May Bank Holiday Opening Hours

Lismore Heritage Centre is open this May Bank Holiday Weekend.

Saturday: 10.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday: 12.00pm - 5.00pm
Monday: 11.00am - 5.00pm

Visit the Craft Shop, see The Lismore Experience or purchase your special discounted ticket to visit the Heritage Centre, Lismore Castle Gardens and Lismore Castle Arts for just 10.00 euro.

"Travels- Exploration and Endurance": Immrama 2010

"The world's greatest living adventurer","one of the hundred visionaries worldwide who could change your life" and the reporter who had one of the scoops of the century when they announced that the summit of Mount Everest had been conquered for the first time: these are some of the amazing speakers who will come to Lismore this June for the eighth annual Immrama Festival of Travel Writing.

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The title of world's greatest living adventurer was conferred on Sir Ranulf Fiennes by the Guinness Book of Records. Having been the first person to cross Antartica by foot, to reach the North and South Poles by surface means and then in 'retirement' to become the oldest Briton to scale Mount Everest we are sure Sir Ranuph will deal comfortably with the crowds who will flock to see him on Saturday 12th June at 3.00pm.

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Tim Severin will follow in Fiennes' footsteps and take to the stage of Blackwater Community School at 8.00pm on Saturday night. It will be a far cry from the other arduous footsteps in which he has ventured. In 1960, as a student, Severin attempted to trace Marco Polo's path on motorcycle. Since then he has taken to the water and recreated the legendary ocean voyages of Sinbad and St. Brendan and gone in search of Genghis Khan, Moby Dick and Robinson Crusoe.

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The Utne Reader, an American bi-monthly, named Pico Iyer as one of the 100 visionaries who could change your life. When not producing books such as the lauded Video Night in Katmandu Pico writes for The New York Review of Books, The Financial Times, National Geographic and The New York Times- as well as composing the liner-notes for Leonard Cohen albums, the accompaniment to a chamber orchestra and a film script or two. Pico will speak on Friday 11th June in the Courthouse Theatre.

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The news that Hillary and Tenzing had scaled Mount Everest reached England and the rest of the world courtesy of Jan Morris. Avowedly Welsh Jan is best known for her city portraits of Venice, Oxford, New York and Hong Kong and for the epic Pax Britannica, a history of the British empire. Jan will close Immrama 2010 speaking on Sunday evening at 6.30pm in the exclusive setting of Fort William House.

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Paul Clements returns to Lismore in June to hold the Creative Writing Workshop- "Writing A Travel Memoir". Damien Lewis will host the Sunday morning literary breakfast while on Saturday morning Mr Donald Brady will give a lecture on "The Boyle Women."

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There are also poetry workshops, poetry reading, film screenings, art exhibitions, open gardens, Farmers' Markets and open-mic sessions in what promises to be a hugely exciting weekend.

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Congratulations to Mary Houlihan and the Immrama festival committee on this year's fantastic line up- it's little wonder that there were gasps of surprise and delight as the programme was revealed in Lismore Castle yesterday evening.

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For a full programme including times and prices please visit http://www.lismoreimmrama.com/

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Tickets can now be booked from Lismore Heritage Centre at 058-54975 or from the festival administrator on 058-53365.

Immrama: Looking Back and Looking Forward

The programme for the 2010 Immrama Festival will be unveiled tomorrow evening, 28th April. The announcement of each year's line-up is an eagerly anticipated event, made all the more special because every speaker and event is kept a closely guarded secret until the official launch.
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Immrama is a travel writing festival. Each year, in the second weekend in June, the small town of Lismore comes alive with incredible stories drawn, in the past, from such disparate settings as Africa and the Silk Road, the world's war zones and its highest peaks. Internationally renowned writers and household names such as Michael Palin, Robert Fisk and Jung Chang have relived their epic journeys and experiences to captivated crowds.
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The 2009 festival was a wonderful event. Patrons flocked to hear keynote speakers Kate Adie, former BBC Chief News Correspondent and Ireland’s own Fergal Keane . Rory Maclean, Manchán Magan, Catherine deCourcy and Dermot Somers all brought their remarkable odysseys to life. Writing workshops, school events and a family afternoon in the Millennium Park are just some of the events that have come to traditionally accompany the festival not to mention fringe events such as Lismore Farmers' Market.

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The 2010 festival will take place 10th-13th June.
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For details of the programme (once revealed!) keep a watchful eye on local newspapers or the festival website: http://www.lismoreimmrama.com/

Blackwater Community School Presents BCS Factor

On Thursday 29th April Blackwater Community School will host a showcase of musical talent from local schools.
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BCS Factor begins at 1pm. Tickets cost €5 and if the rehearsals we recently overheard are anything to go by it should be well worth it!

