Choose Ireland » Fishing

Portlaoise

Brian — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 09:48:07 +0000

The largest town and county seat of County Laois, Portlaoise was formerly called Fort of Maryborough, and founded in 1556 by Queen Mary. The town’s name was officially changed to Portlaoise, which in Gaelic means “Fort of Laois,” in 1922.
The name is derived from the town’s historical reputation as the fortress or protector of the surrounding area. Portlaoise is widely known as home to a huge maximum-security prison that housed several very high profile members of the IRA in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
The Laois Heritage Trail begins here, featuring 13 popular heritage sites that can be visited by driving the scenic rural roads that crisscross the county.
Portlaoise often serves as a centre for vacationers who have come to enjoy the peace and quiet of the Irish Midlands. The area offers much in the way of outdoor activity, including spectacular fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails and golf venues.
The main street is under extensive development, and has become a gathering place filled with pubs and restaurants. The Dunamaise Arts Centre is housed within an old jail, and features ongoing exhibits of the visual arts, as well as theatrical productions and concerts.
The defensive nature of historic Portlaoise can still be seen in the remains of old walls scattered around the area, as well as a surviving round tower.

The Shannon River

Brian — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 11:51:42 +0000

The Shannon is the longest river in all of the British Isles, and runs from County Cavan to Limerick, where it merges with the sea. As it crosses Ireland, the Shannon travels along the western border of County Longford. Its name is derived from the mythical character Sionan, who is said to have drowned in it after committing the travesty of eating the Salmon of Knowledge, a privilege reserved only for males.
The River Shannon played an integral part in Irish history, from the first Neolithic settlements along its banks, through the Celtic period, when it separated and protected warring tribes from each other, through the Viking era, when it provided access to the inner parts of the country for their invasions. The Normans built countless fortifications along its banks. Cromwell’s forces drove the defeated Irish across the river to the province of Connaught in the west.
More recently, the Shannon River has been used for the transportation of goods and power generation. Several plants have been erected, including the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric plant, built in 1929 and a station at Shannonbridge that generates electricity using local peat.
The system of waterways connected to the Shannon serves as the recreational heart of Ireland. It links to a variety of lakes and streams, as well as the Grand Canal, providing endless opportunities for excellent boating, fishing and outdoor recreation.

Kinsale

lisa — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 13:48:30 +0000

Situated on the South West Coast of Cork, is the picturesque Harbour town of Kinsale. It is commonly known as the gourmet capital of Ireland, famous for it’s fresh fish and seafood. It has a wide variety of Restaurants to suit all taste buds, at least 30 pubs and an excellent selection of accommodation to suit all budgets.
Kinsale is also a popular place for activities such as golf, sea angling, yachting and Dolphin and Whale Watching trips. There are also a number of art galleries and craft shops scattered around the town. During the summer months Kinsale is host to a number of Regattas and Festivals. The town lies between the hills and the seafront, and is a maze of colourful buildings and narrow winding streets. The perfect place for exploring, it has barely changed in a 100 years.
A garrison town for over 300 years, the Battle of Kinsale was fought in 1601 and was a turning point in Irish History. The harbour is guarded by two fortresses built in the 17th century. A guided tour of Charles Fort is a must see, as are trips to Desmond Castle (now a wine Museum), the museum at the old Courthouse, St Multoise Church (which is still in use) and The Almshouses. The Lusitania was sunk off the Head of Kinsale in 1915, and a visit here is recommended for the outsanding cliff top views.

Lower Lough Erne

Brian — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 14:03:30 +0000

The Lough Erne vicinity is filled with panoramic views, surrounded by wooded hillsides. The entire waterway is nearly 50 miles long, and its still, clear waters make it a paradise for boaters and fishermen. The area is steeped in history, as early settlers came here to enjoy the safety and tranquility of Lough Erne’s many inlets and the thick forests of its shores. Island castles dot the landscape, evidence of a strong population during the plantation period of Irish history.
Today, Lough Erne is widely recognized across Europe as a peaceful, clean and uncrowded waterway. Boaters and anglers as well as those who just enjoy observing the beauty of nature frequently visit it.
Swans are common residents of the waterway, along with terns, scoters, and golden warblers, nightjars and sandpipers. They nest and breed on the shorelines and islands. Also common on sections of the lough are herons and great crested grebes.
Species of fish include roach, bream, perch, eels, pike, trout and salmon. Wildflowers grow abundantly along the shorelines, interspersed with rocky areas, and woodlands. The inlets are surrounded with hills and caves enjoyed by hikers and nature explorers alike.

