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Celtic Cycling
Irish Heritage, Crafts & Gardens
A vacation at Lorum Old Rectory provides a wealth of possibilities for exploring the region's many Heritage & Archaeological Sites; Historic Houses & Gardens; as well as the opportunity to purchase quality crafts from some of Ireland's best traditional and contemporary Craft Outlets.
Our Irish Heritage
The
many, sometimes unwelcome, 'visitors' to Ireland - the Celts, the Vikings,
the Normans and the infamous Cromwell - landed along the east and south
east coasts. Most left their mark in the pleasing form of Dolmens, Viking
Towns and Cities and Norman Castles. A great number of these ancient sites
have been restored and the substantial ruins of many others remain.
Traders and merchants have also traversed the waterways of the Barrow, Nore and Suir for centuries. Located in the Barrow river valley, in the heart of the south east, Lorum Old Rectory is within striking distance of many important historic sites, notable gardens and other places of interest. These include:-
Historic Cities & Heritage Towns
Kilkenny - the medieval capital of Ireland -18 miles/29kms;
Waterford - a Viking city and home to the World famous Waterford Crystal - 29 miles/46 kms
Wexford - a Viking town - 30 miles/48 kms
Irish Castles, Cathedrals & Abbeys
Kilkenny
Castle - 14th Century completely restored to 1830's splendour
Saint Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny - recently celebrated its 800th anniversary
Kells Priory - 12th Century and one of the largest monastic settlements in Europe
Jerpoint Abbey, Thomastown - 13th century Cistercian Monastery
Tintern Abbey, Saltmills - 13th Century Cistercian Monastery
Ballyloughan & Ballymoon Castles - 13th century and right on Lorum Old Rectory's doorstep
Traditional & Contemporary Crafts
Over the years, many craft workshops established themselves in an around Kilkenny City.
The Castle Yard - formerly the stables to Kilkenny Castle - houses a substantial number of workshops. You enter the Yard through The Kilkenny Design Shop, www.kilkennydesign.ie one of the most exclusive stores in Ireland, which specialises in craft products from all over the country. The villages of Bennetsbridge, Thomastown and Inistioge - all in County Kilkenny - are also notable craft centres.
Heritage Gardens
There
are many delightful heritage gardens within easy driving distance of Lorum
Old Rectory. Among these are:
Altamont Gardens, Tullow, Co. Carlow
Kilfane Gardens and Waterfall, Thomastown, Co.Kilkenny
Woodstock Demesne, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny
Kilmokea Manor and Gardens, Great Island, Co. Wexford
Johnstown Castle Museum of Agriculture, Rural life and Gardens, Wexford
The Irish National Heritage Park, Wexford - www.inhp.ie
The National Stud and Japanese Gardens, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare - www.irish-national-stud.ie
You will find more information on many of these sites at: www.southeastireland.com, www.heritageireland.com or www.gardensireland.com
Photos by James Burke www.grand-design.co.uk