Christmas Market at Lismore Castle

The management committee of Lismore Farmers Market would like to invite you all to our special Christmas Market in the stable courtyard at Lismore Castle.

This market will be held Saturday 17th December from 3-10 pm in Lismore Castle Stable Courtyard by kind permission of Lismore Estates and Lord and Lady Burlington.

Santa will be making an appearance for anyone that wants to check that he has their list for Christmas morning.  He will be arriving at 3pm and will have gifts for the children. Lest the adults feel left out there will be mulled wine and mince pies for them.

There will be a full selection of locally produced artisan food and craft products on sale from stallholders, new and old .

Entertainment will be provided by the Booley House and the St Carthages RC adult and youth choirs.

Another exciting new feature will be a living crib with real farm animals.  An array of special effects will create a real festive atmosphere.A large Christmas tree and lights will set the tone for this unique Christmas Market.

A free shuttle bus will runfrom the car park at the top of Castle Avenue to and from the market

The market will close at 10pm.

Donald Brady at The Robert Boyle Science Festival

The inaugural Robert Boyle Science Festival takes place in Lismore this weekend, Friday 18th- Sunday 20th November. On Sunday 20th November Mr. Donald Brady will present a lecture on Waterford Scientists in the Courthouse Theatre of Lismore Heritage Centre.

Since the seventeenth century Waterford men and women have made outstanding contributions to the world of science. The remarkable and often untold story of Co Waterford’s scientists includes the only Irish recipient of the Nobel Prize for Science, the optician who helped to build the Birr telescope and of course, the Earl’s son whose name is enshrined in chemistry textbooks across the world.

Such achievements provide rich material for Mr. Brady’s lecture and his publication on the subject: “Scientists of County Waterford” which was launched in late 2010.

Mr Brady is also the editor of Hansard's History of Waterford; Memoirs of the lives and characters of the illustrious family of the Boyles.

Now retired, Donald Brady served as Waterford County Librarian for almost twenty eight years. Devoted to the preservation and collation of the historical resources of the county Mr. Brady has brought much of his study to print.

His annual lectures at the Immrama Festival of Travel Writing are much anticipated events and places at his address at the Robert Boyle Science Festival are sure to be much sought after. Admission to the lecture is free and seats will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

For further information on the Robert Boyle Festival please visit www.robertboyle.ie or contact Eleanor at Lismore Heritage Centre on 058-54975

Pre-Christmas Sale in The Craft Shop

Lismore Heritage Centre has a Christmas gift for you….our annual pre-Christmas sale in The Craft Shop will take place Friday 25th-Sunday 27th November with every item in store reduced!


The sale will begin at 9.30am on Friday 25th November for all the eagle eyed shoppers who want to snap up a bargain. Early birds on Saturday morning can enjoy complimentary coffee and mince pies while on Sunday 27th November there’s a treat for all the family with two free children’s shows at 2.30 and 3.30pm.

Family entertainment on Sunday comes courtesy of Cork Circus Street Theatre Company who will perform two of their most popular acts in The Courthouse Theatre. ‘A Trunk of Tricks’ is a feast of string puppetry, magic, storytelling and juggling that will have children enthralled. ‘The Tallest Smallest Circus in the World’ sounds like lots of silly fun and games as a clueless ringmaster tries to prove that the show must go on…with a little help!

More pre-Christmas treats for you include free parking throughout Lismore while you shop, complimentary gift wrapping on all your purchases and everyone who visits The Craft Shop during the sale is invited to enter a draw to win gift vouchers to spend on the huge array of stock on sale.

With homewares, picture frames, jewellery, scarves, bags, seasonal decoration and much more reduced The Craft Shop pre-Christmas sale is the perfect place to pick up gifts, for others and for you!

Take all the time in the world to browse with extended opening hours over the sale weekend; we will be open 9.30am-5.30pm on Friday, 10am-6pm on Saturday and 11am-6pm on Sunday.

For further details call Lismore Heritage Centre on 058-54975. For more updates like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @LismoreHC

Halloween Camp at the Heritage Centre

What are you doing for midterm break? The kids who come to Halloween Camp at Lismore Heritage Centre will be up to their eyeballs in awful art, creepy crafts, disgusting drama, slimy science and ghastly games!


Camp will run from Tuesday 1st- Friday 4th November from 10am – 2pm each day. Children can attend camp for four days, for one day or for any number in between! Only a very small number of places are available for all four days; limited places are available for Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday but Thursday is now booked up.

Tuesday is ‘Meet the Guys Day’: we will be making scarecrows and candy men, running Headless Horseman Races and holding a Guy Fawlkes competition. On Wednesday everything gets a bit Yucky! There will be edible eyeballs, bubbling blood, spider obstacles courses and games of ‘Guess What Gooey’! Friday’s campers will be charmed with potion spells, fortune telling, the black cat sweep and much, much more.

To book a place at camp please call Arlene on 058-54975. If you are coming to camp please remember a healthy packed lunch and drink to keep your strength up and come in your old clothes- things will get messy!

Lismore Mayor’s initiative for National Poetry Day

Event Title: Poems in Shop Windows
Event detail: Ten Poems by Ten Poets (from Waterford or with a strong connection to Waterford) placed on Ten ‘shop windows’

Where: Main Street & West Street, Lismore, County Waterford.

When: From Thursday October 6th 2011(All Ireland Poetry Day) to Monday October 31st 2011.

Organiser: Mayor of Lismore, Ken Madden 086 1712813 / madden@eircom.net

‘I am truly delighted to bring this project to fruition as part of All Ireland Poetry Day.

It showcases great writing in a very accessible way and continues a trend in cultural and artistic excellence in Lismore. I hope that the people of Lismore and visitors to the town will enjoy the poems and be inspired and entertained by them’

‘I wish to thank the poets, property owners who have given use of their windows, Joe Woods (Director of Poetry Ireland), David Murphy (Red Heaven Design) and Karen Hallahan (Town Clerk) all of whom supported the event and made it possible’

Ken Madden (Mayor of Lismore & Event Organiser)

List of Poets, Poem Titles & Biogs.:

James Ballantyne Performance

James Ballantyne was born in Lismore in 1937 and moved to London in 1968 where he graduated as a librarian. His first poetry collection The Dracula Set was published in 1993 and other works have been published in various poetry magazines and anthologies. He has also written novels.


Edward Denniston In Town
Born in 1956 and educated at Trinity College Dublin, Edward Denniston has lived in Waterford since 1980 where he teaches English and Drama. His publications include The Point of Singing, Interacting - 60 Scripts and an ebook, Eskimo Advice.

Corina Duyn Singing Lesson
Corina Duyn is a Dutch born artist and writer living in Lismore. Her work is informed by nature and by living with a chronic illness. She has published three books: Hatched, Cirrus Chronicles- Landing in Ballynelligan and Flying on Little Wings

John Ennis Girders
Born in 1944 John Ennis won the Listowel Open Poetry Competition eleven times as well as the Patrick Kavanagh Award and the Irish American Cultural Institute Award.  He lives in Waterford where he is Head of the School of Humanaties at Waterford Institute of Technology.

Aine Ni Fhoghlu Cronu na hOiche
Award winning poet Áine Uí Fhoghlú comes from An Rinn, County Waterford. She has published two collections of poetry, Aistear Aonair and An Liu sa Chuan.

Thomas McCarthy An Anglo Irish Luncheon Party
One of Ireland's most important poets, Cappoquin born Thomas McCarthy published poems while still an undergraduate and won the Patrick Kavanagh Award at just 24. His large canon of work includes Merchant Prince and The Last Geraldine Officer.


Liam Murphy Reflection
Liam Murphy is a poet, storyteller and drama therapist. His poetry has featured in Poets of Munster, Occasion of Wordshed and Irish Poets : 1924-1974


George O’Brien Cois Abha Moire na nDeise
George O'Brien is an award winning writer and academic whose works include The Village of Longing:An Irish Boyhood in the Fifties, Dancehall Days or Love in Dublin and Out of Our Minds as well as two books on Irish Playwright Brian Friel. He is Professor of English at Georgetown University, Washington.

Mark Roper Robin Song
Mark Roper's many collections of poetry have been widely acclaimed including the recent Even So - New & Collected Poems and an anthology Landing Places: Immigrant Poets in Ireland. He has served as writer in residence at Waterford Regional Hospital.