Castlewellan Forest Park

Brian — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 09:17:25 +0000

The manor house at Castlewellan is a granite structure built by the Annesley family in 1856. Its style is Scottish Baronial and its appearance castle like. The house currently serves as a conference centre for private groups. The nearby village of Castlewellan sits near the Mourne Mountains, and is the birthplace of writer Seamus O’Neill and actress Greer Garson.
The rest of the estate was designated as Castlewellan Forest Park in 1969. It contains a one-mile long lake, the beautiful, walled Annesley Garden, ponds, fountains, and ornamental greenhouses. The park also features an arboretum and peace maze.
The Lake at Castlewellan Forest Park is fed by surrounding streams, and is popular for fishing and as a scene for conservation learning and projects. It began as a much smaller body of water, and was enlarged when a dam was added.
Annesley Garden was created in the 1850’s, and attractive stone works and fountains accent the natural beauty of its plants.
The arboretum at Castlewellan was added later, starting with Japanese maples and coniferous trees. Other rare species followed, such as Australian Athrotaxis, Chinese Rhododendrons, and Chilean euchryphias. Some of the trees in this arboretum hold records for their height across the British Isles.
The Peace Maze at Castlewellan Forest Park is the largest and longest hedge maze in the entire world. It was designed by Beverly Lear, planted in 2000, and opened to the public in September of 2001. It was created as a symbol of the hope that exists for enduring peace in Northern Ireland. The Peace Bell sits at its center.

Killaloe

Brian — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 09:13:04 +0000

Located on Lough Derg, near the point where the River Shannon emerges, this small town is historic and quaint in nature. Killaloe was the place where Brian Boru (940-1014), the beloved last High King of Ireland, was born and raised. His palace was located nearby at Kincora. The local people celebrate the life of Brian Boru every year at Killaloe with a weekend festival of music and dance.
Also of historical importance, Killaloe was the scene of a heroic raid led by Patrick Sarsfield in 1690. Accompanied by 800 men, they foiled an attack on Limerick planned by William of Orange. The locals infiltrated the ranks of William’s army and destroyed the artillery.
Other Killaloe attractions include:
•The Killaloe Music Festival, held yearly in July, featuring Irish classical music. The festival takes place at St. Flannan’s Cathedral, which was built in 1225 and features a unique Romanesque entranceway and an Ogham stone with ancient Nordic inscriptions. The music festival features The Irish Chamber Orchestra along with international guest conductors and musicians.
•The stone bridge from the 17th century that leads across the river to Killaloe’s sister city, Ballina.
•The Brian Boru Heritage Centre, located in a former boathouse near the bridge. It provides information on the life and accomplishments of the last High King, along with details on a walking tour along Old Killaoe Canal.
•Killaoe is also a prime spot for fishing and boating.

Lahinch

Brian — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 09:09:04 +0000

The name of this pristine beach and resort town translates as Leath Inis or half island. The area is known for its abundant seaside leisure activities and exceptional golf course.
Lahinch features a mile long stretch of golden, sandy beach, located at the mouth of a bay with an expansive dune system behind it. It is well suited for fishing and surfing, and is sheltered by the massive Cliffs of Moher. There is a beach side promenade, and local institutions include Lahinch Seaworld, a sea-life and leisure center, and Lahinch Surfing School, which provides a variety of lessons for surfers at all skill levels. In 1972, the European Surfing Finals were held here.
Perhaps the most famous institution in town is the Lahinch Golf Club. Its unique course that was first set up in 1892 by the Limerick Golf Club with help from members of the Black Water regiment of Scotland stationed nearby. The 18-hole course is situated on the dune wilderness near the Cliffs of Moher. Its scenic beauty includes the remains of a round tower, and the course is often referred to as the St. Andrew’s of Ireland. In 1928, Dr. Alexander MacKenzie of Scotland redesigned the course.

Eyre Square, Galway City

Brian — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 13:21:54 +0000

Eyre Square is the site of the crossroads of the Galway area and Galway city. It contains a number of attractions on the east shore of the River Corrib.
Kennedy Park is located on the green lawn portion of the square, named after the late American president, who visited here in June of 1963. At the entrance to the park sits the Browne Doorway, taken from Browne family townhouse in 1905. This ornate structure is capped with a “Marriage Stone”, a plaque symbolizing the union of the families Browne and Lynch in marriage in the 17th century by displaying the coats of arms of both families. These stones were historically common in Galway city, and reproductions can be seen at various locations around town.
Eyre Square also features a few examples of noteworthy sculpture, such as the copper replicas of the sails of a Galway Hooker, a fishing boat once responsible for much of the area’s livelihood. Next to the sculpture stands the figure of Padraic O’Conaire, born nearby in 1882 and instrumental in the Irish language revival at the turn of the past century.
Also in Eyre Square sit the bronze cannons awarded to the Connaught Rangers, a local regiment that served in the British army in the Crimean War of 1853-56.

