Explore New Things in Ballyhoura
Ballyhoura has some of the most impressive things on offer, for you to discover in Ireland. This beautiful country boasts some of the most amazing nature, gardens, wildlife and heritage, with endless experiences and activities for you to explore.
Travel back through the ages and discover something you never knew about Irelands’s past, or learn something new about the wildlife and nature that surrounds us everyday. Either way, there is always something new for you to explore at Ballyhoura!
Birdwatching at Griston Bog
Ballylanders, Co. Limerick
Discover the wonderful wildlife and nature, at Griston Bog in Ballylanders, Co. Limerick. This raised bog has areas of fen, ponds, semi-natural woodlands, as well as planted forestry, which makes it the perfect habitat for an array of birds and insects.
It is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, bees and insects and different types of water life, such as frogs and newts. This environment makes it the perfect habitat for birdlife, allowing visitors to enjoy a wholesome day out, birdwatching and learning about our beautiful wildlife.
The special wooden boardwalk, brings visitors through varied habitats, to a range of facilities such as a bird feeding station, bird hide, insect hotel and pond-dipping facility. Discover the great outdoors and learn something new about the beautiful nature and wildlife, at Griston Bog.
Dromin South, Kilmallock, County Limerick
Discover the magic of Terra Nova Fairy Garden, located in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick. This enchanted woodland, filled with pixies and fairies is surrounded by spectacular tropical and seasonal plantings.
Follow the weaving paths to explore the exciting elements of the garden, which is situated in front of a magical Fairy Fort that has been around for thousands of years!
Why not stop off at the Hobbit Tea House on Bilbo’s Bag End to relax and take in the mystical surroundings! Terra Nova Gardens is home to Ireland's largest Fairy Gift shop, meaning that you can then take some of the magic home with you, by purchasing your very own fairy door or fairy house!
Kilmallock, Co. Limerick
Ballyhoura is rich in history and heritage, with amazing things to discover about how life in Ireland was like in the past. Kilmallock’s Dominican Priory, lies on the north bank of the river Loobagh in the village of Kilmallock, Co. Limerick.
Founded in 1291, the extensive remains at Kilmallock friary contain a number of artistic and architectural features that make it a site worth spending time exploring.
A tour of the friary will take you on a journey, through the well preserved buildings, from the church with its impressive tall crossing tower, to the domestic ranges and the cloister, where the vaulted ambulatory and arcade were restored on the north side.
Amazingly, the upper story of the north range of the structure has survived after all of these years, which is something extremely rare to see, in remains of medieval friaries. Although the upper story is closed to the public, Kilmallock’s Dominican Priory allows visitors to explore and discover something new, from our country’s past.
Explore the heritage of Lough Gur
Lough Gur, Bruff, Co. Limerick
Lough Gur is a lake in County Limerick, located between the towns of Herbertstown and Bruff. This lake district is at the heart of a remarkable archaeological landscape, featuring sites from all of the major periods of human history in Ireland. Lough Gur is home to Gearóid Iarla who was banished to the bottom of the lake by the Goddess Áine. He will return to the surface every 7 years in an effort to break the curse that was placed upon him. Once the silver of his shoes wears thin, it is said that Gearóid will walk among us again.
Embark on a journey back in time and discover the wonderful history, folklore and archaeology of the surrounding area. Lough Gur’s Visitors Centre brings visitors through the ages, with an interactive multimedia exhibition. Discover over 6,000 years of archaeology and history from this astounding area. Lough Gur is also known for its beauty and tranquillity, with its picturesque views and walks around the lakeshore.
There is physical evidence of occupation from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Early Christian, Medieval, Early Modern and Modern eras that has been found in the vicinity. It is also home to Grange Stone Circle, which is Ireland's largest and oldest stone circle.
Grange Stone Circle is also known as Lios na Grainsi (Irish for "stones of the sun"). Grange consists of an impressive 113 stones and was built around 2100 BC, standing at over 150 feet in diameter. It is incredible to see the intelligence and attention to detail, from those who built this structure, as a post hole was found in the very centre of the enclosure, indicating that the circle was perfectly measured out, from the central point.
With centuries of history and heritage to learn about, a trip to Lough Gur allows visitors to take home incredible knowledge, about our country’s amazing history.