Peter Sirr The Time Capsule
Peter Sirr was born in Waterford in 1960 and is one of Irelands best known poets. He won the Michael Hartnett Prize for his most recent collection of poems entitled ‘The Thing Is’. A former director of the Irish Writers Centre, he works as a freelance writer and translator and Lectures part time at TCD.

Halloween Camp in Lismore Heritage Centre

Lismore Heritage Centre will host another frighteningly good Halloween Camp this midterm break from Tuesday 1st to Friday 4th November 2011.


In honour of the creepiest holiday of the year we will be giving arts, crafts, science, drama, cooking and games a grisly twist to keep bloodthirsty campers at bay. We will make voodoo dolls, ghosts that move, edible eyeballs and prepare the worst present in the world for someone unlucky that you love! We will be looking forward to Bonfire Night with our ‘Make A Guy’ competition. In science we will concoct bubbling potions, curdle milk to make brains and make colours run away in fright! There will be a spider obstacle course, skeleton scavenger hunt and much, much more packed into four fearsomely fun days.

Halloween Camp at Lismore Heritage Centre will be scaring the wits out of boys and girls aged 5-12 years. Each day at camp starts at 10pm and draws to a terrifying conclusion at 2pm. One day at camp costs €15 or the pluckiest of youngsters can attend all four days for €50.

To survive the day campers will need a healthy packed lunch and a drink. As all kids know, the best of fun can be messy so please come along in older clothes.

Booking is essential as places are strictly limited to the bravest and best campers we can find. If you think you’ve got what it takes call Arlene on 058-54975 or email Akenny@lismoreheritage.ie

G Day: The Timetable

G Day 7th September 2011: A day of celebration and craic


10.00am Farmers Market on Castle Avenue Offical Launch of G Day by Ken Madden (Meara Líos Mhór)

Margadh na bhFeirmeoirí ar Ascaill an Cháisleán


10.30am Bilingual Service in Church of Ireland Cathedral

Seirbhís dhátheangach in Ardeaglais Chárthach Naofa (An Meall )


11.00am Bun Scoil Bóthar na Naomh - Hurling, camogie training displays with “Dan”

Iománaíocht agus Peil le “Dan”


12 noon Fun in the Millennium Park

Spraoi i bPáirc na Mílaoise

Mad Science Experiments, Art workshops, Archery Demonstrations and Music Workshops.


2.00pm Blackwater Community School – Conversation and Entertainment with the students

Pobal Scoil na hAbhann Móire ( Comhrá ,spraoi agus amhránaíocht le na daltaí)


3pm – 5.00 p.m St Carthages House, Sing Along
                          Historical Walking Tour of the work house,railway station, famine graveyard and “The  Last Forge" in Lismore with Pádraig O Macháin. (All are welcome)

Amhráníocht i dTeach Charthach Naofa agus Siúlóid Stairiúil ó Tigh na mBocht go dtí an Cearta .


4pm Town Tour of Lismore on a bike with Arlene Kenny (Start at Heritage Centre)

Turas an Bhaile ar róthar

6 .30 pm- 9.00p.m Gala Evening on Main Street Lismore

Oíche Siamsa ar an Sráid Mhór

• Fancy Dress Competition - Characters from Lismore's History i.e. St Carthage,Walter Raleigh, Robert Boyle,Fred and Adele Astaire.

Comórtas Culaith Bhréige

• Fashion Show - Designs from Mary FM Fashions ,Chez de Paor and Angela Nevin

Seó Faisean

• Ballroom Dancing Exhibition by Margaret Fitzgerald & Co, reminiscent of the days of Fred and Adele Astaire

Rinnce Bálseomra

• Musical entertainment – traditional music,song and dance

Ceol, Amhráníocht agus Rince Tradisiúnta

6.30p.m. St. Carthage's Church, Lismore Choir Rehearsal - Talk on History and Renovations by Parish Council

Cór Charthach Naofa - Caint ar athchóiriú agus stair na hArdEaglaise

7.30p.m. Lismore Camogie Senior Team training session at BCS

Traenáil le Cumann Camógaíochta ag an Pobal Scoil


8.00p.m. Talk on History of GAA in Lismore by Jimmy o’Gorman at Community Centre

Caint Stairiúil ar Cumann Lúthchleas Gael

9.00pm Pub Quiz at Red House as Gaeilge

Tráth na gCeist sa Teach Dearg

9.00p.m. G Day Finale “The Booley House” at Eamonn's Place

Clabhsúr “ Lá le Gaeilge”

Come out on the 7th September when Lismore will be filmed for "An G Team", enjoy free entertainment and support Lismore's bid to become Ireland's top Irish speaking town

Bígí Linn ar G Day: Join in the Celebration of Gaeilge in Lismore

Lismore is gearing up for An G-Day on 7th September, 2011. Can You Help to Turn Lismore into TG4’s Next Top Irish Speaking Town?
The G Team:
TG4 and Adare Productions are producing a brand new series where non-Gaeltacht communities compete against each other for the opportunity to call themselves The G-Team Champions 2011 and to win a €40,000 Foras na Gaeilge prize to use to promote their local area. Lismore has been chosen to compete in the first round of this competition.

The G-Team challenges competitors to begin using their native tongue in their daily routines. Can the local butcher sell the Sunday roast in Irish? Can parents learn enough of the language to read their kids a bedtime story?

G Day:
In our bid for victory, Lismore will host G -Day (Gaeilge Day) on Wednesday, September 7 when the TG4 cameras roll into town to capture a cupla focal being spoken on the streets of Lios Mór.

A carnival atmosphere will greet the camera crew with a host of free entertainment on offer throughout the day. Lismore Farmers Market will set up in Castle Avenue, there will be art, archery and science in the park with music, busking and dancing in the roads as Fred and Adele Astaire return to Lismore courtesy of local ballroom dancers.


Irish Classes/Ranganna Gaeilge:
Classes are being held at Lismore Heritage Centre on Tuesday nights at 7pm for anyone wishing to brush up on their Irish. Classes are €5.

The cameras have already been in Lismore and they like what they see, so come out on September 7th and join in the G Day- we can’t do it without YOU!

Exciting New Heritage Week Events at Lismore Heritage Centre

Heritage Week will be held around Ireland 20th-28th August 2011 and Lismore Heritage Centre has some exciting new events specially planned for children and families.


Saturday 20th August is National Tell Tale Day and the Heritage Centre invites children to uncover The Story of Lismore- our town’s amazing history- through art, drama and storytelling. The Story of Lismore will be held 10.00am-12.00pm on 20th August. It is suitable for primary school age children. Booking is essential as places are strictly limited. There is an admission cost of €3.00 to cover the cost of supplies; each child will craft a souvenir ‘Book of Lismore.’

We know it’s not fair to let kids have all the fun so adults are cordially invited to take part in our Discover Lismore Treasure Trail; a great fun way to uncover the town of Lismore. Pick up a Trail pack from Lismore Heritage Centre at any time during Heritage Week and set off to solve your clues. Return with the completed questions to claim your Scavenger Cert and be entered on our Facebook Wall of Fame. Bring the children and do it as a family or bring your friends and make a race of it. The Discover Lismore Treasure Trail is completely free of charge. Bring a camera if you can!

For further information on these events please call Arlene on 058-54975 or email Akenny@lismoreheritage.ie. For more events visit www.heritageweek.ie

Seanfhocal an Lae: Irish Proverb of the Day

We are brushing up on our Irish in preparation for Lismore’s participation in The G Team- the reality television series to find Ireland’s top Irish speaking town outside of the Gaeltacht . To get ourselves in Gaeilge mode we are digging out old Irish proverbs and sharing them on our outdoor blackboard each day.


Anyone in Lismore who would like to know what our seanfhocal is can call into Heritage Centre Reception to ask. If your cúpla focal is up to it you can pop in and translate it to us; the first person to correctly translate the seanfhocal each day will earn a free tea/coffee OR a free visit to ‘The Lismore Experience’ audio visual show.

While the tea and coffee requires you to physically come and see us we would love our Facebook friends and tweeps to join in the fun so just for the sheer joy of racing each other we will pop the seanfhocal up each morning; ar aghaidh linn!

A Photographic ‘Heritage Moment in Time’ Competition in Lismore

This competition will provide an opportunity to record a week in the life of Lismore from a ‘Heritage’ perspective. Heritage is defined as:

“features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages or buildings, which still exist from the past and which have a historical importance” (Cambridge Dictionary)
or
“National heritage is defined as monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, heritage gardens and parks and inland waterways” (Heritage Council of Ireland).

