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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 includemail:
Celtic County Carlow
Brownshill Dolmen
East of Carlow town, the dolmen has a granite capstone reputedly weighing
about 100 tons. Situated 3km from Carlow Town on the Hacketstown Road.
Access is direct from car park.
Hacketstown Road (R726), Carlow, County Carlow
Haroldstown Dolmen
This fine portal dolmen is located near Tullow. Access is direct on private
land.
Haroldstown Dolmen, Tullow, County Carlow.
web: www.megalithomania.com
Medieval Kilkenny
Kilkenny Castle
April & May, daily from 10.30am to 5.00pm
June to August, daily from 9.30am to 7.00pm
October to March, daily 10.30am to 12.45pm and 2pm to 5pm
Please note that visitors may have to queue for some time during the summer
months.
A
12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive
parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler Family, Marquesses
and Dukes of Ormonde. The Castle was occupied from the 13th to the 20th
century, with the Butler Family in residence from 1391 until 1935. The
19th century Picture Gallery is 45 metres long and contains many Butler
portraits as well as some fine tapestries, while the other rooms display
the authentic fabrics that existed in the house in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The central block now includes a library, drawing room and
bedrooms decorated in 1830’s splendour. A suite of former servants
rooms is now the Butler Art Gallery, which mounts frequently changing
exhibitions of contemporary art.
Kilkenny Castle, The Parade, Kilkenny City, County Kilkenny.
tel: +353 (0)56 7721450
fax: +353 (0)56 7763488
web: www.heritageireland.ie
email: izabel.pennec@opw.ie
St, Canice’s Cathedral
Easter to Oct, Mon - Sat. 10.00am to 1.00pm, 2.00pm to 5.00pm, Sun 2.00pm
to 5.00 pm.
Saint Canice's Cathedral (Anglican), the second longest of Ireland's medieval
cathedrals, provides a seminal influence on Kilkenny life. Built on the
site of an earlier church, which in turn replaced an earlier timber structure,
the major portion of the work that produced the beautiful Gothic structure
was carried out by Bishop Hugh de Mapilton in the middle of the 13th Century.
Except for the spire, which collapsed in 1332, the present building is
largely unchanged from the 13th century. Features of the cathedral include
the fine collection of 16th and 17th century tombstones; black marble
monuments to lords, ladies and bishops, and to Edmund Purcell, 16th century
captain of the Ormond's notorious gallowglasses, or mercenaries; the 12th
century font and St. Kieran's chair, built into the cathedral walls and
still used in the enthronement of the bishops of Ossory; the Bishop's
Palace and library, founded in 1679 and containing 3000 works from the
15th, 16th and 17th centuries, as well as the Red Book of Ossory, a 15th
century manuscript which chronicles the lives of early saints. Outside,
the 9th century round tower, once used by the monks for refuge, may be
climbed (weather permitting)
St. Canice’s Cathedral, Irishtown, Kilkenny City, County Kilkenny.
tel: +353 (0)56 7764971
fax: +353 (0)56 7723646
email: cathedral@ossory.anglican.org
Kells Priory
All year round; tours by arrangement.
Although there is evidence that there were priests already on site serving the nearby mediaeval parish church, Geoffrey FitzRobert de Marisco brought four Augustinian Canons from Cornwall to establish Kells Priory in 1193. It suffered many vicissitudes in a turbulent period, when it was sacked twice, once in 1252 and again in 1327.
After the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII in 1540-41, the
priory, together with a substantial proportion of its lands, was granted
to James, Earl of Ormond, but continued to elect priors well into the
following century. In the time of Cromwell, the strength of the barony
was further dissipated and the once thriving mediaeval settlement that
had built up around the foundation went into permanent decline. The existing
extensive ruin mostly dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. It consists
of a church, a chapel, prior's residence or sacristy, and a number of
domestic buildings, all standing on an enclosed site of some 4 acres.
Kells Priory, Kells, County Kilkenny.
tel: +353 (0)56 7728255
Jerpoint Abbey
March to May, daily from 10am to 5pm
June to mid-September, 9.30am to 6pm
November, daily 10am to 4pm. Charge applies
An outstanding Cistercian abbey, a mile to the south-west of Thomastown,
founded in the latter half of the 12th century by Donal MacGillapatrick,
King of Ossory. The abbey was occupied some 30 years later by the Cistercians
from Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow. The remarkable 12th century foundation
is very impressive, even as a ruin, with a beautifully carved 15th century
sculptured cloister arcade.
