Fishing for Pike and Trout

For further details on fishing on Lough Derg and the latest fishing reports
see the Irish Fisheries website.

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Garrykennedy Lakeside Forest Walk is less than 100 metres from the cottage. This is a beautiful, wild forest with several alternate walking routes. There are some steep gradients enjoyable to the hill walker. The perfect way to spend an afternoon. The forest trails include picnic areas. 

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 
45 minute drive from Garrykennedy . In Portumna there 
are vast walking routes spread over hundreds of acres. 

For further details on Lakeside Forest Walks  

see The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland website. 

Wild Duck Preserve at Garrykennedy

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. 
Each evening the whistle is blown and the ducks fly back in from the lake for feeding 
and roosting. 

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Boating & Sailing

Explore the lake by boat. Enjoy some brisk sailing or take 
your ease in a fishing boat. The area of deep navigable 
non-tidal water exceeds 60 square miles. Around the lake 
are more than 10 safe harbours. Most are within a stone's 
throw of a welcoming pub or restaurant or near a 
site of historical interest.

Lough Derg is approximately 25 miles long, over two
miles wide in most places and 10 miles across at its
widest point. It is set in varied and unspoilt
countryside surrounded by mountains, 
rolling hills and lush plains.

Garrykennedy serves as an ideal base for the
fisherman, sailing enthusiast and windsurfer. The
village has two harbours suitable for sailing and
fishing boats. A public slipway is available for use
by all beside the main harbour. We can arrange
weekly rental of fishing boat or sail boat at 
Garrykennedy Cottage. Contact us for additional information.
 
 

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There are several Lake Bus operations 
on Lough Derg. Cruise from 
Garrykennedy, Dromineer and Killaloe 
to nearby harbour villages. Cruise from 
Mountshannon to Holy Island, site of 
a 7th century monastic settlement. 
Contact us for additional details. 
 

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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.
The lakeside drive up the Tipperary side has many 'lookout' points, but for something special, travel up the Arra Mountains, by the signposted Graves of the Leinstermen to Toutinna. However, from the lake road, the lay-by at the 'lookout' gives almost as good a panorama of lakes and islands. The surrounding mountains were slate country which was exported from the quay at Garrykennedy;

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)

How about a drive all around Lough Derg – Consider 10 Great Shannon Region Drives .

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.

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Irish Traditional Music at Garrykennedy
 
 

Garrykennedy, Co. Tipperary,
Phone 067-23364
Traditional pub run by the friendly owners Roy and Denise.
Great Pint. Great Traditional music. Food served (call for details)
 

 Dan Larkins Pub and Restaurant

Garrykennedy. Co. Tipperary,
Phone 067-23232
Food served all day and traditional music at night.
Thatched pub and restaurant. The style is that of an
old world farmhouse, with an open fire.
Bar food and lunch is served all day. Steaks, fish & salads with a children's menu.
Also a la cart menu available. 

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Pubs & Restaurants in the Area

 CISS RYANS Pub,
( See Above for Traditional Music at Garrykennedy)

 DAN LARKINS PUB and Restaurant,
( See Above for Traditional Music at Garrykennedy)

THE HALF DOOR Restaurant (10km from Cottage)
52 Summerhill, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Phone 067-33692

BROCKA ON THE WATER, Restaurant (20km from Cottage)
Kilgarven Quay, Ballinderry, Co. Tipperary,
Phone 067-22038

GOOSERS, Restaurant (10km from Cottage)

Killaloe, Co. Clare
Phone 061 376792

LAKESIDE HOTEL (10km from Cottage)
Killaloe, Co. Clare
Phone 061 376122

ST. DAVID'S COUNTRY HOUSE and RESTAURANT (15km from Cottage)
Ballycommon, Dromineer, Co. Tipperary
Phone 067 24145
Fax 067 24388

THE THATCHED COTTAGE INN (10km from Cottage)
Restaurant and Bar
Ballycommon, Nenagh., Co. Tipperary
Phone 067 31426

JASMIN PALACE (40km from Cottage)
Chinese Restaurant
O'Connell Street
Limerick
Phone 061 42484
 

Swimming
Swimming – Nenagh Swimming pool and Gym (10km from Garrykennedy ) offers excellent indoor swimming, sauna , steam room and exercise facilities. Located on the Dublin Road in Nenagh. The lake at Garrykennedy is popular with swimmers during the summer months. See the website for Nenagh Swimming Poolfor additional information.
 

Lough Derg Sub-Aqua Club
Lough Derg Sub-Aqua Club is affiliated to IRISH UNDERWATER COUNCIL (C.F.T.). Open water snorkels takes place in Lough Derg. 
See the website for Lough Derg Sub-Aqua Club for additional information.

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Horse Riding
For details: eMail : info@garrykennedycottage.com

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Cycling
For details: eMail : info@garrykennedycottage.com

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Golf

Nenagh Golf Club, Beechwood, Nenagh, Tipperary , Phone (067) 31476
4 miles NE of Nenagh town, well signposted Established 1929 The course is set on free draining soil making it playable all year round. Requirements: Handicap certificate required and Membership of another club required. Hire facilities: Club hire and Trolley hire. Practice ground: Extensive 20-acre practice ground. Facilities Snacks, Lunch, Dinner, Club Shop. See the website for Nenagh Golf Club for additional information.

Click here for details of Other Golf Clubs in the region.

Pitch & Putt

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. 
All Enquiries to 067-33293

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Visit Nenagh Heritage Centre

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

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.

See Historical Nenagh Website for additional information.

Visit Nenagh Country Market
Nenagh Country Market, The New Institute, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
As you would expect in Nenagh, this is a buzzy, zappy market, running every Friday from 11 am. As you would expect, the market is a good place to buy chickens and ducks as well as home-made and home-grown produce. Open: 11 am - 1 pm Friday.

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Cinema
Contact Ormond Twin Cinemas, Summerhill, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary 

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• Mayfly Fishing Competition for Brown Trout – in Garrykennedy in  

May of Each Year. 
   

• Traditional Irish Music Festival  

 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 
aspects of Irish tradition: workshops 
on music, singing and dancing plus 
concerts, exhibitions, ceilithe, feiseanna, 
lectures, informal sessions, street theatre.
An event not to be missed.This runs 
generally for the third week in August. l.
 
 
 



 
 
 
 

Visit the Aonach Paddy O’Brien Festival website for further details.
 
 
 

•  Sailing - Garrykennedy Sailing Club holds regular club races most weekends throughout the season. 

 
•  Lough Derg Yacht Club Annual Regatta for Mirrors, Optomist, Lasers, and Shannon-One-Design sail boats - August of Each Year in Dromineer. 

 
• Inland Waterways Association Boat Rally organized by the Inland Waterway Association stops in Garrykennedy. 

Visit the IWAI website for further details.