Considering these broad parameters, take a photograph during Heritage Week to capture a Heritage Moment in Time for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. The competition is open to anybody who is in Lismore between the 20th-28th August, locals and tourists alike.

Photographs will be judged to a shortlist by an independent panel of local people. The shortlisted pictures will be put on the Heritage Centre Facebook page and the winner decided by public vote. The shortlisted pictures will be the photographs that in the opinion of the judges demonstrate the greatest flair, technique and originality in portraying the heritage of Lismore.

Winners will be announced in September to coincide with Community Service Day at the Heritage Centre. First prize sponsored by Mari Mina Pharmacy, Lismore.

All shortlisted submissions will be displayed in the Heritage Centre and posted on the new Heritage Centre website (www.discoverlismore.com) for viewing.

Guidelines
• Photographs must be taken in and around Lismore during Heritage Week
• Entries must be digital files
• Entries to be emailed to ehoward@lismoreheritage.ie
• Images must be submitted as jpegs, saved at high quality setting
• No limit to number of entries submitted
Please include the following information:
• Name, address and telephone number
• Age (if under 18)
• Location of the image taken
Rules and Guidelines
• Where photographs contain the images of people, it is the responsibility of the candidate to inform the individuals concerned that he/ she shall submit the photograph to the Heritage Centre Competition and to have obtained the consent of the individual in question.
• Candidates will retain copyright in their submitted entries. However by entering the competition, the candidate grants rights to Lismore Heritage Centre a royalty free license to publish and use the entry in all media for publicity purposes.

• All entries must be submitted by 9th September

Irish Classes in Lismore Heritage Centre: Join the G Team

Lismore is recruiting for The G-Team! The G-Team is a brand new TG4 reality TV series searching for Ireland’s top Irish speaking town (outside of the Gaeltacht). TG4 will be visiting Lismore in the coming weeks in the run up to G Day- the day the cameras roll into town to observe every effort being made to use Irish in the community. The show’s producers assure us that “The G Team is not about fluent Irish speakers or people who got top marks in Irish in school, the programme encourages everyone to dust off the cupla focal they have and to use it in our everyday lives”

Lismoreians of all ages and Irish speaking abilities are urged to get involved in G Team preparations; James Lenane, Chairman of G Team Committee says “The G Team is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Lismore to a national audience.” Not to mention the €40,000 Foras na Gaeilge prize that the ultimate winners of G Team will take away to benefit their local area.

To facilitate anyone who would like to dust off their bit of Gaeilge in advance of G Day a series of Irish classes will be held in Lismore Heritage Centre. Classes will begin on Tuesday 16th August at 7.00pm and continue for six weeks on Tuesday evenings. The classes will be approximately one hour in duration and will cost €30.00 per person in total.

If you are interested in attending these classes please contact Arlene Kenny on 058-54975 or email Akenny@lismoreheritage.ie

'I Hear You Calling Me' in the Courthouse Theatre

'I Hear You Calling Me' is the story of Count John McCormack; a wonderful night's entertainment featuring such musical gems as Machusla, Because, I Hear You Calling Me, The Old House, Roses of Picardy, The Old Refrain and many, many more.

The show will feature the talents of local tenor Frank Ryan and of Linda Kenny, soprano. Musical accompaniment will be provided courtesy of Tracey Simon on piano and Daniel Lehane on violin. The evening will be narrated by Kevin Hough from RTE's The Lyrics Board who describes the show as "a must for all lovers of Irish and classical music"

'I Hear You Calling Me' will be in The Courthouse Theatre, Lismore Heritage Centre on Thursday 19th May at 8pm. Tickets, priced €20.00 are available now on 058-54975

Book Launch- Images of Ireland: Lismore II

Eugene F Dennis will launch his new book "Images of Ireland: Lismore II" in Lismore Heritage Centre on Thursday 12th May 2011.

There will be a book signing from 7.30-8.00pm and the official launch with special guests at 8.00pm.

Music to beat the band and light and heavy refreshments are promised. Bí ann gan teip: oíche eile clár saol.

Cosy Meadows Plant Nursery

Cosy Meadows is a family run plant nursery located on the Lismore-Fermoy Road between Lismore and Ballyduff. Cosy Meadows specialises in growing cottage garden perennials from seed. They also supply annuals, alpines, ornamental grasses and shrubs.

Cosy Meadows has exhibited at the Fota Plant Fair for two consecutive years. The nursery has also facilitated plant sales at Ballyin Gardens and Saterbridge House and Gardens. You may also have encountered Cosy Meadows at local gala days in Ballyduff and Ballysaggart where they look forward to seeing you again in 2011.

Dervla Murphy Award for Teenage Travel Writing

2011 is the inaugural year of the Dervla Murphy Award for Teenage Travel Writing. The award will be sponsored annually by the Waterford County Council Library Service and presented as part of the Immrama Festival of Travel Writing in Lismore. The winning piece will be published online on the library service website.

The competition is confined to teenagers aged between 13 and18 years from Waterford city and county. Only pieces that have not been previously printed or published are eligible for the award. Competition pieces must not exceed 500 words; a typed copy is preferred but not essential.

Competition entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form which is available for download from www.waterfordcountylibrary.ie or can be picked up from your local library.

Competition entries and completed forms can be sent to Anne Walsh, Waterford County Council Library Service, Ballyanchor Road, Lismore, County Waterford or emailed to annwalsh@waterfordcoco.ie

Closing date for entries is Friday 27th May 2011.

Robert Mallet: A Commemorative Exhibition at Lismore Heritage Centre

Robert Mallet (1810-1881) is one of Ireland's unsung scientific heroes. The engineer and scientist is regarded as the founder of seismology- the study of earthquakes. An exhibition highlighting Mallet's globally significant contributions to the fields of engineering seismology and volcanology will visit Lismore Heritage Centre this Easter weekend.

The exhibition pays particular attention to how Mallet carried out pioneering experiments on Killiney beach during the 1840s showing for the first time how sound waves can shake the ground and cause catastrophic earthquakes.

The exhibition also illustrates the indelible legacy of the Mallet family; their iron foundry business supplied ironwork for the railways and for Irish landmarks such as the swing bridge over the River Shannon and the iron railings around Trinity College.

The exhibition will be open to the public 10.00am-5.00pm Saturday, 12.00-5.00pm Sunday and 11.00am-5.00pm Easter Monday. Admission is free.

This commemorative exhibition is curated by the RDS nad is supported by the Heritage Council, the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and The Irish Times.

For further information on the exhibition's time in Lismore please call 058-54975.

Great Family Fun and Foodie Delights for the Festival of Food in Lismore

It’s the Festival of Food in Lismore as you’ve never seen it before! All the stops have been pulled out to ensure that this is the biggest and best year yet for the Lismore branch of the Waterford Festival of Food.

Saturday 16th April is Market Day. An extended Festival Market will convene on Castle Avenue from 10.00am. The Market will welcome noisy new neighbours as Waterford Macra na Feirme descend on the adjoining field with their day wacky fun events. Everyone is welcome to join them to throw a welly or a horseshoe, a wet sponge or a water balloon. You can milk a ‘cow’, paint a bale, dress a scarecrow or test your favourite toy’s mettle in the Toy Tractor Derby.

It’s not all fun and games: call to the Teagasc and I.F.A. Mobile to speak to a dedicated representative of the dairy, beef and sheep sector; gain a greater appreciation of the role of primary producers and the quality assurance scheme.

There will be music in the Millennium Park, courtesy of Lismore Town Council. Society Four, Sonas and Mike Humphries will perform from the bandstand from noon onwards.

A Festival of Food would hardly be complete without some grub: set price festival menus featuring local produce will be offered by Saffron, Eamonn’s Place, Foley’s On The Mall, The Castle Lodge and Lismore House Hotel with accompanying talks by local food producers Eamonn Lonergan of Knockanore Cheese and Thomas Baldwin of Baldwins Ice Cream. If you believe the best things in life are sweet head to The Summerhouse for a Festival Dessert Plate.

On Friday evening the O’Brien Chop House will host a Kitchen Table Talk on ‘The Art of Salmon Fishing’ as the head ghillie at Ballyvolane House imparts his fishing wisdom and chef Eddie Baguio demonstrates gravalax making techniques. Tickets are €20 including tasting and a glass of wine. Please contact 058-53810 for more.