Jerpoint Abbey, Thomastown, County Kilkenny.
tel: +353 (0)56 7724623
fax: +353 (0)56 7754003
web: www.heritageireland.ie
email: jerpointabbey@opw.ie
Duiske Abbey
All year round, Monday to Friday, 10.00 am-5.00 pm; closed weekends
Duiske Abbey, now the Catholic parish church, but once the church of
a 13th century Cistercian monastery, founded in 1204, the remains of which
have been incorporated into the building. The name derives from the Gaelic
for Black Water – dubh uisce – a river that joins the Barrow
a little downstream of the abbey. Duiske Abbey, the largest of Irish Cistercian
monastery churches and whose buildings encompassed much of the town, began
to fall apart in 1536 when it was suppressed. Although the monks continued
to occupy it for many years, it gradually fell into ruin. The last tragedy
was in 1744, when the tower collapsed into the nave. However, the debris
from the tower was smoothed over to create a new floor and the west end
was re-roofed to make a place of worship for the Protestant Church of
Ireland. In 1812 the church was returned to the Catholic community and
the
long work of restoration began – to be completed finally in the
1980’s.
Duiske Abbey, Graiguenamanagh, County Kilkenny
tel: +353 (0)59 9724238
Gardens
Altamont House and Gardens
Summer: Mon. to Thurs, 9am to 5pm; Fri. 9am to 3.30pm;
Weekends, 2pm to 5.30pm
Winter: As above but closed at weekends.
Now managed by The Office of Public Works, these extensive Gardens were
first laid down almost two hundred years ago. A delightful formal garden,
adjacent to the house, leads to the lake area which is a gem in itself.
This in turn leads to the rough or Wild Garden which contains many rare
and interesting shrubs and trees collected by succeeding generations of
the Watson family. Finally the dramatic Ice Age Glen overlooks the River
Slaney with its delightful river-side walk.
Altamont Gardens, Tullow, County Carlow.
tel:+353 (0)59 9159444 or +353 (0)59 9159510
web: www.heritageireland.ie
email: altamontgardens@opw.ie
Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum
Summer: 9.00am to 8.00pm
Winter: 10.00am to 4.00pm. Car park fee €4.00.
Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum are located in the beautiful village
of Inistioge on the banks of the River Nore. The gardens were once regarded
as one of the great treasures of Ireland and Kilkenny County Council has
embarked on an ambitious scheme of restoration. Interesting features include
the Flower Terraces, the Winter Garden, the Monkey Puzzle Walk, the Noble
Fir Walk, and the Arboretum with a rare collection of trees from all over
the world. The dovecote and the curious Grotto provide an interesting
focal point. Woodstock House, built in 1745, was destroyed by fire in
1922 and subsequently became unstable. Access to the gardens is through
the car park .5 km from the main gates.
Woodstock Estate, Inistioge, County Kilkenny
tel: +353 (0)56 7758797 or +353 (0)87 8549785
fax: +353 (0)56 7794004
web: www.woodstock.ie
email: claire.murphy@kilkennycoco.ie
Huntington Castle & Gardens
Home of the Durdin-Robertson family, Huntington Castle has been continuously
occupied since the original tower house was built in 1625 by the first
Lord Esmonde. The present castellated house is the result of additions
and alterations of many periods, its nucleus being the tower house. There
is also an ancient
vine in the conservatory and a Temple to the Goddess Isis in the basement.
Huntington Castle & Gardens, Clonegal, County Carlow.
tel: +353 (0)53 9377552
fax: +353 (0)53 9377160
web: www.carlowtourism.com/gardens.html
email: genova@eircom.net
Kilfane Glen & Waterfall
Open July and August
Kilfane is a pristine example of a Romantic era garden dating from the
1790’s. Untouched for 200 years, it is a picturesque paradise with
a 30-foot waterfall tumbling its way to a rushing stream and woodland
paths leading to a cottage orné. The top part of the garden is
comprised of open areas and woods with interconnecting paths. Works of
art by artists such as David Nash, James Turrell Bill Woodrow, and William
Pye are on display. Near the house you can enjoy the white garden, lily
pond and orchard.
Kilfane, Thomastown, County Kilkenny
tel: +353 (0)56 7724558
fax: +353 (0)56 7727491
email: susan@irishgardens.com
Ducketts Grove
Ducketts Grove was designed in a Castellated Gothic revival style by Thomas
A. Cobden for John Davidson Duckett circa 1825. The gardens are undergoing
restoration.
Ducketts Grove, Rainstown, Carlow, County Carlow
tel: +353 059 9131554
Crafts
Kilkenny Design Centre
Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm, Sundays 11am to 7pm
The Kilkenny Design Centre is a delight, both in ambience and in style.
