Lismore Heritage Centre is currently offering free guided tours all week as part of Heritage Week 22nd to 30th of August 2009. It provides locals and visitors alike with a splendid opportunity to delve into the richly embroidered landscapes of Lismore's past and hopefully to soak up the last of the summer sunshine! Our experienced and friendly guides are armed with a pletora of information and will strive to make the tour as enjoyable as possible.

Pictured are two of our guides ready for action!!

Huge Booley House Demand

As predicted demand for the last performance of The Booley House for 2009 is incredibly high.

The Heritage Centre is no longer taking bookings. Those who wish to add their names to a waiting list should contact 058-60456.

Wedding Bells

Wedding Bells are chiming in the Courthouse!

The Heritage Centre is fortunate enough to be housed in Lismore Courthouse; an impressive, historical building located in a prominent position at the heart of this beautiful West Waterford town.

Since the Civil Registration Act, 2004 made it possible for civil marriages to be held at venues other than Registry Offices Lismore Heritage Company has been pleased to offer the Courthouse as a unique civil wedding venue.

Extensive refurbishment and upgrading carried out on the building in recent years transformed the Courthouse into a state of the art theatre and event space. The Courtroom now boasts a balcony, stage lighting, rigging and sound systems and seating with the capacity to hold almost a hundred guests. This modernized space is housed behind a finely wrought façade that retains the austere character becoming its original incarnation. The protected status of the building ensures the preservation of features such as the clock tower and picture window that comprise the beautiful and imposing entrance that provides unique photo opportunities for emerging newlyweds

If you are interested in knowing more about Lismore Courthouse as a wedding venue please do not hesitate to contact:

Mealla Fahey Tel: (058) 54975 Email: info@lismoreheritage.ie

Ardmore Now and Then

Ardmore Now and Then is a labour of love.

Written, produced, directed and narrated by Tony Gallagher the DVD pays homage to Ardmore past and present. Rolling seascapes provide the backdrop to an account of the history of the “Great Height” since Saint Declan’s arrival in 416AD. Personalities, traditions and customs are all featured in the highly informative, affectionate portrait of the town.

The DVD was launched to great acclaim from the huge crowd in attendance at the Village Hall, Ardmore on Tuesday 18th August.

The Heritage Centre wishes to congratulate Tony and complement him on his opus.

Ardmore Now and Then is on sale in the Heritage Centre Craft Shop. The DVD retails at €20.

Night Out at The Booley House

Last night the Heritage Centre staff was treated to the extravaganza that is The Booley House.

The hugely popular show, staged in Ballyduff Upper, features traditional Irish music, dance, song and storytelling all courtesy of talented locals. The concerts have been a runaway success since they were first staged in 1991. Crowds from far and near come to clap along, sing along and to sit back in delight.

The spectacle runs for a hugely enjoyable ninety minutes kicking off at 8.15pm though you are invited to come along early to enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and home baking…as we did!

The Booley House runs every Wednesday night throughout July and August. Wednesday next, 26th August is the final show in the current run. Anyone interested in attending is urged to book early as demand is already high.

Tickets for The Booley House are available from the Heritage Centre 058-54975 or 058-60456

Working Together

Tourism is one of Lismore Heritage Centre’s raisons d’être. We are proud to work closely with the many businesses that cater for visitors to the locality.

The Centre wishes to be of service to anyone involved in the tourist trade in this beautiful part of the world. We hope that Life in Lismore will help others become more aware of what we do but we will also let others know what you do.

To keep track of our exploits you can follow the example of the folks at Glenribbeen and become a follower of our blog. Glenribbeen Eco Lodge Bed and Breakfast is located between Lismore and Cappoquin and featured in RTE’s “At Your Service”.

Life in Lismore is all about what is great and good in our area! If you are planning any events or have anything special going on let us know. Email akenny@lismoreheritage.ie and we’ll be pleased to help to spread the word!

Heritage Week 22nd – 30th August 2009: Be part of it, it’s part of you

With over 1000 free events taking place across the country Heritage Week is a fantastic opportunity for us all to open our eyes to the wealth of natural and cultural heritage that surrounds us.

Lismore Heritage Centre will again proudly play its part, offering free guided tours of the town. Tours will be available at 11am and 3 pm daily from Saturday 22nd – Sunday 30th August.

A town tour will see one of our experienced guides lead you around the picturesque heritage town. Tour groups will pass points of interest such as the courthouse, church and park. They will visit St Carthage’s Cathedral with its celebrated stained glass window, tombs and monuments. As you stroll along hear tales of treasure hidden in the castle walls, Hollywood stars who sipped Guinness in the towns’ bars and adventurers who charmed the Queen of England. Any visitor to the Centre from near or far is welcome to participate.

We look forward to seeing you!

Wheeling Towards Lismore!

Stage One of the ninth Tour de Munster got underway today Thursday 13th August. A team of leisure cyclists are embarking on a gruelling 600km cycle all in the name of charity.

Stage One began in Cork and since no tour of Munster could be complete without a visit to Lismore the group will pass through the town before they commence the climb into the Knockmealdowns towards The Vee and Clogheen.

This flying visit by the Tour de Munster serves as the perfect prelude to the Tour of Ireland cycle which will pass through Lismore on Saturday 22nd August. The Tour, which runs 21st-23rd August, will feature 112 top cyclists including Lance Armstrong and Mark Cavendish.

Lismore is part of Stage Two of the Tour; a 196km trip from Clonmel to Killarney. The leg kicks off in Clonmel at 10.00am. Cyclists are expected at The Vee at 10.35am and in Lismore at 11.02am.

The Tour received a great welcome when it passed through Lismore last year and everyone is again urged to come out and cheer on the participants.

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Shakespeare, Singing & Splendid Setting!

What do you get when you mix Shakespeare with 1930s high society, show tunes, swing dancing and a healthy dose of priceless comedy?

Why, the latest Off the Ground production of course!

The charming courtyard of Lismore Castle provided the fairytale setting for an animated presentation of the Bard’s Much Ado About Nothing on Monday 10th August.

As the “only love gods” plotted and frolicked on stage the weather gods smiled down and the evening remained mercifully dry. Patrons (including several Heritage Centre staff members!) settled down with picnics and glasses of wine to enjoy a superb evening’s entertainment*

Off the Ground is an English theatre group committed to youth drama and education work. The group is best known and loved in Ireland for its touring outdoor productions. The company brings their own lively interpretation of works such Le True Histoire de Cyrano de Bergerac and The Three Musketeers to stately homes and venues throughout the UK and Ireland. Their unique and often hilarious take on classic tales mean their visits to Lismore have become an annual pilgrimage for many.

When Off the Ground was founded in 1995 one of its basic aims was that their productions should be staffed by “people who wanted to be the best they possibly could while enjoying themselves.” This aspiration seems surpassed in Much Ado as the talented 18 strong troupe played their parts with infectious good humour. With everyone in jovial mood the show drew to a close though not before several audience members joined the cast for a final boogie onstage…though that was perhaps best left to the professionals!


The Off The Ground tour group remain in Ireland until 16th August with performances still to come in Carlow, Dublin, Wicklow and Down. More details are available on their website.

*No glasses of wine were consumed by Lismore Heritage Centre staff members...honestly

Welcome to Life in Lismore

Lismore Heritage Centre in located at the heart of the picture-perfect heritage town of Lismore in County Waterford, Ireland.

We hope our blog Life in Lismore will help make people aware of the many and varied functions of the Heritage Centre and of the range of attractions and amenities in the town and surrounding area.

For updates, news and accounts of our exploits watch this space!