Summer Pilates Classes in Lismore Heritage Centre

A seven week pilates course will be conducted in the Heritage Centre this summer.
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Pilates is a gentle form of exercise suitable for men and women of all ages and fitness levels. Its many benefits include improved posture and flexibility. Pilates also promotes weight loss and can alleviate persistent aches and pains.
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The Tuesday night classes commence on June 15th and continue until 26th July. The hour long classes (8.00-9.00pm) will be run by Monica Murphy a certified and insured Scott Instructor.
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The €100.00 fee is payable on the first night.
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If you are interested please contact Monica Murphy on 086-6012479 or email monicapmurphy@gmail.com. Monica is also available for one to one consultations with private clients.

A Thing is a Hole in a Thing it is Not: the Castle Arts Exhibition for 2010

Dublin-born Gerald Byrne, acclaimed as being one of the most critically important artists of his generation, brings his new solo show to Lismore this summer. From 24th April - 30th September A Thing is a Hole in a Thing it is Not will be open to the public from 11am-4.45pm daily.

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In the most basic sense the exhibition consists of four separate films shown parallel to one another. A night-time journey through New Jersey, a radio interview, a New York theatre and a museum installation provide the settings or background for the artist's exploration of Minimalism.

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The Heritage Centre is moving closer to modern art - in the physical sense at least-as the old St. Carthage's Church Hall, located just to the rear of the Centre, serves as Castle Arts' new off-site project space. There, visitors can view the second element of the exhibition- Untitled Acting Exercise (in the third person) the work commissioned from Byrne by the 2008 Sydney Biennale.

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Followers of Byrne and connoisseurs of modern art are sure to appreciate the opportunity to visit his works here in the south east- we should not underestimate the privilege; Byrne's other most recent solo shows were in Boston, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Dusseldorf. To the uninitiated the exhibition may be literally eye-opening. The films could almost be said to lure in their watchers with the startling clarity of image, vivid details and the emerging connection between the, at first, apparently disparate scenes.

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For further details on the exhibition and the accompanying events which include a talk between Byrne and the exhibition's curator, Mike Fitzpatrick, on June 12th please contact Lismore Castle Arts on 058-54061 / info@lismorecastlearts.ie or visit http://www.lismorecastlearts.ie/

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Scallywags Golf Fundraiser

Scallywags, Lismore's community childcare centre, is looking for all you golfers out there!
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On Friday 28th May they will host a 3 ball better ball tournament at Lismore Golf Club. Anyone interested in entering a team should contact Amanda Power on 086-8391657.
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Cost of entry is €20 per person or €60 per team.
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All proceeds go to Scallywags, a not for profit organisation that provides an invaluable service to the town.
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Come along, play some golf and help raise some funds.

Carmen for the Inaugural Lismore Music Festival

The inaugural Lismore Music Festival will offer a unique and wonderful experience to Irish music lovers this June.
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A talented cast of Irish and international performers will bring Bizet's operá comique to life in the grounds of Lismore Castle. The popular tale of the beautiful Gypsy with a fiery temper has enthralled audiences worldwide since it was first performed in 1875. The story of mutiny, smugglers and bullfighting will be played out among the transformed upper stables of the castle grounds on 5th and 6th June. In keeping with the Spanish setting of the opera patrons are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy some tapas and paella with a glass of wine.
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For tickets and more information please visit www.lismoremusicfestival.com or call 058-52769.

A Scrumptious Success: Kids' Cookie Baking Workshop

Forty young bakers donned their aprons bright and early on Saturday 17th April to get the Lismore leg of the Waterford Festival of Food off to a flying start.

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Boys and girls aged from six to thirteen bonded over a mutual love of baking...and chocolate! The industrious youngsters beat, mixed and stirred their way to a batch of warm chocolate chip cookies that smelled simply too good to resist!

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Many thanks to Catherine Twomey who again gave of her time and expertise to run the two fully booked workshops. Catherine was ably assisted by some of her hard-working second year pupils: Megan Barry, Sinead Walsh and Cathy Twomey. Blackwater Community School kindly lent their home economics kitchens as a perfect venue for the morning's activity.

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We are also very grateful to our local supermarkets. Wille Roche's Centra, the Wine Vaults, Keniry's of Tallow and Kelleher's of Cappoquin happily furnished the rookie chefs with all their ingredients.

