Around Lismore , County Waterford.

The Vee.

If this glorious panorama was presented in a 19th century painting, it would be considered highly romantic and even overstated. But these wonderful Knockmealdown mountains are the stuff of romance and all the visitor can do is stop, stare and enjoy. After the exhilarating wilderness left behind, the hills fall away in great fold to reveal the Golden Vale below. The Tipperary Plains are so called because of the rich grazing land, which produces fine milk cows for Ireland's dairy industry. The cyclopean tomb just above the viewpoint marks the grave of Samuel Richard Grubb, High Sheriff of Country Tipperary, who, it is said, wished to be buried in a standing position, so that his sightless eyes could be directed over his beloved Vee.

Glenleigh Garden.

Adorned with exotic plants, fine stands of mature pine and oak, sweeping lawns, screened by the Knockmealdowns and serenaded by two mountain streams, this is a beautiful natural garden, covering some 5ha. Open to visitors from 10.00 - 21.00 each day, April 1 to the end of October. Admission charge. Tel @ 052-65251

Clogheen.

Clogheen is a pleasant village in beautiful surroundings with attractive sandstone buildings. The Blackwater Way Walking Trail starts in the village and runs for 188km to Killarney, Co. Kerry.

The Glenshelane River Walk.

This river rises south of Newcastle. Having being boosted from the waters of the Moavugga and Glenafallia rivers, it joins its bigger sister, the Blackwater, just below Cappoquin. The 10km walk starts just outside Cappoquin and can be accessed here and at other points along its route. A feature of the walk is the small pockets of the original oak, which was a dominant species in the valley, and later stands of Norway spruce, together with familiar holly, hazel and rowan. The forest floor is carpeted with bluebells in season. About 1km upstream from the picnic site is a salmon spawning area. The wood and land around it were owned by the Keane family. The Battle of Affane was fought in this valley.

Around Lismore

Lismore golf club, is a very scenic 9-hole parkland course where visitors are made very welcome.  Tel : 058-53144

Corina Duyn, Monatarrive, Lismore, produces hand-crafted wooden figures based on Irish mythology.  These include ceramic dolls, puppets and marionettes.  Her restored cottage studio is situated off the Ballyduff Road.  Visitors by appointment only. Tel : 058-53144

Off the Lismore-Tallow road is Glencairn Pottery, where there is a fully equipped pottery school in a restored stone barn.  Marcus O'Mahony, an experienced teacher, offers residential and non-residential courses in all pottery techniques.  Enquiries to Marcus O'Mahony.  Tel : 058-56694

On the Lismore-Tallow road, is Tourtane House, left a restored 18^th century house on the banks of the Owbeg River.  Hand-painted plasterwork ornaments are produced here by Alison Trigg.  Open year round Monday to Saturday 10.00 - 18.00;  Sunday 15.00 -18.00. Tel : 058-54110

The library on West Street was designed by George P. Sheridan in 1909 in the Hiberno-Romanesque style.  A bust of the scientist Robert Boyle may be seen here.

Opened in 1794, the canal, which runs parallel to the Cappoquin road, carried goods  to Ballyrafter, then the port and industrial area of Lismore.  It measures 1 mile and 29 chains (22 yards to a chain) and has one lock.  The canal ceased to be used commercially in 1925.

Lady Louisa's Walk is a beautifully wooded walk along the banks of the Blackwater.

Eleanor Howard Pottery produces decorative earthenware tableware in her Main Street Studio shop.  Open 9.00 - 17.00 Monday to Saturday.  Tel : 058-53033