Galway City

Brian — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 13:14:07 +0000

In the thirteenth century, Anglo Norman settlers arrived at the mouth of the River Corrib and set up a merchant and shipping economy on the site of Galway City. The city became known as the “City of Tribes” because of 14 native families who inhabited the surrounding area. The family names included in this designation were Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, D’Arcy, Dean, Font, French, Kinwan, Joyce, Lynch, Morris, Martin, and Skerret. Barred from participation in the prospering Galway business world, their chieftains staged regular raids on the town.
The Anglo Norman settlers, mainly wealthy merchants, built Town Castles, or fortified houses capable of withstanding these repeated attacks. Over the following centuries, Gaelic and Norman influences combined to produce a style of medieval architecture still visible today in the narrow lanes and winding staircases of the old town. The prosperity of the merchant economy of medieval times ended with the invasions of Cromwell in 1652 and King William in 1691.
The Galway city of today is one that never sleeps, alive with cultural heritage and celebration. With a population of about 65,000, it is considered one of the fastest growing cities in Europe. It is also the ancient capital of Connaught province, and the current capital of what is known as the Hidden Ireland. Galway stands in contrast to some of Ireland’s eastern cities, which many say have been “Europeanized” by recent development efforts.
Galway City has earned the distinction as the keeper of the traditional customs and culture of Ireland. Here Gaelic football and hurling far surpass soccer in popularity, and traditional music thrives. Folklore, music, and dance are kept alive in the many festivals held here, and at University College Galway, many students complete their studies entirely in the Irish language.
The city maintains a perfect balance between modern progress and the traditions of the past. It is a favorite residence and gathering spot for artists, writers and musicians, and citizens enjoy the performances of several internationally recognized theatre companies.
The center of the city lies at Eyre Square, where four roads meet. The road leading north goes to Lake Corrib and then turns west to the ancient village of Claddagh. The peaceful lakes and blue skies of the region around Oughterard are a paradise for trout fishermen in May.
The road west leads to the wild beauty of Connemara, where fishing was and to some extent remains the prevailing lifestyle. The Oyster Festival in Galway city is held each autumn to celebrate the world famous oysters from Galway Bay. Life here is a law unto itself. Poitin- a variety of moonshine with a taste echoing essences of heather and the bog – is still made, even though it is illegal.
The road south heads toward Clare and Limerick, and passes through verdant fields and wooded hunting country.
The road to the east heads to the River Shannon through the villages of Tuam and Loughrea, centres for Gaelic football and hurling. Along the way is Ballinasloe, where the annual horse fair remains among the largest in Europe. Thousands of horses are bought and sold, and travellers gather for boxing bouts to crown the annual “King of the Tinkers”.
The Horse Fair is historically popular across Europe, and the Czar of Russia sent emissaries to buy horses for the army 200 years ago.
The road east from Galway city also goes to Ballybrit, home of the Galway Races, held each year at the end of July. This week long festival of racing draws tens of thousands of visitors. It is filled with merry making, street fun, wagering and high stakes card games, all to celebrate the culmination of the summer tourist season in the area.
The harbour area of Galway city dates back to the 1200′s. The Spanish Arch and surrounding buildings still display the vestiges of the Spanish influence established through bonds formed by a flourishing wine trade.
Other small architectural oddities visible around the city include:
•Footscrapers – small protrusions seen outside hotels and city homes designed to scrape the muck of the city streets, common before pavement existed, from boots before entering.
•Jostle stones – positioned at corners to keep carriages from taking the turn too closely and destroying their wheels, only a few remain in Galway city.
•Mermaids – many carvings of this mythical creature appear around the city, considered symbolic of a variety of things, including bad luck.

Waterford City

Brian — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 13:41:48 +0000

This busy commercial port city along the River Suir is the fifth largest city in Ireland, and bears the distinction of being the oldest. It is also the largest town in the southeastern part of the country.
The area now called Waterford City was established by the Vikings and named Vadra Fjordr after raids in 795, but evidence of human occupation goes back to 7000BC. The first Stone Age hunters and gatherers were replaced by copper miners in 2000BC, followed by the first commercial fishermen. Waterford City even predates most of the other large Nordic cities – such as Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm. Evidence of parts of the ancient Viking City has been uncovered by recent excavation projects.
In the 12th century, the Normans took control of Waterford City. Although it was invaded by Cromwell’s Army in the 17th century, the city weathered the battles well, and a large portion of its beautiful medieval structures remains intact. Waterford’s city walls are second in the quality of their preservation only to those in Derry. Cromwell coined the phrase “by hook or by Crooke” here – in reference to his preferred seizure routes via Hook Head or Crooke Village.
The 18th and 19th centuries were perhaps the city’s most prosperous times, when the glass and crystal production first begun by George and William Penrose flourished and became the city’s most prevalent industry. Quite a few buildings from that period survive and are in excellent condition.
Waterford City is located only seven miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and is beset by strong winds most days of the year. Merchant’s Quay, along the river, features many diverse shops, hotels, and other public buildings, including the Granary of 1872, which houses the office of tourist information.