One of Irelands best kept secrets. Clogheen is uniquely situated in the most central position imaginable in the South of Ireland.
Here is the ideal centre for your golfing, fishing, walking, touring holiday in Ireland. But, if an action packed holiday is not what you are looking for, you will find that Clogheen is the ideal place to chill out and relax. The listing below is not meant to be exhaustive, it is merely to give you an idea of the wealth of activities available in the immediate environs. If you know of any other items which should be included please do not hesitate to email. All links are free and our aim is to provide as comprehensive and relevant a listing as possible.
Sporting activities in Clogheen - Sport is part of the culture of rural Ireland and a reason why many love the country so much. This link guides you through just a few of the sporting activities in the town.
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Parsons Green is set in the beautiful valley between the Knockmealdown and the Galtee mountains,and is within walking distance of lush pine forests teeming with wildlife. Safe forest walking trails,Sparkling clear mountain streams,Bay loch with it's legends. Parsons Green caters for caravanners campers, campervans backpackers school tours scout or guide jamborees. The park also has self catering apartments and mobile homes available all year round.Use the links above to visit the Parson's Green webpage. |
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Fishing & Swimming | |
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The local Tar and Duag rivers are both clean crystal clear and are both excellent for either swimming or fishing activities. Locals will be more than happy to inform you of the best areas for each activity. |
Within 90 minutes of the Atlantic Ocean and just 45 minutes from the Irish Sea, some of Irelands best sea angling is readily accessible. Countless miles of sandy beaches in the sunny South East are accessed by driving through what is perhaps the most beautiful mountain Pass in Ireland - theVee. Beaches worth visiting include Clonea, Ardmore and Tramore in Waterford, Whiting Bay (between Ardmore and Youghal) and Youghal in Cork and Courtown in Co. Wexford traveling via Avoca. On the more robust Atlantic side it is worth considering Kilkee and Kilrush in Co. Clare, just beyond Shannon. Clogheen also has some of the best Brown Trout and Salmon angling in Europe within a twenty minute drive. There is excellent Wild Brown Trout fishing on the famous river Suir. The world renowned Munster Blackwater salmon fisheries are just over the Vee. For Sea Angling Ardmore / Youghal is certainly worth considering as is Dungarvan. This link brings you to a detailed links page on Irish fishing. |
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If you are visiting out of season or the weather is inclement there are a wide variety of indoor swimming and excercise facilities available. There are excellent 25 metre pools in Clonmel (052 21972), Tipperary (062 51806) and Fermoy (which includes a kiddies pool, 025 33272). Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Knocklofty House Hotel, Hotel Minella and Ferryhouse (052 21972), just outside Clonmel, provide 12.5 metre pools. All of the above also have full Gym and workout facilities so you are covered whatever the weather. |
If you do happen to visit Kerry, the Aquadome in Tralee is well worth a visit. It is a unique indoor swimming area with large slides, kiddies swimming areas, coffee dock overlooking the pools and much more. Kids and adults alike will get hours of enjoyment here and with just one payment you can stay as long as you like. This is not realistically a day trip from Clogheen but if you are visiting the Ring of Kerry, Killarney or Tralee areas it is certainly worth a visit. |
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Golf |
Within a 20 minute drive of Clogheen there are 3 18 hole courses and one 9 hole course. | |
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The closest is the 18 hole Cahir Park Golf Course lest than 15 minutes drive. It is located on the Clogheen road from Cahir and is easy to spot when travelling to Cahir. You may also choose from Michelstown Golf Course (18), Lismore Golf Course (9) and Clonmel Golf Course (18) all within 30 minutes drive. If you fancy travelling further afield Clonea Strand & Gold Coast Golf Resort near Dungarvan is 45 minutes away and well worth a visit as is Ballykisteen course just beyond Tipperary town (at Limerick Junction) and Dundrum course. For a more in depth listing of golf courses in Ireland the Golfers Union of Ireland site is well worth a visit. | |
