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Celtic Cycling
Outdoor Activities in Co. Carlow
Lorum Old Rectory is the ideal location for an Activity Holiday in Co. Carlow with a wide variety of Outdoor Activities for all ages and interests. We have listed just some of the most popular vacation activities below:
Golfing
There are a plethora of Golf Courses in the area - too many to list. The best known, within easy reach of Lorum Old Rectory are:
Mount Juliet, Thomastown - Jack Nicklaus designed course. The Irish
Open was held at Mount Juliet on three occasions in the 1990's and more
recently, in September 2002, it hosted the American Express World Championships
won by Tiger Woods. Mount Juliet will again be the venue for the 2004
American Express World Championship, which will take place in early October.
Tee times must be booked well in advance - www.mountjuliet.com
Carlow - reckoned by many top golfers to be one of the best traditional
parkland courses in Ireland. It recently celebrated is 100th anniversary
Mount Wolseley, Tullow, Co Carlow - another fine course established in the early 1990's. Designed by the Irish Ryder Cup golfer Christy O'Connor Jr. It is now a mature course and ranks among the most popular in Ireland - www.mountwolesley.com
There are at least another nine courses within a half hour drive of Lorum Old Rectory including the delightful 9 hole course in the village of Borris just down the road. Located on the parkland of Borris House Estate, against the backdrop of the Blackstairs mountain range, this course is one of the most picturesque in Ireland. Golf is played throughout the year in Ireland and it is advisable to book tee times in advance especially in summer.
Walking
The area is a paradise for hill walkers and two favourite routes - along The Blackstairs Mountains and the South Leinster Way - are within a stone's throw of Lorum Old Rectory. The Wicklow Mountains and the Comeraghs are less than an hour's drive away.
Sedate ramblers will enjoy the lovely Barrow Navigation Towpath which winds alongside the river Barrow and offers sightings of swans, herons, ducks and the occasional kingfisher. There are also many fine beaches nearby. One of the best known is Curracloe beach near Wexford where the Normandy landing scenes from the movie 'Saving Private Ryan' were shot.
Cycling
Lorum Old Rectory is home to Celtic Cycling - www.celticcycling.com. Celtic Cycling organises fully supported self-guided tours around the south east region but for those who just want to rent a bike for a day or two or just want to go for a leisurely cycle, a bicycle will usually be available
Horse Riding & Horse Racing
Carrigbeg Riding Stables is less than five miles/eight kms from Lorum Old Rectory. All the instructors are fully qualified. There is an indoor arena and an outdoor arena with show jumps and a cross-country course. The Topflight Equestrian Centre just outside Kilkenny also has excellent facilities. Non-golfers can book a trek through the beautiful Mount Juliet Estate in Thomastown. Gowran Park Racecourse which is less than five miles/eight kms from Lorum Old Rectory is a favourite place for racegoers. Summer evening meetings are a feature of the local social calendar.
Fishing
The River Barrow is a favourite for coarse fishing with fishermen from near and far trying their luck. For the fly-fishing enthusiast and game angler, brown trout and salmon are also caught on the river but licenses are required. For sea anglers, sea fishing boats can be hired at Fethard-on-Sea or Kilmore Quay, both about an hour's drive from Lorum.
Other Activities
For the younger generation there is 'the ultimate cross country driving experience' with Country Quads at Moloney's Farm, Borris - www.countryquads.com or they can visit Ballykeenan Pet Farm at Myshall, Co. Carlow - www.carlow-ceb.com/ballykeenan
A visit to a Hurling or Gaelic Football match at Nowlan Park in Kilkenny or Dr. Cullen Park in Carlow is a unique experience and it should be possible to see a game while you are at Lorum. The Kilkenny County team is traditionally one of the strongest hurling teams in Ireland.
You will find more information on many of these activities
at:
www.southeastireland.com
Photos by James Burke www.grand-design.co.uk