average pace but it is so worth it once you get there.

Waterford’s Characters

1. 6 Foot 4 Foot.
2. Ankle Socks
3. Bala
4. Bawdie Bess
5. Billy Butts
6. Billy Shit
7. Billy the Bull
8. Billy The Bawler
9. Bollickey’s Field
10. Gubby Coleman
11. Cashin
12. Christy Cooney
13. Cock Up
14. Cuckoo
15. Denny The Hock
16. Eddie Bat (RIP)
17. Father Offender
18. Greasy Ned (Famous Chipper)
19. Hannah Mooney
20. Harry The Horse
21. Head And Shoulders A.K.A Shyte.
22. Holy Hogan
23. Horse’s Head
24. How Do (my favourite)
25. Indian Meal
26. Alley Wally
27. Itchy Walla
28. Ivy Leaf
29. Jaw, de
30. Joey de Blonk
31. Johnny Tierney
32. Johnny Welsh From Mount Sion.
33. Josie Roche
34. Lackendarra
35. Mankie Maggie
36. Martin Hunt (The Legend With The Hurley)
37. Mary The Rake
38. Matty The Jennett
39. Micky The Mauler
40. Mikie Moore
41. Miller (Cashin)
42. Monkey Tricks
43. Monica
44. Mug Power
45. Musty Flap
46. De Mopper
47. Piss Beard
48. Polish ‘Em Off
49. Popeye
50. Pumphry
51. Punjab
52. Quagsie
53. Scaldy Burns
54. Scratchy Wilmot
55. Shammy
56. Slip Me F’ippence
57. Spain
58. Stab The Rasher
59. Stuey Sutton
60. Switchy Dick
61. Tawdy Morrisses.
62. Tea Bags
63. That Fella That Wore The Mad Hat Looking Like Nostradamus
64. That Hunchback Little Fella
65. The Bag
66. The Bird Man
67. The Boer
68. The Dummy Synnott
69. The Stuntman
70. Three Dogs Keatin
71. Tom The Rat
72. Wexford
73. Whack Dunphy
74. Whacker Muldoon
75. Who Ate The Dog’s Dinner
76. Jooky Higgins

Please let us know if we’ve left anyone out.

50 Tings I likes about being a Waterfordian!

1. Aytin’ blaas and drinkin’ large bohhels
2. Firing me gallybander (slingshot) and shellakybookies (snails)
3. Headin’ out for a few large bohhels off de shellef with de lads
4. Aytin’ a few scallops afterwards
5. Headin’ out to de flicks with de lack
6. Reminding Kilkenny they’re not a city
7. The city’s characters such as Martin Hunt and Joey de Blonk over de years (see Appendix wan)
8. Knowin Waterford is de oldest city in Ireland
9. Listenin to d’owl fellas accent and wishing I couldn’t pronounce me rrrs properly too
10. Getting in me car and being at one of 10 beaches near the city within 10 minutes
11. Drivin up d’Ard Ree with de lack lookin at de view of de city
12. Goin off with me lack and stawlin’ de head offa her durin d’Erection section in wan of de nighclubs in the city
13. Wipin wilnots offa de baaieegs of me barse
14. Aytin ghrrribs and hang sangwiches and drinkin’ tay out de boot of me cayer at de matches
15. Being amused by Cork thinking they’re de real capital
16. Getting dilisk in d’Summer
17. Headin’ up tew de magic hill in d’Mountains
18. Not being able to say one, two or three (wan, tew, tree)
19. Saying dat ting over dayer
20. Saying heow neow browen keow
21. Saying well boy and listening to gerhels saying well girl boy!
22. Chanting I, I I-I-I when two lads are fighting
23. Asking people do they want ‘their go’ and when they refuse saying to them ‘smell off yer lack boy’
24. Responding to people who want their go with the phrase ‘ask yer mudder!’
25. Bummin’ de dogs end off a fag
26. Canting the ball over de shed and listening to disappointed younfellas saying ‘das cat boy’
27. When they ask why I did it telling dem ‘das de why’
28. Headin’ down tew de payple’s park at tenna past wan for me red lead blaa
29. Getting de scutters after too many large bottles of clonmel chardonnay and getting an irey hole off it (ok I don’t enjoy dat about Waterford, das actually cat malojan boy!)
30. Calling narky owl wans baaiieeegs and waving me waterford flaaiieeeegs
31. Talkin’ about de blues when they usesta be unbelayvable boy!
32. Talkin about the Waterford hurlin’ curse and using that as a handy excuse for not winning the All Ireland in 50 years (and saying this is our year perpetually)
33. Reminding Cork that we beat them 4 times in 2007
34. Calling all me friends and me father and me children busshie
35. Giving people cheesers and shaymusses in school
36. Drinkin so many cans of Hoppmans dat I ends up in da Horrars boy!
37. Playin knockadolly on de neighbours and doin’ a legger
38. Being laxy daisy (lackadaisical) about tings
39. Puttin de juice from a pissy bed on me warts tinkin it will work miracles
40. Puttin peteral in me cayer
41. Runnin up to the baldy man and being beyond bollixed afterward
42. Pickin belly busters off a country bush and aytin’ em dayer and den
43. Askin for a few flogs in the shop
44. Playin with knucks and me conkers on kaynes road
45. Having a lash down a shore
46. Being as cute as cut-de bags
47. Saying up ya boyo at matches
48. Saying ‘well wear’ to people when they get something new
49. Complaining about Brendan McCan’t for holding up developments in the city and wishing he’d move back to Galway!
50. Usin’ the wooden spoon as a means of scaring young children into being good.

Ardmore

Up Declan and the Déise!