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Equestrian Activities | ||||||||||
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Racetracks: Tipperary is one of the great horse centres of Europe. There are racetracks in nearby Clonmel (behind the town on the Cahir to Waterford road) and Tipperary (at Limerick Junction just past Tipperary town). Pony Trekking: Melody's Trail Riding Centre, Nire Valley, Ballymacarbry. Trail riding and pony trekking. Great country hacks/treks over beautiful well chosen trails in the scenic Nire Valley. Treks from full day to 1.5 hrs. Located on main Clonmel/Dungarvan road (R671-R672) Tel.: 052-36147 | |||||||||
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Hillwalking, click on the link for some local walks. | |
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There are many things to do while in Clogheen but the one where the visitor is most spoiled for choice is beautiful walks. The Knockmealdown, Comeragh and Galtee mountains provide tranquil unspoilt surroundings for both the serious hillclimber or a family afternoon stroll. Perhaps at their most spectacular during the Rhododendron season, the mountains are no less beautiful at other times of the year. Click here for the ultimate links page for Hillwalking and Climbing in Ireland. |
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The Comeragh Mountains are a huge favourite for walkers the world over. Check out this excellent site by the De La Salle Boyscouts on the mountain range, walks, etc. |
This link will take you to a local walkers guide to some beautiful walks in Waterford. You may also want to take a look at the exceptional Comeragh Mountaineering Club site. |
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Baylough Cheese |
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A visit to Clogheen is simply not complete without a visit to the home of the very famous Baylough Cheese. A super hand made unpasteurised cows milk cheese, reduced fat, low salt, good plain or with pizza. "One of those cheeses that people can't leave alone until it is all eaten." (The Irish Food Guide) This superb line of high quality cheeses is sold in all Aer Rianta airport shops and is included in many hampers such as those of Bewley's, Paul & Jean Rankin and Darina Allen's famous Ballymaloe Restaurant. A visit to Keating's premises to see the cheese in the making and sample some of the luxurious cuisine is highly recommended. |
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The Castle Limousin Herd |
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The Limousin Society of Ireland has its national office at Castlegrace, just two hundred yards from Castlegrace cross roads travelling toward the Vee. The office is run by Nicholas and Barbara Grubb who have an excellent herd of these sought after beef animals on their premises. There are two separate pages here, the first is the Limousin Society homepage and the second is Nicholas and Barbara's own homepage for the Castle Herd. If you have an interest in livestock, genetics or Limousin cattle in particular then a visit to these web pages is a must. Should you wish to make contact the details are: phone +353 (0)52-65505 and email barbaragrubb@eircom.net |
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Relaxation and Alternative Healing |
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As Solas, is an institution of healing situated on five acres in the scenic Vee Valley Gap, the house is positioned on the Pilgrim route from Holy Cross to Mount Melleray, further emphasising its sacred location. It is just a half mile from Clogheen on the Cappoquin/Lismore road just past the hospital. As Solas Healing Centre |
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At
As Solas, it is believed that the most
fundamental relationship is the one that exists between our body, mind,
emotion and spirit. This relationship is the very foundation or essence of
our wellbeing. The approach to healing here is a truly holistic one.
