Fit for a king: Lismore’s line up for the Waterford Festival of Food

Learn to prepare a meal fit for a king- or at least a lord- in the kitchens of Lismore Castle as part of the extended Lismore Festival of Food programme for 2012. A select group of participants will enjoy a private tour of Lismore Castle’s kitchen garden followed by a demonstration by the castle chef on Saturday 14th April. To take advantage of this exclusive opportunity call 058-54061 or email rsvp@lismorecastlearts.ie . Places cost €60 and include tastings, recipes and a goody bag!




Depart the castle in time to catch a talk on food foraging at O’Brien Chop House at 4.30pm. Renowned local forager Andrew Malcolm will share his secrets over a lunch of gathered delights and a glass of wine. Tickets, €25, are available from the Chop House on 058-53810.



Lismore Farmers Market will hold an extended Saturday market on the 14th with stallholders setting up shop from 9am. Sonas, the junior musicians from the acclaimed Booley House show, will provide musical accompaniment against the beautiful backdrop of Castle Avenue.



One of the most popular events of Lismore’s Festival of Food- the Children’s Cookie Baking Workshop- makes a welcome return on Saturday morning (14th April). Catherine Toomey, ably assisted by the students of Blackwater Community School, will gather her troupe of junior master chefs for an hour of mixing, making and baking with delicious results! For tickets (€5) and further information contact Lismore Heritage Centre on 058-54975.



The Waterford Festival of Food, Lismore committee thank Lismore Mochuda Development Company, Lismore Farmers Market, Lord and Lady Burlington, Lismore Estates and Lismore Heritage Company for their assistance and support in preparing this April’s events.

Easter Frolics at Lismore Heritage Centre

Bounce into the Easter holidays with 4 fun filled days of camp at Lismore Heritage Centre. Craft your very own piñata to bring home, make and race a Smarties car, build a bird that can tell the weather and enjoy lots more art-y, science-y games and activities.


Easter Camp will be held Monday 2nd-Thusday 5th April 2012. Camp starts at 10am each morning and ends at 2pm. Children can come along for 1 day, 4 days or anything in between! Each day at camp costs €15 and a 4 day week is available at a very special price of €50.

Campers need to bring a healthy packed lunch and drink to keep their energy up. We ask everyone to come along in old clothes because we will be far too busy having fun to keep clean!
Easter Camp usually fills up fast so early booking is advised; call Arlene on 058-54975 or email Akenny@lismoreheritage.ie

Lismore features on TG4’s G Team this Sunday

The West Waterford town of Lismore will feature on next Sunday nights one hour programme of the Irish Language competition AN GTEAM on TG4. Lismore are going head to head with 12 towns across the country in a challenge to win the title of Ireland’s top Irish speaking town in this brand new competition being hosted and filmed by TG4.

Beidh Baile na Leasa Mhóir leirithe ar chlár teilfis AN GTEAM ar TG4 oíche Dé Domhnaigh seo chugainn . Tá Lios Mór ag dul ceann ar ceann le 12 bailte ar fud na tíre i dúshlán chun bhuaigh an teideal”An bhaile labhartha Gaeilge is fearr in Éireann taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht”


Lismore qualified for ‘AN GTEAM’ TG4’s new 10 part series where non-Gaeltacht communities are competing against each other for the opportunity to call themselves GTEAM champions 2011 and win a €40,000 Foras na Gaeilge prize to use to promote their local area.

In their bid for victory, Lismore hosted G -Day (Gaeilge Day) on Wednesday, September 7th last when the TG4 cameras rolled into town to capture a cúpla focal being spoken on the streets of Lios Mór.

I dtairiscint le haghaidh bua, dhein Lios Mór óstáil ar Lá Gaeilge ar an Chéadaoin, 7 lá Meán Fómhair seo caite nuair a thainig ceamaraí TG4 go dtí an bhaile a ghabháil le cúpla focal Gaeilge a chloisint ar shráideanna na Lios Mór.

A carnival atmosphere greeted the camera crew with a host of free entertainment on offer throughout the day. Following the Official Launch on the Castle Avenue, the judges set out to visit the day’s events which included theLismore Farmers Market, an ecumenical service in the Church of Ireland Cathedral, Iománaíocht agus Peil le “Dan”,in Bunscoil Bóthar na Naomh and Fun in the Millennium Park. The afternoon events included Comhrá, spraoi agus amhránaíocht leis na daltaí I bPobal Scoil na hAbhann Móire, a Historical Walking Trail from the Workhouse to the Forge, Amhráníocht i dTeach Charthach Naofa, a recital by the Lismore Choir in St, Carthage’s Home. Lismore’s G-Day concluded with a Gala Evening that included a performance of ballroom dancing in the Main Street and a fashion show. The competition is all about communities making an effort to improve their language skills.

