Ballyhoura Drive , viewed 1146 times

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Ballyhoura Drive
  • Ballyhoura Drive
  • Kilmallock
  • Liscarroll Castle
  • Anglesboro
  • Milford Castle
  • Doneraile Park
  • Church in Kildorrery

Ballyhoura Drive
Start: Kilfinane
Finish: Kilmallock
Distance:123km

Not only are you guaranteed beautiful scenery on this rural drive, but you’ll pass through a collection of handsome towns that showcase the rich history and culture of Ballyhoura Country. En route you’ll find archaeological and historical monuments, not to mention several castles, and many interpretative panels and town trails to lead you on a journey through thousands of years of history right up to present day traditions.

The signposted driving route takes you through Labbamologga, Ballinvreena, Mitchelstown, Kilbehenny, Anglesboro, Kildorrery, Shanballymore, Castletownroche, Doneraile, Churchtown, Liscarroll, Dromina, Milford, Charleville, Kilmallock and Kilfinane.

This drive will take you through two counties, covering both East Limerick and North Cork, along the route of some of the worlds leading writers including Canon P.A Sheehan, Edmund Spenser, Elizabeth Bowen, George Bernard Shaw and William Trevor.

Must see stops along the route
• Liscarroll Castle- The castle was the most important military structure erected in County Cork in the 13th century, and was built on an outcrop of rock immediately north of the village. Its considerable remains including main gate, stone towers and outer ‘curtain wall’ which can be viewed from the local village walk.
• Labbamologga- a small townland on the Mitchelstown to Kilfinane road, is home to what is recognised as one of the most exquisite Early Christian graveyards in Ireland.
• Kilbolane Castle- this castle in Milford is another reminder of times past, when Normans and resurgent Gaelic Clans waged war across the land. Built as one of a line of castles (including Liscarroll castle) to defend Norman territory, the state-owned ruin is not safe to visit, but can be viewed from the roadside at present.
• Aghacross- En route to Kildorrery visit the substantial ruins of Aghacross, founded by Saint Molagga in the seventh century. The existing building has many interesting features, including a weathered carved head of Saint Molagga on the east gable. Saint Molagga’s holy well, on the south side of the graveyard, has stonework which may be over 1,000 years old.
• Doneraile Court- Here 400 acres of parkland are laid out around this historic old manor. There are plenty of marked paths and routes though woodland and by riverside, all of varying lengths.

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