A small number of places are still available for Cookie Baking for Kids at Blackwater Community School. Baking sessions run from 10.00-11.00am and from 11.00am-12.00pm. Tickets, just €5.00, are available now from Lismore Heritage Centre on 058-54975.

An (Egg) Cracking Time at Easter Camp!

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall…waiting for Easter Camp to begin!

We’ll be making Humpty Dumpty, hoping he won’t fall and getting up to lots more crafty fun and games at Lismore Heritage Centre next week. We’ll turn egg cartons into gardens, buns into masterpieces and hop, skip and jump our way towards Easter.

Tuesday 19th- Thursday 21st April are our Easter Camp Days. Camp runs from 10.00a.m-1.00p.m each day. The cost is €12.00 per child per day; join us for all three days of arts, crafts and games at a special discounted rate of €32.00.

Easter Camp is suitable for boys and girls aged 5-12 years. Campers need to bring along a drink and a small healthy packed lunch. Kids should come along in older clothes; having this much fun can be a messy!

Some spaces are still available but numbers are strictly limited so booking is essential. Please call Arlene on 058-54975 and we’ll sign you up for a cracking good time!

Roll up your Sleeves- its Cookie Baking Time!

The always popular Cookie Baking for Kids will return to Lismore on Saturday 16th April as part of the Waterford Festival of Food. There will be two baking sessions; the first from 10.00-11.00am and the second from 11.00am-12.00pm. The stirring, sifting and tasting will all take place in the kitchens of Blackwater Community School, with the school’s kind permission, and are facilitated by Catherine Toomey. Too many cooks spoil the broth so places are strictly limited and booking is essential. Tickets cost a crumby €5.00 and are available now from Lismore Heritage Centre on 058-54975. Lots of other great events are planned for Lismore for the Festival weekend 15th-17th April. On Saturday 16th there will be a special Farmers Market with Gala Day events, fun with Macra and music in the Millennium Park. Special festival menus will be offered by Saffron, Eamonn’s Place, Foley’s On The Mall The Castle Lodge and Lismore House Hotel, talks by local food producers Eamonn Lonergan of Knockanore Cheese and Thomas Baldwin of Baldwins Ice Cream, with a Festival Dessert Plate at The Summerhouse for the sweet toothed. O’Brien Chop House will host a talk on ‘The Art of Salmon Fishing’ on Friday 15th. Tickets cost €20 and include a demonstration by chef, Eddie Baguio. Places limited please call 058 53810 to book. For more information on all events in Lismore please visit www.waterfordfestivaloffood.com , see local press or call the Heritage Centre on 058-54975.

Easter Camp Days in Lismore: Hopping Good Fun for your Holidays

Could you create a disguise using… a lollipop? Or turn an egg into a bird? Lismore Heritage Centre will have its first ever Easter Camp this April and we’ll be doing all these things and more. We’ll be dying eggs, doing the chicken dance, playing games and we’ve even got some science eggs-periments up our sleeve! Easter Camp Days will be held Tuesday 19th- Thursday 21st April from 10.00a.m-1.00p.m daily. Camp costs €12.00 per child per day. Each morning’s activities are different so a camper can attend all three days at a special discounted rate of €32.00. Easter Camp is suitable for primary school children aged 5-12 years. Campers need to bring along a drink and a small healthy packed lunch. Kids should come along in older clothes; we’ll be having far too much fun to keep our clothes clean! Booking is essential as places are limited; please call Arlene on 058-54975 or email Akenny@lismoreheritage.ie

Free Gardening Guru Workshops at Blackwater Garden Centre

Blackwater Plantsplus Garden Centre in Kinsalebeg is continuing their series of free gardening workshops each Sunday at noon. The workshops, which commenced in February, have proved very popular and Blackwater have announced a further six sessions. The Workshop Schedule: March 27th: Sowing and planting herbs for health Choosing and using herb varieties that are good for your health and the health of your garden April 3rd: Tips for the easiest ways to grow your veg April 10th: Choosing and using evergreens – the backbone of the garden April 17th: How to make amazing garden compost April 24th: Secrets of fabulous hanging baskets May 1st: Companion planting – using herbs and flowers to protect veg plants from insect pests Workshops are completely free of charge and no booking is necessary. For enquiries please call 024-92725. For directions and further information on Blackwater Garden Centre please visit http://www.itsafeeling.com/gradens/167-blackwater-plantsplus-garden-centre-.html

Tourin Film Club

On Saturday 2nd April Tourin film Club will show Neighbourhood Watch and His and Hers. The evening will commence at 8.oopm with the screening of Eamon Little's short film Neighbourhood Watch. This will be followed by the evening's feature film, the acclaimed His and Hers by Ken Wardrop. The Film Club convenes in The Red Room at Tourin Estate. All are welcome. Admission is €5.00 and light refreshments will be provided. Enquiries: call Ciarán on 086-8337462.

A Warning to Accommodation Providers

It has been brought to our attention that accommodation providers are the unhappy targets of an ongoing scam. The typical pattern of the fraud is that an enquiry is made about renting accommodation. You then request the customary deposit. So far so good; however a communication then follows that a certified cheque has been sent in the post. The cheque, you are told, is for a greater amount than necessary for the deposit. You are asked to refund the excess. The certified cheque when it arrives will fail to clear with your bank. The scam received some national attention recently but we now know it has reached Waterford. Luckily the accommodation provider affected was not caught out as they were aware that such a scam was being operated. In the Waterford case the query arose through an advertisement on an English website. All communication between the parties was by email. The booker claimed to be male. Warning signals in advance of the request for a refund included a request for dates that were clearly booked out on an availability calendar and an oversupply of details- the accommodation was being booked for a honeymoon; it was being paid for by the fraudster’s boss etc. Hopefully this warning will help prevent anyone falling victim to this scheme. If you fear you may have been affected by the scam you should contact your local garda station immediately. Telephone Lismore Garde Station on 058-54222

Mothers' Day at Salterbridge Gardens

Sunday 3rd April is Mothers’ Day and Salterbridge Gardens, Cappoquin are the perfect destination for you and your mum on the day. The gardens will be open in aid of Cappoquin’s two churches from noon until 5 o’clock. There will be teas, a plant sale and a treasure hunt.

The garden which surrounds Salterbridge , a Victorian country house, is filled with many camellias, magnolias and beautiful rhododendron. Green shrubs are dotted throughout the garden as well as many species of tall, mature trees including, most notably, four fine Irish yews and a cork oak. 3rd April is an ideal date for a visit as the six-acre garden is at its best in the spring.

To get to Salterbridge from Cappoquin, take the Lismore road (N72) and after half a mile the first house on the right is the Salterbridge Gatelodge. Go through the black gates and three quarters of a mile up the avenue you will find Salterbridge House

Entry is €5.00 for adults. Accompanied children go free. For further information please contact Philip or Susie Wingfield on 087-2030763.

Lismore Among the Waterford County Winners at the Irish Restaurant Awards

The Munster Region winners of the Irish Restaurant Awards have been announced. Winners are chosen from nominations made by Sunday Independent readers, members of the Restaurants Association of Ireland and by regional judging panels.

The Best Customer Service in County Waterford is to be had in Lismore: the O’Brien Chop House added the accolade to their list of achievements. Owners, Justin and Jenny Greene, tweeted a big thanks to all the staff who work so hard to deserve the title.

The big winner in Waterford was The Tannery, Dungarvan. The well known Dungarvan eatery scooped the Best Restaurant Award with proprietor Paul Flynn taking the gong (well nicely framed parchment actually) for Best Chef.

Lismore and Dungarvan are foodie heaven these days as the towns gear up for the Waterford Festival of Food, 15th-17th April.

Other parts of the county also got a look in at the Awards: Bodéga! came out on top in the Casual Dining section of the Awards while Beckett’s earned pole position in the Gastro Pub category. Both popular spots are located in Waterford city.

All the County winners will now compete for the Irish Restaurant Awards Regional and All Ireland Titles in their respective categories. We look forward to hearing a Lismore name called when winners are announced in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin on Wednesday 25th May 2011. Biased…us?!

Ballysaggart's First Community Council

Lismore Heritage Centre's Courthouse Theatre is being used to count votes today as Ballysaggart has voted for its first Muintir Na Tire County Council.

Muintir Na Tire's Regional Development Officer, in the presence of a Peace Commissioner, will determine the five individuals who have been nominated to form the Council from the huge 90% turn out of votes.

The Community Council will be a voluntary group aiming to promote the social, educational, cultural and economic welfare of the whole community. We wish the new council all the best with its endeavours.

