Guess what's Just Around the Corner
by Ekaterinburg
Lismore is a delight and a totally satisfying travel experience. As with most of usVTers, finding out what's just round the next corner is always an ongoing surprise. Lismore isnot a bigtown but it;s not that small either and wherever you decide to wander I guarantee you will find your very own delights. Coming out of the cathedral one day and, instead of turning right, turning left. This brought me on to Church Lane, previously uncharted territory and a discovery of one more pretty street in this seriously pretty town. The artisan cottages here are probably now selling for 6 figure sums, but they still retain that authentic period look.
Walking the Walk
by Ekaterinburg
The Mall was one of Lismore's most fashionable streets, perfect for the hoi and not-so -hoi-polloi to take a leisurelystroll on.
Today, although blighted by cars parked on both sides, The mall is still a lovely walk by any standards. The nicest thing about strollong here is the perfect introduction it gives you to the cathedral and then the turn downhill to all the rest that Lismore has to offer.
Conna- Village and castle.
by Ekaterinburg
If you come to Lismore from Cork, you will turn off before Fermoy and from then on the little country roads will provide an ongoing panorama of sights to delight you. One of the finest of these is the little village of Conna, a truly charming village which seems set in a little time warp.
But Conna is by no means your average sleepy little village and it's signs proudly proclaim that it is "Home to Monty's Pass". I had to get a translation on that one and it transpired that Monty's Pass was a Grand National Winner, trained and bred in the area and a huge source of local pride.
In addition to Monty's Pass, Conna's other claim to fame is its Castle set in a little wooded area just outside of the village. This castle is an excellent example of a local chieftan's domain, the type that you will find scattered all over the Irish countryside. This one is in excellent condition however and was until a few years ago used as a venue for occasional pop concerts. My walk around the grounds revealed that it is still a popular venue for local trysts, and wow, what a spectacular one.
Ride 'em Cowboy! -This is Horse Country
by Ekaterinburg
The whole area around Lismore is Horse Heaven - as we just saw with Monty's pass, they breed 'em keen here. You will pass many stud farms on this route and even quite small houses, frequently have a pony or two or three cantering around in the nearby fields. If you are a horse lover then you will want to get out of the car and admire the animals and I suppose even to somebody with no interest whatever, the sight of healthy well-bred horses is always a pleasing one. The photo shows one of the really big stud farms choc-a-bloc with happy residents.
The Blackwater Valley - Deep in the Country
by Ekaterinburg
Lismore is set in the heart of the Blackwater Valley, an area of lush green fields and woodland where huge trees droop over the meandering Blackwater River. This type of domain is not dramatic or spectacular -no mountain peaks or rugged coastline. It could be described as the bread and butter of irish scenery but it's also typical of the heart and soul of Ireland and the type of landscape that most of us inhabit. If you want to see the Real Ireland, don't just stick with the mountains and the sea. Take a detour into countryside such as the Blackwater valley and prepare to be totally seduced.
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The Square / Main Street