Ardmore is situated West of Dungarvan and is one of Ireland’s most beautiful towns. It has a fabulous series of beaches and amazing cliff walks; a quaint town centre and the most fantastic 12^th century round tower built on the grounds of the Beannachán (St. Declan’s burial place). Ardmore beach was one of the first in Ireland to be awarded the EU Blue Flag award and the village has won the accolade of Ireland’s Tidiest Village.

Ardmore has no less than six sandy beaches in the immediate vicinity with bright sand and is a very safe place to swim.  The coast has some spectacular views along its cliff walks with some beautiful wild flora (over 113 species). There are many beautiful scenic spots to enjoy a picnic and take in the breath taking views. Along the cliffs there are many man made points of interests such as the ‘Samson’ ship wreck, St. Declan’s Well and Church, The Lookout Post, Fr. O’Donnell’s Well, The Castle, St. Declan’s Stone and more. The area also boasts some fantastic sea bass fishing.

History

Saint Declan brought Christianity to the area between 350 and 450 AD and is buried near the Cathedral and Round tower.  On this site you can visit and view the engravings on the façade of the Cathedral and the Ogham stones (stones marked with messages in the language of the ancient Irish).  The 30 metre tall Round Tower, built in the 12^th century is beautifully proportioned and is divided on the outside into four storeys marked off by projecting string courses. The entrance doorway is some 4 metres above ground level. The purpose of The Round Tower was to serve as a belfry and as a place of refuge for the ecclesiastics, and for the safe custody of their books, chalices, shrines and relics.

Ardmore is a fabulous place to visit.  As well as all the attractions, it is a very safe place for kids and has a great selection of restaurants serving up freshly caught sea-food.

How to find it

On the N25 from Waterford to Cork, follow the well marked out signs West of Dungarvan.

Interesting Fact: Old Parish is the oldest Christian parish in Ireland, pre-dating St. Patrick!

Waterfall on the River Araglin, Ballysaggart

A Wonderful Series of Waterfalls in a Secluded Forest

This is one of Waterford’s best kept secrets.  A series of beautiful Waterfalls on the River Araglin hidden in [find woodland name] wood.  The erosion here is something to behold varying from angular cuts to perfectly formed natural slides (bring your swimming togs). With beautiful views down the valley this is an adventure anyone interested in scenic Waterford should take.

The colour of the rocks is a rich brown which make photographs of the main Waterfall look spectacular. The main Waterfall is over 20ft in height and has a strong flow all year round, though after heavy rain it is far more impressive.  There are many other waterfalls and slides dotted around this very unusual valley.

How to find it

The Waterfalls are quite difficult to find and to get down to them requires a bit of manoeuvring.  From Lismore, take the R666 (not the road to hell I can assure you) towards Fermoy. Take the right hand turn where the Lismore golf course crosses the road and head for Ballysaggart.  A few miles up this road at a crossroads you will see a sign post for Araglin, take the right turn here and head for [woodland name].  Once in the woods, the real journey begins.  Drive through the wood veering left at fork junctions, the road will get progressively worse and is more suitable for SUV type vehicles.  A mile or two in there is a fork in the road backwards leading up hill. The rest of the journey is on foot.  Walk up the hill and continue along the walkway.  When you get to the stream continue through (make sure you bring suitable foot gear).  Keep walking along the path and when you eventually reach what look like Christmas trees on your left hand side you are almost there.  Head left when you can hear the Waterfall and the valley will present itself.  There are lovely birds eye views of the Waterfall at this point.  To get down to the Waterfall, stay left and walk down using the railing as a guide, then find the best route down (probably marked out for you by the ovine inhabitants). Enjoy.

The Towers of Ballysaggartmore

A Magical Experience in a Fairy Tale Setting

The Towers of Ballysaggartmore are concealed in a wonderful woodland setting a few kilometres West of Lismore Town.  What awaits the visitor is, in this author’s opinion, one of the most magical experiences they are ever likely to have.  The Towers are found along a charming loop walk through an enchanting wood.  Visitors should take the path to the left which takes them across a couple of small bridges and then upwards towards the Towers themselves.  A very accessible and short ten minute walk up a mild incline, through a canopy of trees, passing many wild flowers and rhododendron, eventually leads the visitor to a tunnel. Once through this tunnel a marvellous spectacle awaits the visitor: ‘The Gates of Grandeur’ (see picture below).

Once at ‘The Gates of Grandeur’ the visitor should explore behind the picnic area as a beautiful secret waterfall awaits them.  After the visitor has their fill they should follow the loop walk around to the right where they will be met with another spectacle: ‘The Entrance Gate.’ Attention should be given to the wonderful stonework and architecture of this gate.  A short walk down a very steep hill will bring the fulfilled visitor back to the car park.

The Story of the Towers

The towers were built circa. 1850 by a notorious Landlord, Arthur Kiely-Ussher. His wife, Elizabeth, was jealous of Strancally Castle built by his brother John. Elizabeth urged Arthur to build a castle in Ballysaggartmore that would out shine his brother’s. After ‘The Entrance Gate’ and ‘The Gates of Grandeur’ were built they ran out of money.

Arthur Kiely-Usher treated the tenants of his land with unprecedented cruelty. During the height of the potato famine in Ireland, rather than helping the tenants that made him wealthy, he evicted them and knocked their dwellings. He put livestock on the lands in their stead, in the hope that he would raise the money to finish his wife’s mansion. They lived out the rest of their days on their half finished site. A clear case of what goes around comes back around.

Interesting Fact: The famine was first reported on the 6^th of September 1845 in the Waterford Freeman Newspaper.

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• Recent Posts

  • Deise Boys – Up in the Ard Ri
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• Pere Charles CD

  The Pere Charles CD in aid of the Lifeboat Association in Dunmore is now available to purchase in the shop.