Kenneth Cox: Rhododendrons and Azaleas on Four Continents

The Waterford Garden Trail is delighted to welcome the world famous Kenneth Cox to speak on “The Amazing World of Rhododendrons and Azaleas on Four Continents.”

From a family considered to be the world’s leading experts on rhododendrons, Kenneth Cox has led plant-hunting expeditions to Tibet and India and authored seven books on the subject. An experienced and entertaining speaker Kenneth has lectured throughout the UK, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Cox’s lecture will take place in the Town Hall Theatre, Dungarvan on Tuesday 26th April 2011 at 8.00p.m. Tickets priced €10.00 include a complimentary Cheese & Wine Reception beginning at 7.30p.m.

Tickets are available now from Lismore Heritage Centre. Please telephone 058 54975 or email Akenny@lismoreheritage.ie.

Closed St Patrick's Day

Lismore Heritage Centre will be closed St Patrick's Day. We will re-open Friday 18th March at 9.30a.m.

Happy St Patick's Day everyone!

St Carthage's Cathedral Lenten Lunches

St Carthage's Cathedral is organising a series of "Lenten Lunches"on Fridays throughout Lent. For €5.00 all are welcome to enjoy a lunch of homemade soup and bread. All money raised will be donated to Christian Aid for use in various Third World projects.

The luncheon series began on Friday 11th March at The Deanery. The remaining lunch locations are:

Friday 18th March: 'Alana', Chapel Street (opposite Blackwater Books)

Friday 25th March: St Vincent de Paul, Fernville

Friday 1st April: Maureen Doherty, East Main St

Friday 8th April: St Vincent de Paul, Ferville

Friday 15th April: The Deanery (beside St Carthage's Cathedral)

For further information please contact Catherine on 058-54105

Lismore Farmers Market 2011 Season

Lismore Farmers Market launched its sixth season last Sunday, 13th March ,on Devonshire Day.

The Farmers' Market Committee is looking forward to a very exciting year in 2011 with several new initiatives planned to bring the quality of the market up to the next level.

As well as many of the regular stallholders the Committee invites newcomers with novel ideas for innovative products to diversify and enhance the range and quality of produce provided.

The stallholders will convene on Castle Avenue, Lismore on Sundays at 9.30am throughout the spring and summer.

For further details contact the Chairman of Lismore Farmers Market Management Committee, Michael J. Walsh 086-8377590.

Knockout Knockmealdowns

Old habits die hard when Tony Doherty, writer of “Go Walk” in The Irish Times Travel Supplement, gets to the Knockmealdowns. The walking correspondent freely admits to retracing his favourite route up the Sugarloaf and on to Knockfallia time and again. A change is better than rest however and a decision to explore the “rather peculiar” ridge leading to Knockshanahullion (Hill of the Old Holly) exposed “a fine walk to the west of the Vee that’s been undervalued for too long.”

For details of the walk and to read the entire article: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/travel/2011/0312/1224291935624.html

Talking Travel and Immrama with the Frommers

The phenomenon of a little town in County Waterford that manages to attract the world’s greatest travel writers made quite an impression on Michael Shapiro. The wonder is still in Michael’s voice as he describes his visit to the Immrama Festival of Travel Writing in Lismore last June.

Michael’s awe is was captured in conversation with Arthur and Pauline Frommer, publishers of Frommer’s Travel Guides, the world’s largest selling series of travel guides and hosts of The Travel Show on WOR a major New York city radio station .

Ireland, according to Shapiro who just returned to the U.S. from Dublin, is a country still in love with books, where economic crisis means there are bargains and deals for tourists and where it is vital that visitors get out of the big cities and take a look off the beaten track- in County Waterford for example!

Michael Shapiro is a freelance writer, editor and photographer, a contributor to National Geographic Traveler, the San Francisco Chronicle and Washington Post and the author of A Sense of Place: Great Travel Writers Talk About Their Craft, Lives and Inspirationand Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya.

The Immrama Festival of Travel Writing will be held in Lismore from 9th-12th June 2011. Details of the programme are kept under lock and key until the official launch in April.

Michael Shapiro’s whole talk with the Frommers is available here http://www.wor710.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=5209031

Lismore Leg of the Festival of Food to Give It Welly

Exciting new events and a return of old favourites ensure that 2011 will be the best year yet for the Lismore branch of the Waterford Festival of Food.

Saturday 16th April is the big Food Festival Day in Lismore. Kick off the day with a hearty breakfast at Rose’s West End Bar then enjoy some peace and quiet while the kids roll up their sleeves at the Children’s’ Baking Workshops in Blackwater Community School. Kindly facilitated by Catherine Toomey, the Children’s Workshops are always a sell-out; tickets and more information will be available from Lismore Heritage Centre on 058-54975 in the coming weeks.

That will be the end of the relaxation as Waterford Macra is planning a day of raucous fun in the field adjacent to the Millennium Park and Lismore playground, kindly given by Lismore Estates, and they want everyone to get involved. If you don’t want to ‘Pimp my Welly’ or paint a bale you could dress the scarecrow or milk the “cow”. There’s a Toy Tractor Derby if you think your model Massey or Ford has got what it takes and Farm Skills challenges for the young farmers out there.

If you avoid the wellies and wet sponges being thrown you can make an informative visit to the Teagasc and I.F.A. Mobile Unit. Speak to a dedicated representative of the dairy, beef and sheep sector to gain a greater appreciation of the role of primary producers and the quality assurance scheme. Experience the journey food takes to your plate and gain fascinating insights into areas such as Ireland’s role in the global baby food market.

The Farmers’ Market will convene on Castle Avenue, its scenic home. An extended Festival Market will ensure an abundance of the high quality, locally produced goods we have come to expect from the stallholders. Market Day will begin at 9.30a.m. Music in the Millennium Park will be provided courtesy of Mayor Orla Russell.

Special events are planned over the entire course of the Festival weekend, Friday 15th-Sunday 17th April. Festival menus featuring local produce will be available in participating restaurants. On Friday evening the head ghillie at Ballyvolane House will impart his fishing wisdom to the diners at O’Brien Chop House. The Summerhouse Café will be serving a yummy dessert plate on Friday and Saturday. Saffron, Eamonn’s Place, The Castle Lodge and Foley’s are also getting in on the act with special menus and events.

On Sunday 17th April local chefs Paul & Claire Deevy, Richmond House, Noel & Annemarie Costello, The Bride View Bar, and Justin & Jenny Green from The O’Brien Chop House will bring “A Taste of West Waterford” to the monster Farmers’ Market in Dungarvan Town Square.

In preparing this extended new programme of events the Lismore Festival of Food Committee would like to thank Lord and Lady Burlington, Denis Nevin and Jerry Twomey of Lismore Estates, Mayor Orla Russel and Lismore Town Council, Lismore Heritage Centre, Lismore Mochuda Development Company Ltd. and the businesses of the town.

Researching Local History Course at Cappoquin Community Centre

A 4 week course of lectures on how to research your local history by Joanne Rothwell, Waterford County Archivist.

Week 1: An Introduction to Sources The sources that are available for local history and how you can access them.

Week 2: Heading for Town Ceapach Choinn and sources for research in towns and villages

Week 3: Land Equals Power? Sources for research in rural areas

Week 4: Tall Tales and Fierce Facts Tracking down the truth of local stories and legends

The course starts Wednesday 9th March and continues every Wednesday for 4 weeks from 7-8.30pm at Cappoquin Community Centre until Wednesday 30th March

Cost: €5 per session

For more information contact Cappoquin Community Centre at Telephone: 058 52746 or e-mail: ocappdev@eircom.net

Cookery Demo in Aid of Liosmór Mochuda National School

Beth-Ann Smith will host a Cookery Demonstartion in aid of Liosmór Mochuda National School on Wednesday 23rd March.

Beth-Ann Smith is a free lance chef working partly in Lismore Castle. She is also the proprietor of Amuse Bouche, the catering company launched at last year’s Lismore Music Festival. Beth-Ann and her team kept over 450 opera-goers content with tapas, paella and cupcakes- quite a debut! Beth-Ann has been working as a cookery teacher for several years. Combining the training she received at the world-famous Balymaloe Cookery School with professional catering experience Beth-Ann has something to teach everyone from the kitchen-shy to the Ramsay wannabes.

The Cookery Demonstration will be held in Cappoquin Community Centre from 10.00a.m.-12.00p.m.

