|
|
|
|
| Fishing
for Pike and Trout
For further details on fishing on Lough
Derg and the latest fishing reports
Lakeside Forest Walks 
CastleLough Lakeside Forest Walk and Children’s
Play Area is less than 3 miles from the cottage. Portumna Lakeside Forest Park in the town
of Portumna is about
Wild Duck Preserve at Garrykennedy
Explore the lake by boat. Enjoy some brisk
sailing or take Lough Derg is approximately 25 miles long,
over two
Garrykennedy serves as an ideal base
for the
Day Cruises on Lough Derg 
There are several Lake Bus operations
Short Scenic drives from Garrykennedy (5km) Begin the drive from Garrykennedy heading to Portroe. Turn right into the village of Portroe heading towards Ballina and Killaloe. The village of Portroe has a commanding view of the countryside, and another pleasant church in cream gritstone. A simple headstone in the churchyard commemorates a Tipperary hurler-author of the landmark 1926 U.S.A. tour, Tommy Kenny, and his son Sean (1930-1973), who crossed the Atlantic with three others in an open Ketch, Ituna, studied with Frank Lloyd Wright at Arizona and became a celebrated designer for the London stage. The signpost indicates a German-owned tube factory originally built up by J.B. O' Driscoll, who in 1923 revitalised the slate quarries which were first worked in the late 1700s and once employed 400 men. The new era lasted until 1956; the now ghostly workings supplied 'Killaloe' slates to a vast number of public and private buildings in Ireland, Scotland and Holland. Since 1991 slates are again being manufactured in this area. Take the road from Portroe. Turn right
into the village of Portroe to Ballina and Killaloe.
On the way back to Garrykennedy take a
turn-off for CastleLough and visit CastleLough Forest Park. Enjoy
the lakeside walking trails through the forest, swimming area. The
kids will enjoy the swings and play area. Longer Scenic drives from Garrykennedy to Circle Lough Derg (100km) A Drive all around Lough Derg – Starting at Garrykennedy and ending at Garrykennedy (email us for driving directions). Lough Derg is very much a lake of myth and history. Its shores have been settled since prehistoric times. Its channel has been part of one of Ireland's oldest routes. In early medieval times hermits, heroes, soldiers, raiders, students and pilgrims, all travelled along this 'highway' from the Atlantic ocean to the Irish midlands. Today, you can drive around the Lough Derg Drive like the explorers of the past.
Irish Traditional Music
at Garrykennedy  Check with the pubs for
dates and times.
CISS RYANS PUB
Free admission
Dan Larkins Pub and Restaurant
Pubs & Restaurants in the Area CISS RYANS Pub,
DAN LARKINS PUB
and Restaurant, THE HALF DOOR
Restaurant (10km from Cottage) BROCKA
ON THE WATER,
Restaurant (20km from Cottage) GOOSERS, Restaurant (10km from Cottage) LAKESIDE HOTEL
(10km from Cottage) ST. DAVID'S COUNTRY HOUSE and RESTAURANT
(15km from Cottage) THE THATCHED COTTAGE INN
(10km from Cottage) JASMIN PALACE (40km
from Cottage)
Swimming
Lough Derg Sub-Aqua Club
Horse Riding
Cycling
Nenagh Golf Club, Beechwood, Nenagh, Tipperary
, Phone (067) 31476 Click here for details of Other Golf Clubs in the region. Riverdale Pitch and Putt Course Nenagh
– Located on the old Birr road Nenagh (a half mile from the Town
Centre). Clubhouse opened from 2.00pm to 9.00pm . An 18 Hole Championship
Pitch and Putt Course in a Natural Parkland setting with the Nenagh
River on one side flowing down to the Shannon. Riverdale caters
for everybody from the novice to the enthusiast. Clubs available
for rent. Suitable for every age range and from the regular local
to the visiting tourist. Green Fees approx £3 Adults £1
Juveniles.
The centre is located in two buildings of North Tipperary's former County Gaol (prison). The displays in the gaol and Governor's House relate to folk life, the environment and prison life. 'Hands-on' is encouraged in the recreated shop, school-room, forge and dairy. There are 3-D models of the gaol complex, Lough Derg on the River Shannon and of the lakeside villages of Dromineer and Garrykennedy. The Centre hosts occasional photographic and art exhibitions. The building also houses Tipperary North's family History Research Centre which conducts research on a fee basis. See the website for Nenagh Heritage Centre for additional information. Visit Nenagh Castle and Franciscan Friary
See Historical Nenagh Website for additional information. Visit Nenagh Country
Market
Cinema
May of Each Year.  Aonach Paddy O’Brien Festival in Garrykennedy and Nenagh in August of Each Year. This is a celebration of the life and work of Paddy O'Brien - musician, composer and teacher.
The six-day programme encompasses all
 Visit the Aonach
Paddy O’Brien Festival website
for further details. Visit the IWAI website for further details.
|
Fishing:
The Nenagh River flows into Lough Derg and 
Wildlife
& Birdwatching: There are many undisturbed and natural areas
around Garrykennedy which are ideal for birdwatching and exploring.
Additionally, Garrykennedy has its own Duck sanctuary located at
the start of the forest walk near the Quay. The ducks have been
raised from chicks and have been trained to respond to a whistle.
Killaloe, Co. Clare 
The
present massive tower, or donjon, was originally one of three towers
interspersed in the curtain wall of a strong Norman castle which
was also guarded by two semicircular towers and a gatehouse (parts
of which remain to the south of the tower). The tower has 5 storeys,
and the walls are up to 20 feet thick. A southern window-niche opening
off the second floor has Romanesque decoration on the inside, while
there is early Gothic decoration on a chimney piece in the floor
above. The castle was founded by Theobald Walter (nephew of Thomas
a Becket) in the first twenty years of the 13th century. The Butlers
resided here continuously till towards the end of the 14th century
when they moved to Gowran, in Co. Kilkenny. during the 15th century
it was in the hands of the MacIbrien family, but by 1533 Sir Piers
Butler, Earl of Ossory, had returned to regain possession. However,
in 1548 the Irish, under O'Carroll, burned it. By the latter half
of the 16th century the Butlers had fully regained possession, but
James I granted the castle to Lady Dibwall. It changed hands many
times during the Cromwellian wars, but was taken from the Cromwellians
in 1660. It also changed hands a number of times during the Williamite
wars, being taken first by O'Carroll and the by Ginckel. It was
afterwards rendered harmless. In order to rid the tower of sparrows
who were ruining his crops, a farmer put gunpowder in the wall in
1960, but only succeeded in blowing a hole in the wall. The topmost
part of the tower was added in the 19th century. A few hundred yards
away, in Abbey Street, are the remains of a 13th century Franciscan
friary which was one of the most important of its Order in Ireland
before being partially destroyed by Cromwell.
