Cappoquin, County Waterford.

Cappoquin

Cappoquin is at the top of the tidal waters of the Blackwater and is a renowned angling centre for both the fame and coarse angler. Sea trout, brown trout, salmon, roach, dace, rudd and tench are all species pursued in the very prolific angling waters. Game and coarse anglers can contact John or Kay Murphy at Tight Lines Tackle Shop, Main Street. Tel : 058-54152

Cappoquin House

Cappoquin House, in the centre of the town, is an 18th century Georgian mansion built on the site of an old Fitzgerald castle. The house and gardens enjoy magnificent views over the Blackwater, just where this great river bends at an angle of 90 degrees towards Youghal Bay. It was built as one of a series of castles, which commanded the tidal waters of the river, a main artery of trade with England. Upstream, Lismore Castle can be seen, while downstream is Dromana, site of the great castle of the Earl of Desmond.

The Keane family has lived at Cappoquin House for 200 years and descends from George Keane (O Cathain, agliciized to O'Cahan) who came from Co. Derry. The O'Cahans fought for James II at the battle of the Boyne and after the final defeat of James' forces at Aughrim in Co. Galway, the O'Cahan lands were confiscated by William III. The family was banned from government service, until, that is, George O'Cahan changed his name to Keane, turned Protestant and became a lawyer in the service of the government.

The house was built in 1779, at which time the ashlar front faced out over the town of Cappoquin. Later rebuilding work changed the focus, when the original entrance became the garden front and the main entrance was established through the courtyard at the back of the house. The fine 18th century interiors were painstakingly reproduced after the house was burnt in1923. Facing the visitor to the west of the courtyard is a fragment of the old wall of the Fitzgerald castle.

Largely informal, the gardens present, at varying levels, a series of beautiful trees and shrubs. Included in the display is a Chilean embothrium, a purple hazel, drimys winteri and elegantly trained espaliered pears which adorn the natural texture of a stone wall. Pride of place goes to a rhododendron arboreum, which displays a riot of glorious colour when in flower. There is great use of architectural plants, spectacular camellias, a double herbaceous border and the orange show of the kniphophia caulesceus. There is also the lovely contrast of a wild garden and a formal terrace garden with roses and herbaceous perennials. The house and garden can be viewed every day (except Sunday) from April to the end of July. Admission charge. Tel : 058-54004. Fax : 058-54698