Tickets cost €15.00. All proceeds go to Liosmór Mochuda National School.

Booking is essential as places are limited; please call Zoe on 087-6168303.

Dished Up! Waterford Festival of Food Programme for 2011

Fresh and fun new ingredients in the Waterford Festival of Food 2011 include “Three Chefs Kitchen Supper” and “Brunch in a Blaa with the Boys”.

Favourites from previous years return: the Bus Bia Tour, the Crude Food Trail and Breadmaking at Barron’s Bakery.

Talented chefs on hand to serve up a great weekend: Martijn Kaujiter and Ross Lewis will be clinking Michelin stars; Paul Flynn, Conor Foran, Richard Corrigan and Mark Hix will slice, dice and demonstrate…though things could get a little Fishy Fishy with Martin Shanahan in town!

Some of the best things in life are free; the opening Pig Parade, Food Camp 2 at Dungarvan Castle, BBQ by the Sea and Sunday’s monster Farmers’ and Country Market in Dungarvan town centre.

Big plans are being cooked up for out West too; details of great events in Lismore on the way.

The Waterford Festival of Food will run from Friday 15th- Sunday 17th April. For more events, information and ticket prices please see www.waterfordfestivaloffood.com

Lismore Music Festival 2011 Presents Don Giovanni

Lismore Music Festival launched its expanded programme of events for 2011 and this summer’s featured production Don Giovanni, in the elegant surrounds of its home at Lismore Castle on Monday evening.

The Festival will take place over two days; Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June. A new production of Mozart’s much loved Don Giovanni, directed by Dieter Kaegi will be the weekend’s central attraction.

Recitals at Salterbridge House and concerts, “Opera for Guitar & Voice”, at St Carthage’s Cathedral are among the events planned for the June bank holiday weekend. Free music events will be staged around the town and the Opera Supper Club will return to O’Brien’s Chop House.

The LMF box office is now open on 00 353 87 1680258 or 00 353 58 52769. For more information please visit www.lismoremusicfestival.com or pick up a programme at Lismore Heritage Centre.

Wednesday 2nd March is Fair Day!

This Little Piggy Went to…The Pig Fair in Walton Park!

Walton Park, Dungarvan is about to be taken over by pigs; colourful, crafty "pigs" that will launch the programme for the 2011 Waterford Festival of Food, Dungarvan.

The pigs, which have been lovingly created by schools, clubs, groups and even girl guides, will be judged by a team including RTE’s South East correspondent, Damien Tierney and Jim McGrath of Truly Irish, sponsor of the event. The winning pig will become the mascot of the Festival of Food 2011.

If you would like to see the pigs be judged visit Walton Park at 3.00p.m on Wednesday 2nd March. If you can't make it on Wednesday all the pigs will be paraded through Dungarvan on the opening day of the Festival, Friday 15th April and will remain on display around the town throughout the Festival weekend

A Mascot for Lismore Heritage Centre?

Thousands of children visit Lismore Heritage Centre every year. Classes from all over Munster and Leinster come to us on school tour or we come to them with our Mobile Science Workshop. Local kids come to our summer, Halloween and Easter camps and holiday makers and day-trippers try out our Family Fun Experience. When we are not entertaining and educating all those children (and our fair share of adults) we promote the Heritage Centre, Lismore town and West Waterford at trade fairs all around the country. So we thought; is it time to put an exciting new face towards all these children and potential visitors? Is it time we got a mascot?

Fota Wildlife Park has Larry the Lemur and Perks Funfair has Perky Bear- what should we have? Our mascot could be a crazy scientist- representing our workshops and our special status as Robert Boyle’s birthplace. We could have something cuddly- like a cartoon squirrel or fox- standing for the nature trails that are part of our school tours and Family Fun. We could draw on Lismore’s long and exciting history to produce a character like Walter Raleigh or Fred Astaire. Or we could bring Brother Declan, long-time narrator of our audio-visual show “The Lismore Experience”, to life.

Do you think we should have a mascot? If so, what do you think our mascot should be? We would be very interested in your opinion. You can leave a comment on our Facebook page, on our blog or you can email Akenny@lismoreheritage.ie . Let us know what you think!

Devonshire Day: An Afternoon of Borrowed Luxury

Has life of late not lived up to your expectations? Is there no-one keeping you in the style to which you would like to become accustomed? Is the doom, gloom, recession penny pinching having a terrible impact on the champagne lifestyle? A solution is at hand!

Sunday 13th March 2011 is Devonshire Day. Devonshire Day is your opportunity to stroll in the shadow of Lismore Castle’s walls, to have the Castle’s Head Gardener, Mr. Chris Tull, personally escort you on a unique guided preview of the Castle’s spring gardens before ringing for the Butler to bring you cream tea in the Pugin Room, the Castle’s former Banqueting Hall.

If after all this special treatment you can bear to tear yourself away, you may return to the earth with a visit to Lismore Heritage Centre where you may visit our exhibition galleries and cinema to watch “The Lismore Experience”- a great way to learn in whose historical footsteps you have been threading.

This wonderful afternoon is all yours for just €20.00 and funds raised support the Immrama Festival of Travel Writing held in Lismore each June. Tickets are available on 058-54975 or 058-53365. There are five tours throughout the day: at 11.30am, 12.40pm, 1.50pm, 3.00pm and 4.10pm.

A word of caution- book early; Devonshire Day usually sells out well in advance.

Still Life at Lismore Castle Arts

“Still Life” is the Lismore Castle Arts Exhibition for 2011.

Incorporating the work of six artists: Gillian Carnegie, Anne Collier, Mark Leckey, Sherrie Levine, Seth Price and Richard Wright, whose work is an exciting new site-specific piece, “Still Life” is curated by Polly Staple.

“Still Life” explores the status of images as objects. Artistic strategies represented in the exhibition include appropriation, repetition and serial production. Points of reference include the production of images influenced by new technologies and the relationship between painting, photography and the moving image.

Still Life will run from 9th April- 30th September 2011.

Lismore Castle Arts is a contemporary gallery located in the once derelict west wing of Lismore Castle. Visitors to “Still Life” are welcome to stroll through Lismore Castle Gardens and enjoy the sculpture installations among the plant life.

Visit http://www.lismorecastlearts.ie/ for more information or find them on Facebook.

Science in your School: The Lismore Mobile Science Workshop

The Lismore Science Workshop is taking to the road! In two action packed thirty minute sessions our experienced guides will teach your students all they need to know about electricity and light in their very own classroom.

Our workshops provide a hands-on learning experience that will bring science to life for your pupils. Each child has an opportunity to conduct a number of experiments that will greatly enhance their understanding of these two important scientific topics. Student worksheets are supplied to reinforce learning.

Lismore’s Mobile Science Workshop costs just €6.00 per child with a minimum of €180.00 per school. All materials are included.

For more information please contact Alice or Eleanor on 058-54975 or email adonoghue@lismoreheritage.ie

On Friday our guides were in Bansha National School in County Tipperary- see the pictures on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000122755760#!/album.php?aid=58348&id=100000122755760

Helen Dillon at Lismore Castle Arts

Just a week to go until Helen Dillon arrives in Lismore for a very special lecture at Lismore Castle Arts.

The renowned plantswoman, writer, lecturer and broadcaster will discuss many aspects of designing, creating and maintaining a personal garden. And she should know- with her husband Val, she has created a garden in Dublin that is considered to be one of the gems of the horticultural world. The widely acclaimed garden is a mix of startling design and perfectly grown plants - many of them rare and unusual.The Lismore visit is Ms Dillon’s only upcoming Irish lecture- other engagements await her in Oslo, Yorkshire, Atlanta and North Carolina.

"Confessions of A Plantswoman" will be on Thursday 24th February at 7.00pm. Tickets cost €10 (€8 to ‘Friends Scheme’ members).

For further information or to book a ticket to this event please telephone 058 54061 or email info@lismorecastlearts.ie. Advance booking is essential as tickets are selling fast.

Bunscoil Bhóthar na Naomh Table Quiz

The annual Table Quiz organised by the Parents' Council of Bunscoil Bhóthar na Naomh will be held on Friday 18th February 2011 in Ballyrafter House Hotel.

Registration will take place at 8.30p.m and the cost is €40 per table.

Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Coffee Morning In Aid of Liosmor Mochuda N.S.

