Blackwater Valley Heritage Drive

The base for our drive is the Glenribbeen eco lodge, an award-winning B&B and self catering accommodation. Peter and Els are your hosts and their home is set in beautiful mature gardens with running stream and thatched stone meditation hut. Their 'Glenribbeen Special' for breakfast (pictured below) is worth the trip alone - very tasty, very healthy and veggie friendly.

Besides that 'Special', it boasts a music school, archery school as well as garden games, bicycles, canoe, kites and more. Fishing tackle is available as it's 300m from The Blackwater one of Europe's top salmon rivers. Glenribbeen is just off the N72 between the village of Cappoquin (2kms) and the Heritage town of Lismore (3kms). 20kms East is Dungarvan, beaches, Atlantic cliff walks, sea-fishing and many fine restaurants.

058 54499 http://www.glenribbeen.com/

See the 'Henley of Ireland' and the site of where the Lismore to London train used to cross the Blackwater - soon to be a walking trail.

http://www.blackwaterboating.ie/club.html

Site of that most famous dogleg where the river suddenly decides to head a sharp south after going 90 miles east.

Cappoquin nestles at the foot of the Knockmealdown mountains in the Blackwater valley. West Waterford is one of the unspoilt areas of Ireland, with beautiful scenery, a variety of amenities and a range of activities for visitors and locals alike. The town itself is full of characters and character. Ensure you try the fresh bread in Barron's bakery.

http://www.cappoquin.org/

Valentine Greatrakes (14 February 1628 - 28 November 1683), also known as 'Greatorex' or 'The Stroker', was an Irish faith healer who toured England in 1666, claiming to cure people by the laying on of hands. He hailed from this part of Waterford.

Possibly the most extraordinary site on the drive. Home to Ireland's only Hindu Gothic gate lodge from circa 1830 and also of the Battle of Affane in 1565, where the last private battle in Ireland took place between the Earls of Desmond and Ormond.

With a fine view of Strancally castle across the way, Peter tells us about how the locals thought the pike was the king of the fish.

Strancally Castle was designed by James and George Richard Pain and built for John Kelly around 1830 and is now in private hands. It stands in front of the original ruin of a Desmond castle, which contained an infamous murdering hole, which dispatched those who incurred the wrath of a Desmond to the river below. The Earl of Desmond being one part of that nearby battle of Affane we just heard about.

Villierstown was founded by the Villiers-Stuart family, from where the name is derived. The original village consisted of a church, a rectory, a school, 24 dwelling houses, a court, a police barracks and a quay on the river. Daniel O'Connell famously had a 'monster meeting' here in the 1830s with over 40,000 people attending.

On your left, you'll notice a number of standing stones. Peter tells us about the Kiltera standing stones in the audio piece.

http://www.prehistoricwaterford.com/products/kiltrea-ogham-stones/

A chance to get the full panorama of the valley and its surrounding countryside with the Knockmealdown mountains in the background from this viewing area. Be transported back in time to 1842 when Thackeray marveled at such unspoiled greenery.

With a view of Heffernan's castle across the water, Peter tells us more about the Blackwater as it makes its way to Youghal after rising 104 miles earlier in Kerry.

This is the last stop on the drive. Had there been another bridge, we'd have continued on the other side of the valley up towards Lismore, but as there is not, we'd suggest you follow the same route back, stopping off at maybe the Cruscin Laun or Faulty's pub. We hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in the area.