Here, under one roof, you will find the very best of Irish design and
workmanship, carefully selected from over 200 studios and workshops around
the country.
Kilkenny Design Centre, Castle Yard, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny
tel: +353 (0) 56 7722118
fax: +353 (0) 56 7765905
web: www.kilkennydesign.com
email: info@kilkennydesign.com
Jerpoint Glass Studio
Mon to Sat, 10.00am to 6.00pm
Sun and Bank Holidays 12.00pm to 5.00pm
Studio workshop and shop in a rural setting where wonderful hand-blown
glassware is produced and sold by Keith Leadbetter. Glass blowing is on
view, Mon to Thurs, 10.00am to 4.30pm and on Fri. 10.00am to 2.00pm.
Jerpoint Glass Studio, Thomastown, County Kilkenny
tel: +353 (0)56 7724350
fax: +353 (0)56 7724778
web: www.jerpointglass.com
email: enquiries@jerpointglass.com
Castlecomer Estate Yard
Open 9.30am to 5.30pm and 10am to 4.30pm, depending on each shop.
Visit Castlecomer Estate Yard Arts and Crafts Centre. Here, you will finda
variety of wonderful craft shops all coming together as one.
Castlecomer Estate Yard, Castlecomer, County Kilkenny
tel: +353 (0)56 4440636
web: www.castlecomerestateyard.com
email: potty@crannmorpottery.com
Nicholas Mosse Pottery and Mill Café
Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 6.00pm
Sunday 1.30pm to 5.00pm
Browse among a selection of Nicholas Mosse pottery, linen & glass,
over 3 floors of the store. You will also find a large selection of country
inspired gifts from around the world.
Nicholas Mosse Pottery, Big Mill, Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny
tel: +353 (0)56 7727505
fax: +353 (0)56 7727491
web: www.nicholasmosse.com
email: info@nicholasmosse.com
Chesneau Design Studio
View the full range of handbags, belts, unisex executive and small goods,
alongside limited edition pieces.
Chesneau Design Studio, The Old Creamery, Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny
tel: +353 (0)56 7727456
fax: +353 (0)56 7727329
web: www.chesneaudesign.com
email: ches@indigo.ie
Cushendale Woolen Mills Ltd
Mill shop open Mon to Fri, 8.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5.30pm
Sat 9.30am to 12.30pm
Cushendale Woolen Mills, Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny
tel: +353 (0)59 9724118
web: www.cushendale.ie
email: info@cushendale.ie
Events
June - Éigse Carlow Arts Festival
One of Ireland’s largest arts festivals, this event is a ten-day
celebration of visual art, performance, dance, music, literature, street
spectacle, craft and film. Éigse brings renowned international
and national artists and performers to the South East for a series of
exhibitions, performances, recitals, workshops and talks for young and
old, visitor and local alike.
Éigse Carlow Arts Festival, Foresters Hall, College Street, Carlow
Town
tel: +353 (0)59 9140491
fax: +353 (0)59 9130065
web: www.eigsecarlow.ie
email: eigsecarlo@eircom.net
June - Smithwick’s Cat Laughs Festival
The Cat Laughs Festival is an internationally renowned Annual Comedy Festival
featuring some of the best of both Irish and International stand up comedy
in the relaxed surrounds of Kilkenny’s top venues.
The Cat Laughs Festival, 11 The Spires, Dean Street, Kilkenny City.
tel: +353 (0)56 7763837
web: www.smithwickscatlaughs.com
email: info@smithwickscatlaughs.com
July - Opera in the Garden
Blackstairs Opera holds an annual festival and this year it is taking
place in the grounds of Borris House, Borris, Co. Carlow. (3.5 miles,
6km from Kilgraney House).
tel: +353 053 9255071
web: www.blackstairsopera.com
email: sales@blackstairsopera.com
(Date to be confirmed) - Carlow Floral Festival
Carlow Floral Festival is a gardening, flora and nature extravaganza.
The festival features gardening and floral workshops, arts & crafts
demonstrations and street entertainment.
tel: +353 059 9130441
web: www.carlowfloralfestival.com
email: info@carlowtourism.com
August - Kilkenny Arts Festival
The medieval city of Kilkenny hosts this international festival which
takes place over 10 days in August and attracts some of the world’s
leading artists and performers in a range of art forms.
Kilkenny Arts Festival, 9/10 Abbey Business Centre, Abbey Street, Kilkenny
City.
tel: +353 (0)56 7763663 or +353 056 7752175
web: www.kilkennyarts.ie
email: info@kilkennyarts.ie