Coffee Morning this Friday 18th February 10.30am-12.30pm in the Church of Ireland Parish Hall, East Main St. Lismore. Everyone is welcome. All proceeds to Liosmor Mochuda N.S. Come along to enjoy teas, coffees, cakes and scones and try your luck in the raffle.

Lismore is one of the Ten Sweetest Places for a Valentine’s Day Proposal

Lismore Castle is one of “the sweetest places to begin the rest of your life” according to CNN Go’s “Ten Sweetest Places for a Valentine’s Day Proposal”. The travel department of the Cable News Network argues that anyone planning to propose on 14th February must atone for their cliché by popping the question in spectacular fashion.

The stunning fairytale setting of Lismore, the hiking excursions in the Knockmealdowns, the Michelin-starred Cliff House Hotel and the salmon running by the Blackwater’s green banks are all mentioned on the checklist that earned the Castle its spot on the list.

The Castle is in some heady company- it appears alongside the Great Wall of China, the Maldives, Shiraz (“Iran’s love capital”) and the Hotel Excelsior, Dubrovnik where Richard Burton romanced Elizabeth Taylor.

And if Valentine’s Day has come and gone-fear not; after all tomorrow is another day!

Free Gardening Workshops at Blackwater Plantsplus Garden Centre

Blackwater Plantsplus Garden Centre in Kinsalebeg is offering free gardening workshops each Sunday throughout the rest of February and March- perfect for anyone eager to join the GIY movement or to keep that New Year resolution to spruce up the back garden.

The Workshop Schedule:
20th February: Choosing vegetable, herb and flower seeds to sow now including potatoes

27th February: The Great Value Garden- focus on bulbs, tubers and easy border plants to create a cost effective garden full of colour.

6th March: Preparing the vegetable plot for planting- when and how to use manure, lime and non-chemical fertilizers.

13th March: Growing flowers to enjoy, cut and eat.

20th March: Developing the fruit garden- choosing and using the best varieties of fruit trees and bushes.

27th March: Sowing and planting herbs for health- choosing and using herb varieties that are good for your health and the health of your garden.

Workshops are completely free of charge and no booking is necessary- just turn up and get your green fingers in gear!

Getting to Blackwater: the Garden Centre is 8km (5mls) from Youghal or 22km (14 mls) from Dungarvan. Follow the finger signpost off N25 and go 600 metres up hill. See map on Blackwater webpage.

Visit Blackwater Garden Centre on the web on www.plantsplus.ie then click link www.plantsplus.ie/blackwater. Alternatively telephone Mike or Ithel on 024-92725 or email info@blackwatergardencentre.ie

Aspects of County Waterford’s Heritage: A Lecture

“Aspects of County Waterford’s Heritage” promises to be a highly informative and interesting lecture by Bernadette Guest, Heritage Officer with Waterford County Council. The lecture takes place as part of the Waterford County Museum Lecture series.

Bernadette will speak about a number of projects under the County Waterford Heritage Plan including the Graveyard Survey and the Thatch Survey and conservation initiatives such as the Tramore Dunes Restoration and the Red Squirrel Conservation Project.
Attendees can discover what information is available on county heritage and also learn how to become involved in heritage projects

The lecture will take place on Wednesday 16th February at 8p.m in the Town Hall, Friary Street Dungarvan.

Ballymacarbry Bed & Breakfast in Bridgestone’s Top 100

Glasha Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast has been named in the ‘Top 100 Places to Stay’ in the 2011 Bridgestone Guide.

Glasha is located in Ballymacarbry tucked away between the Comeragh and Knockmealdown Mountains in what Bridgestone describes as “this most blessed part of the country.”

Glasha is an ideal location for a walking holiday; the Bridgestone reviewers contented themselves with mere strolls but have plans to returns for a much more adventurous stay. They are confident that “what will sustain the pair of them will be two things: the brilliant breakfast they will have enjoyed in Olive’s charming dining room, and the promise of a true farmhouse dinner to restore body and soul when they get back.” Ballymacarbry is just a scenic drive away from Lismore, where the foot sore can enjoy a day of relaxation.

“Olive” is Olive O’Gorman who runs Glasha Farmhouse with her husband, Paddy. Olive and Paddy can be contacted on 052-6136108 or through their website www.glashafarmhouse.com. The Bridgestone 2011 Guide is available now.

Eco Eye in the South East

“The south east of Ireland has managed to successfully link all of its greatest attributes; fishing, food and heritage.” That was the verdict of Tania Stewart, Eco Eye presenter following her visit to Waterford’s Blackwater Valley.

Tania travelled a stretch of the Blackwater through stunning scenery with Cyril Saichs, Direct Conservation Officer. The Blackwater’s status as a special area of conservation is paying dividends for local wildlife, preserving habitats for rare native species such as the long eared owl and barn owl and providing wonderful sighting opportunities for the tourists who choose to ‘cruise’ or kayak on the river.

Conservation also results in bountiful fish stocks and ensures the Blackwater’s status as Ireland’s premiere salmon fishing destination. Tania’s fishing lessons were provided by champion angler Glenda Powell of The Blackwater Lodge, Ballyduff which welcomes visitors from all over the world to enjoy the peace of the water- and the satisfaction of a catch.

The historic management of the Blackwater and its wooded banks by the Devonshire family of Lismore Castle, as documented in Lismore Heritage Centre, also attracted the Eco Eye team who visited the 300 year old trees of the Castle Gardens’ Yew Walk.

Burgeoning food tourism got a look in too; Margaret Jeffares, founder of Good Food Ireland praised the vast variety of local food in the south east and its wonderful international reputation which will be celebrated in Dungarvan with the Waterford Festival of Food in April.

See it all on the RTE Player: http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1091111

Easter Camp Days in Lismore

Have you ever done a science experiment with marshmallows? Or been allowed to smash an egg? Lismore Heritage Centre will have its first ever Easter Camp this April and we’ll be doing all these things and more. We have eggs to dye, masks to make and lots of fun, games, science and crafts to ‘spring’ you into your Easter holidays.

Easter Camp Days will be held Tuesday 19th- Thursday 21st April from 10.00a.m-1.00p.m daily. Camp costs €12.00 per child per day. Each morning’s activities are different so a camper can attend all three days at a special discounted rate of €32.00. Easter Camp is suitable for primary school children aged 5-12 years. Campers need to bring along a drink and a small healthy packed lunch. Kids should come along in older clothes; we’ll be having far too much fun to keep our clothes clean!

Bookings and enquiries to Arlene on 058-54975 or email Akenny@lismoreheritage.ie

Best of Luck to Lismore Camogie Club

Lismore's great Intermediate Camogie Team will contest the All-Ireland Semi Final this weekend. Lismore will face the Derry champions, Eoghan Rua. The semi final will be played in Ashbourne, Co. Meath at 2.00pm this Sunday, 6th February.

We wish the girls the very best of luck.

Thursday 3rd February 2011: Staff Training

To facilitate staff training Lismore Heritage Centre will not open until 3p.m. tomorrow, Thursday 3rd February. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Glenribbeen Eco Lodge: the Green Holiday Destination

Glenribbeen, a Fáilte Ireland 3* Bed & Breakfast, has a slew of awards to its name including a Georgina Campbell “Good Food” Award 2009 and GHA Ireland (GOLD) Award. Chief among its achievements however must be the prestigious E.U. Green Flower Award for ecologically friendly accommodation. Glenribbeen Eco Lodge is the only accommodation in southern Ireland to achieve the accolade.

However Glenribbeen Eco Lodge Bed and Breakfast, located between Lismore and Cappoquin, offers much more than “accommodation without the footprint.” Not content with providing shelter to the weary traveller Glenribbeen is ready and willing to entertain. Its energetic guests may borrow canoes, bikes, kites and various garden games or learn a new skill. Accommodation is dog friendly and alternative cuisines are skilfully catered for.

Archery School: Glenribbeen’s proprietor, Peter O'Connor, is an I.T.F.A.S. associated coach. At Glenribbeen, Peter has a purpose built archery shoot where one learns to “loose arrows” correctly and safely. The school teaches traditional (instinctive) archery to prepare fledgling archers for club/course shoots. Safety is paramount and learners will also gain a flavour of rich archery lore. Various bows are available including a 7’ English long bow. Glenribbeen Lodge also has the facilities to make arrows and show the proper care of archer and equipment.

School Of Music: the Glenribbeen School of Traditional Music is affiliated to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and run by Peter O'Connor T.T.C.T. and S.C.T. (senior-level). All ages and levels catered for. Peter has played fiddle since 1963 and the music school has been running since 1998. Lessons are available to guests on request.