Action Packed Weekend in Lismore: April 17th&18th

The Lismore leg of the 2010 Waterford Festival of Food will celebrate all the best of local produce and culinary talent on Saturday 17th April. A special extended Lismore Farmers' Market will set its stall (literally!) in Castle Avenue from 10.00am-16.00pm. Chefs Paul Deevey of Richmond House, Justin Greene of the O'Brien Chop House, Joe Willoughby of Ballyrafter House Hotel and Noel and Annmarie Costello of The Brideview Bar & Restaurant will serve up lunch al fresco in A Taste of West Waterford. Also expected are O'Flynn's Gourmet Sausage Company, Tipperary Organic Ice Cream, Meadowfresh and many, many others.
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Madrigal '75 will perform in St. Carthage's Cathedral at 17.00pm on Saturday 17th April 2010. A 60 minute performance is planned by the small, expert vocal ensemble that. Madrigal '75 sing all forms of music from the ancient to the classical and modern. The choir comprises a diverse combination of singers from all walks of life who together have garnered many accolades: 'Best Choir' at the Montreux Festival, several 'Best Performances' and First Prize awards at successive Cork International Choral Festivals and the 'Irish Choir of the Year'. Tickets priced €10.00 are available at the door.

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Lismore Castle Arts will host a preview of Sotheby's Irish Sale from 10.00am-18.00pm on Saturday 17th April and from 10.00am-14.30pm.

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Lismore Heritage Centre will be open from 10.00am-17.00pm this Saturday. Lismore Castle Gardens will be open 11.00am-16.45pm Saturday and Sunday. Visitors wishing to see both of Lismore's top attractions should avail of the special discounted joint ticket presently on offer (€10.00 for adults). Discount tickets are available from the ticket desks of both the Heritage Centre and Castle Gardens.

Ballyin Gardens Open for 2010

Ballyin Gardens, Lismore are now open for their 2010 season.

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Located just upstream from Lismore Castle on sloping riverside grounds Ballyin Gardens date from the early 18th century. The gardens feature an extensive array of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. These, along with Ballyin's collection of mature trees can be enjoyed from the pathways laid out by Lady Edith Gordon in the 1920s and 1930s.

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Many of the garden's notable trees are of North American origin and were planted by the Very Rev. Dean Scott, Dean of Lismore Cathedral in the nineteenth century who had his seat at Ballyin. The trees include the Monterey Cedar which has the largest girth of any tree in County Waterford.

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The gardens will remain open until 30th June. The garden's daily opening hours are Tuesday-Friday 9.00-13.00 and weekends 10.00-17.00. Ballyin Gardens are closed Mondays excluding Bank Holidays.

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After June visits are by appointment only. To arrange please call 058-54608.

Waterford Festival of Food 2010: Dungarvan All Set to Get Cooking!

The wait is almost over: the 2010 Waterford Festival of Food is ready and waiting to go!

Events begin at 5 o’clock this evening (Friday 16th April 2010) with the Opening Ceremony in the Dungarvan Shopping Centre Plaza. This year’s very special mascot will be unveiled and everyone is welcome to come along.

Festival organizers can be proud of the exciting and creative programme of events lined up for the weekend. Festival patrons will have their imaginations piqued by a Druid Chef, Crude Food, “Senoir, Samurai and Moor” themed trails, seaweed seminars and Craft Beer tastings. All that before you even consider the celebrity chefs who are flocking to Dungarvan: Neven Maguire, Derry Clarke and Catherine Fulvio will join Paul Flynn, Eunice Power, Conor Foran and Shane McGrath on their home turf. Tickets are available on 058-21104 until 4.30pm this evening. A weekend festival office will operate on the corner of Mary St and O’Connell Street in Dungarvan from 7.00-9.00pm Friday 16th April and 11.00am-4.00pm on Saturday 17th April.

Lots of fun free events are also planned. For the kids there is a mobile farm at King John’s Castle, story-telling and the chance to explore the life of a honey bee. For the grown-ups Glanbia and the National Dairy Council will hold a nutrition and diet seminar while historian John Young will conduct a guided walking tour of Dungarvan’s food heritage sites. The whole family can enjoy the Picnic in the Park with music marquee and Fun Food Olympics on Saturday while Sunday will be dedicated to the Farmers’ & Country Market with its now famous hog roast.

Exact times, dates and locations for these events and others are available from
http://www.welcomewaterford.ie/festivaloffood2010/

Check it out and go enjoy what is sure to be a fantastic Festival of Food weekend!