Tel: +353 (0)52 65566 Email: info@as-solas.com |
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The impressive Mitchelstown Caves, one of the most treasured cave complexes in western Europe, which were discovered during the last century by a local labourer. They are open to the public all year and are a must see when you visit Clogheen. The link above will give you a taste of what to expect plus directions to the caves and some beautiful shots from the interior. |
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Gardens and Castles | |
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If visiting Historic Castles and the great gardens of Ireland is how you like to spend your holiday, then Clogheen is again the ideal location. The Rock of Cashel, Lismore Castle, Kilkenny Castle, Cahir Castle and the famous Ormond Castle in Carrick on Suir are all nearby (see links below). Glenleigh Gardens, just over the bridge on the Vee road on the right hand side, have become a mecca for all garden lovers. Slightly further afield are Mount Congreve in Waterford, Lismore Castle Gardens just over the Knockmealdown's and Fota House Gardens in Cobh, Co. Cork which also contains a wildlife preserve and golf course. |
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Just down the road is Duhill Church, which features excellent examples of Harry Clark's artistic achievements with stained glass. Take the Clonmel road as far as Castlegrace cross. Turn left and you will meet the church on your left less than a mile down the road. Click on the link above for a brief overview of Harry Clark's work. |
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Ballyporeen - Ronald Reagan's Village | |
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The nearby village of Ballyporeen is the ancestral home of Ronald Reagan, former President of the U.S. President Reagan visited Ballyporeen during his years in office, and numerous plaques and memorabilia attest to this notable return of Ballyporeen's most famous son.
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One of the enduring attractions of the region is the very famous Mount Mellarey Abbey and its Cistercian inhabitants. Just a 20 minute drive over the Vee, on the Cappoquin road, this exceptional abbey is very well worth a visit.
Located about 5
miles north of Cappoquin on the road to Clogheen, Mount Melleray is a
Cistercian Abbey which was founded in 1832 after Catholic Emancipation
was won. The complex includes the abbey itself, a library, a small
church and a scout centre, which in turn includes the museum and
archives of the Irish Scout Association. The abbey's library has a
collection of old Irish and medieval manuscripts, mostly relating to
religious and theological matters; the scouting museum and archives are
available to view, though by appointment only. |
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Cahir Castle - Towers and dungeons and even cannonballs still embedded in the walls. Cahir is very convenient to Clogheen just 15 minutes away and the castle lies in its midst. There is much more to see in Cahir than just the castle, click here to see what other attractions are in the town. While in the area a visit to Knockgraffon Motte, Church & town house is certainly worth considering. |
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Burncourt - Clogheen is joined in Shanrahan parish by Burncourt. Click on this link for a brief description of Burncourt castle just a few miles from Clogheen village, first right on the Ballyporeen road and follow the signposts. While there a trip to the Mitchelstown caves is imperative, being just 2 miles down the road. |
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Waterford city - Waterford is a wonderful city, just an hour away and well worth a visit. Returning via Dungarvan is an interesting option. Here is a brief listing of things to do and places to see in county Waterford. Just a quick drive over the Vee and you are there. Waterford county starts at the Bothán, just beside the entrance to Bealough. |
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Lismore & Cappoquin - Our nearest neighbours over the Knockmealdown mountains, a beautiful scenic drive and both just 20 minutes away. The wonderful Lismore Castle and Gardens are well worth a visit and travelling onwards through Tallow the town of Youghal, Co. Cork is also worth setting aside some time to explore. The drive from Lismore to Cappoquin along the Blackwater river is also well worth consideration. On reaching the T junction before Lismore traveling from Clogheen simply turn left. |
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Kilkenny City - Ireland's medieval capital and just an hour's drive through Clonmel and taking a left turn on the Waterford road. Kilkenny castle is open to the public and well worth a visit as is St. Canice's Cathederal. Kilkenny is a vibrant city and thrives on a bustling nightlife and shopping centre. |
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Cork City - Everyone's favorite Irish city and excellent for shopping, touring, etc. Take the link to see all this wonderful city has to offer. Cork is extremely easy to reach by travelling to Cahir or Mitchelstown and taking the main Dublin - Cork road. |
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Tipperary County - Just in case you can't find anything you would like to do in the above list, check out this site which gives listings of local news, activities, entertainment, etc. |
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Use this link for a map of the immediate environs of Clogheen including Ardfinnan and Ballyporeen. Click here for a map of the area including Mitchelstown, Clonmel and Cappoquin. |
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Click here for an enlarged map covering the area from Limerick to Waterford and Cork to Kilkenny. This is a large graphic so it will take a while to download. |
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