Bat Watch: Peter’s popular ‘Bat Watch’ walks will recommence in May 2011.

Contact Glenribbeen Eco Lodge-
Address:Glenribbeen, Lismore, County Waterford
Tel:(0)58 54499/(0)86 6017176
Website: www.glenribbeen.com

Pig Art and Dish for the Deise: Get Involved in the Waterford Festival of Food

Pig Art and Dish for the Deise are two great new competitions launched for the Waterford Festival of Food 2011. So if you are a wannabe chef or an artist bursting to get out this could be for you.

Pig Art wants you to make and decorate your very own one metre high porker to take part in the Festival's Pig Fair and Pig Parade with one little piggy chosen as the 2011 Festival Mascot.

Dish for the Deise will select one recipe devised by an 'at home' cook ,using local ingredients and with a distinctive Waterford flavour, to be prepared and served in the wonderful Nude Food café.

Entry requirements, entry forms and further details are available on the Festival website at http://www.welcomewaterford.com/FestivalofFood2011/Competitions/.

Happy competing: may the best swine and dine(r?!) win!

Minister of State Re-Opens Newly Renovated Library

Minister of State, Michael Finneran is in Lismore this morning reopening the town's newly renovated Carnegie Library which celebrates its centenary this year.

The Minister for Housing & Local Services at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government also launched "Port Láirge Ag Léamh: A Four Year Reading Development Strategy 2011-2014 ".

Mr Donald Brady, former County Librarian, made a presentation to Deputy Finneran.

Helen Dillon: Confessions of a Plantswoman at Lismore Castle Arts

Lismore Castle Arts is delighted to bring Helen Dillon to Lismore for a very special lecture, where she will discuss many aspects of designing, creating and maintaining a personal and highly celebrated garden.

Helen Dillon is a world-renowned plantswoman, writer, lecturer and broadcaster. With her husband Val, she has created a garden in Dublin that is considered to be one of the gems of the horticultural world. This widely acclaimed garden is a mix of startling design and perfectly grown plants - many of them rare and unusual.

"Confessions of A Plantswoman" will take place on Thursday 24th February at 7.00pm. Tickets cost €10 (€8 Friends) - advance booking essential. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Lismore Estates’ For further information or to book a ticket to this event please contact Paul McAree on 058 54061 or email info@lismorecastlearts.ie. Early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Immrama Table Quiz

The annual table quiz to raise funds for Immrama, Lismore's Travel Writing Festival, will take place this Friday 21st January. The quiz will be held at Ballyrafter House House. Questions start at 8.30pm.

RTE's The Way We Worked Looking for Participants

RTE is producing a history programme called "The Way We Worked." A similar series last year focused on men working in industries like fishing, mining, creameries, turf and sugar beat. This new series will focus on women’s work in factories, shops, offices and at home.

RTE wish to get in contact with women with rural backgrounds who might have worked in the following areas at some point in their lives:

-domestic: housekeepers and nannies
-factories
-drapery/grocery stores, postmistresses
-office work, civil service, telephone exchange
-laundries, cleaners
-working from home - knitting, lace, dressmaking, poultry, farming

Do you know of any interesting women in the local area who have stories to tell about their working lives? RTE would love to talk to them. If you have any suggestions please email meallafahey@lismoreheritage.ie and we will pass them along to the show's producers.

On Yer Bike: Lismore Cycling Holidays

A new company- Lismore Cycling Holidays -wants to help organise your cycling holiday to the Sunny South East. With dates, duration, routes and pace all dictated by you Lismore Cycling will help arrange the holiday of a lifetime.

If you have your holiday or day trip planned and all you are missing is the bike then Lismore Cycling Holidays is also the place for you; bike hire can be arranged for at daily or weekly rates.

Mealla Fahey of Lismore Heritage Centre describes Lismore Cycling Holidays as a great new initiative. "We welcome every venture that can enhance the experience of tourists visiting the area and any enterprise that brings more visitors to the region. We wish them the best of luck"

To find out more about Lismore Cycling Holidays visit their website http://www.cyclingholidays.ie/ or find them on Facebook.

TG4 Documentary: The Waterford and Lismore Railway

"Boithre Iarainn" is a six part series currently airing on TG4 on Sunday evenings. The documentary series chronicles the history of Ireland's railways. On Sunday 16th January the programme will feature the Waterford & Lismore Railway.

Described as "one of the most scenic routes in the country" the railway will be fondly remembered by many. Sunday's programme will feature stories from the War of Independence and Civil War era such as the blowing up of the Ballyvoile Viaduct and the Durrow Ambush. Archive photographs kindly supplied by Waterford County Museum will also be of great sentimental and historical interest to many viewers.

Sunday's episode may have been of special significance to the series producers; Nemeton Television- "the largest independent producer of television hours in Ireland"-is based in An Rinn Gaeltacht just outside Dungarvan.

"Boithre Iarainn" will be shown on TG4 on Sunday 16th January at 8.15p.m.

Waterford County Museum Lecture Series

The first County Museum Talk of 2011 will take place on Wednesday 19th January. Museum curator, William Fraher, will present "The Bad Times: The War of Independence/Civil War & The Big House in Co. Waterford."

William has carried out in depth research in this area and believes it is very interesting to look at the topic from an Anglo-Irish standpoint. It is certain to be a fascinating talk with new insights drawn from recently unearthed documents. "The Big House(s)"of the title include Mount Congreve, Curraghmore, Gardenmorris and Lismore Castle among others.

The talk is open to all and will be held in the Town Theatre, St. Augustine St, Dungarvan at 8.00pm.

Upcoming talks in the lecture programme include:
Aspects of Co Waterford's Heritage by Bernadette Guest on 16th February at 8pm and Ballynatray House and Garden by Neil Porteous on 23rd March at 8pm.

Waterford County Museum is open Monday-Friday 10.00am-5.00pm. For further information please call 058-45960.

Waterford Scientists Preliminary Studies by Donald Brady Now Available from The Craft Shop

"Waterford Scientists Preliminary Studies" by Donald Brady is now available from The Craft Shop at Lismore Heritage Centre.

The remarkable and little known story of County Waterford’s scientists includes the only Irish recipient of the Nobel Prize for Science, the optician who helped to build the Birr telescope and the Earl’s son whose name is enshrined in chemistry textbooks across the world.

Donald Brady served as Waterford County Librarian for almost twenty eight years. Devoted to the preservation and collation of the historical resources of the county Mr. Brady has brought a selection of his wide studies to print in recent years. Lismore Heritage Centre was honoured to host a lecture by Mr. Brady on his latest work as part of Science Week 2010 in November. At a very reasonably priced €10.00 "Waterford Scientists" makes wonderful reading for both scientists and historians.

The Molly Keane Creative Writing Award

Waterford County Council’s Arts Office is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting entries for the Molly Keane Memorial Creative Writing Award.

The late writer lived, until her death in 1996, in Ardmore, Co. Waterford. Her first ten novels and four plays were published under the pseudonym M.J. Farrell. In 1981 ‘Good Behaviour’ became a publishing sensation for which she was short listed for the prestigious Booker Prize.

To celebrate this rich literary life, the County Waterford Arts Office, by kind permission of the Keane family, is inviting entries for a previously unpublished short story to a maximum of 2000 words. There is no entry fee, no age limit and no restriction on the subject matter.

A prize of €500 will be awarded to the winner at a special ceremony during the IMMRAMA Literary Festival in Lismore, Co. Waterford in June 2011.

The closing date for receipt of entries is 5pm on Thursday 24th March 2011.

Change in Opening Hours

Lismore Heritage Centre will be closed Saturdays and Sundays throughout the months of January and February.

The Centre will be open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.30pm daily.

Brendan Grace at Cappoquin Community Centre

Brendan Grace will appear at Cappoquin Community Centre on Friday 28th January 2011.

Brendan Grace’s latest show is a mix of brand new material and some old favourites, drawn from a repertoire that spans back almost four decades. Described as “the greatest family comedian of our generation” it is not just Brendan himself who is a household name but also his characters- the legendary Bottler and the drinking, smoking, troublemaking Father Fintan Stack of Father Ted fame. A favourite on the Irish theatre and hotel circuit tickets for Brendan’s shows are always in demand and early booking is advised.

The show begins at 8.00pm. Tickets, priced €30.00, are available from Cappoquin Community Centre on 058-52746 or from ticketmaster.ie