Congratulations to the Free School Tour Winner 2010: Kilanerin National School

Kilanerin National School in County Wexford is the winner of a free school tour to Lismore Heritage Centre for 2010.
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Back in January brochures for The Lismore School Tour Experience were sent to schools all over Ireland. To be entered in a draw to win a free school tour for their class all teachers had to do was ring to enquire about our great primary school programme.
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The prize-winners will enjoy the full school tour package on offer from the Heritage Centre: a trek around the magical Towers Woodland Trail, a trip to the Robert Boyle Science Room, a visit to our cinema and to the ancient St. Carthage's Cathedral and a chance to design and decorate their very own keepsake glove puppets.

School tours at the Heritage Centre are tailored to suit all ages and abilities. Visiting classes are welcome to pick whatever parts of the programme suit their needs and to enjoy the beautiful public park and playground at the heart of the town. School tour places are still available for May/June 2010 and anyone interested should contact Alice on 058-54975 or at adonoghue@lismoreheritage.ie .

Congratulations again to Kilanerin: we look forward to welcoming you to Lismore.

Countdown to Cookie Baking

There are only four days to go to the Kids' Cookie Baking Workshops in Lismore!

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These workshops are being held in Blackwater Community School as part of the West Waterford branch of the Festival of Food on Saturday 17th April. Two sixty minute sessions will see young chefs from the area stirring up a storm and producing some tasty treats to take home. The 11 o'clock session is now completely sold out but there are still a (very!) small number of tickets available for the 10 0'clock workshop.

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Cookie Baking tickets are available from the Heritage Centre on 058-54975.

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Don't despair if you can't get any tickets though- there's lots to see and do all over the Festival of Food weekend. In Lismore, also on Saturday, the local chefs will be serving up lunch in Castle Avenue as A Taste of West Waterford takes over at Lismore Farmers' Market.

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A huge and exciting programme of events is planned for the Waterford Festival Food proper in Dungarvan from this Friday 16th April until Sunday 18th April 2010. Visit http://www.welcomewaterford.ie/festivaloffood2010/ for details.

Cappagh Lakes Open Evening A Great Success

On Friday 9th April Cappagh Lakes celebrated their first anniversary with a very successful open evening. Glorious sunshine, the beautiful setting, expert demonstrations and delicious food provided by Powersfield House, Dungarvan combined to make a memorable event .

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Cappagh Lakes provide fly and bait angling experiences for adults and children their natural spring-fed lakes which are regularly stocked with rainbow and brown trout.

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Bookings can be made through John 087-9745671 or Anne 087-9770630.

Free This Friday? Visit the Open Evening at Cappagh Lakes

John and Anne Power are celebrating their first year in business by inviting everyone to a free open evening at Cappagh Lakes from 5-8pm this Friday 9th April 2010.

Andrew Ryan and Jason O’Brien of Clonanav fly-fishing centre will give a fly casting demonstration and lend the benefit of their expertise to anglers of all ages and abilities. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome.

Cappagh Lakes, located on the N25 Cappoquin-Dungarvan Road, are natural, spring-fed trout fishing lakes that offer excellent fly and bait angling opportunities in a beautiful environment. With deer, otters, mallards and hawks regularly sighted by those fishing it is little wonder that the prominent Irish angler Michael Drinan has described them as the “most natural fishing lakes in Ireland.”

The lakes are open year round and cater for groups and individuals. Bookings and enquiries can be made to John 087-9745671 or Anne 087-9770630 or by email to cappaghlakes@gmail.com.

C is for… Cookie Baking Workshop

Do you have an amateur chef about the house?
Then we have the perfect Saturday morning for you!

Aspiring young bakers can roll up their sleeves on Saturday 17th April as part of the West Waterford branch of the 2010 Festival of Food. Last year’s hugely popular Cookie Baking Workshop returns for more mouth-watering treat making.

Cookie Baking Workshops are designed for primary school pupils. Two workshops will be held: the first from 10-11am and the second from 11am-12pm. Sixty minutes of good old fashioned stirring, sifting and most importantly sampling will take place under the experienced eye of Catherine Twomey and her Transition Year pupils. The perfectly equipped kitchens of Blackwater Community School are kindly lent to the Festival for the morning.

The whole family can then look forward to a wonderful afternoon as a special Lismore Farmers’ Market convenes on Castle Avenue. Local chefs will serve lunch to the crowds in A Taste of West Waterford and a huge array of local produce will be on sale to further tempt your taste buds.

Cookie Baking tickets cost just €5 and are available from Lismore Heritage Centre on 058-54975.

Beware: places are strictly limited and are likely to disappear…almost as quickly as the cookies!

Easter Opening Hours

The Heritage Centre will be closed on Good Friday, 2nd April.

We will be open Easter Saturday (10.00am-17.00pm), Easter Sunday (12.00-17.00pm) and Easter Monday (11.00am-17.00pm).

Happy Easter to all our customers!