Following on from the G-Day, the judges which included former Minister Mary Hanafin and Glór na Gael’s Lorcan Mac Gabhann retired to the boardroom where our spokesperson James Lenane went head to head with his counterpart from Milford Co. Donegal in the interview stage of the competition.

Will Lismore make it to the next stage of the competition? Tune in on Sunday night at 8.00pm when the result will be announced.

Bigí Linn

Angelina Ballerina Dance Academy Expands to Lismore

Angelina Ballerina Dance Academy has arrived in West Waterford. The unique dance experience for children aged 3 to 6 is based on the stories of the international animated sensation, Angelina Ballerina, launches on Saturday, February 25th in the town of Lismore.



The first of its kind in Waterford county, the Angelina Ballerina Dance Academy allows children as young as three to develop their musicality, imagination and motor skills in classes that follow and bring to life the adventures of Angelina Ballerina, a remarkable mouseling who has taken the world one pirouette at a time with her determination and unquenchable zest for fun.



The fastest growing dance teaching partnership in the UK and Ireland, Angelina Ballerina Dance Academy is an innovative dance programme designed by professionals in the fields of dance and early childhood education that is revolutionizing the way dance is taught to young children.



The half-hour classes not only introduce children to the early movements in ballet, jazz and musical theatre, they also focus on socialization skills, positive values and classroom behaviours through the carefully crafted stories of Angelina Ballerina and her friends. Backed by the success of the hit animation TV series and the books by Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig, this new business venture is making the world of fantasy a reality for young children.



“We are excited to be launching this unique dance programme in West Waterford this February because it will introduce a new generation of youngsters to dance” says Academy teacher Amanda Duke. “We hope to inspire young children to learn and grow through the fully interactive world and positive values of Angelina Ballerina.”



For more information on classes, see www.angelinaballerinadance.com

St Declan's Way - Ardfinnan to Ardmore

If you fancy a weekend of walking, history, comraderie not to mention good food, music and drinks, then "St. Declans Way" Ardfinnan to Ardmore is ideal for you. This event takes place over 3 days commencing at Main Street, Ardfinnan at 9.30am on St. Patricks Day.

Day 1 brings the traveller to Lismore with a visit to the Heritage Centre and a talk at 'Lady's Abbey'. Accomodation and dinner is provided by Lismore Hotel for Saturday and Sunday night.

Day 2 commences with a visit to Lismore Farmers Market and a talk at St. Carthages Cathedral, Lismore and then a 20km walk to Aglish. You will be bussed back to Lismore for a well earned dinner  in the hotel and a traditional music session at the local pub.

Day 3 - Aglish to Ardmore with dinner that night in 'The Hermitage' Clogheen.

If you survive the weekend you'll have walked a total of 64km, not bad for a Paddies weekend!

The cost is €145 pp to include transport, B&B, 2 dinners at Lismore Hotel 058 72966 (Please book direct)

Please contact Kevin O Donnell on 086 3541700  or Martha Beardmore on 087 9107201 for further information

Two By One in the Courthouse Theatre

Announcing an exciting and moving night of theatre entitled “Two By One”. Thieving Magpie Theatre Co. (Cork) and New Heritage Theatre Group (Kilkenny) will bring their award-winning One Act productions to the Courthouse on February 3rd and 4th.

Fresh from winning Best Writer, Director, Actress and Design at Cork Writer’s Week, Jan O’Sullivan, Irene Kelleher and Judy Donovan will perform “Fishtail” by Jennifer Williams, directed by Sarah O’Dwyer. John Stack and Paula Drohan will perform “Pictures” which took two first places on the One Act circuit in November. The play is written by John himself and directed by Brendan Drohan.


“Fishtail”takes us on a moving journey through fantasy and reality, in a complicated relationship between Serena and her mother Alice. Both women share their deepest thoughts and wishes in a gripping piece of new writing. The Cork Examiner described the play as “imaginative”, ”chilling” and “compelling”.

“Pictures” is a witty, fast-paced portrayal of central character Brian’s journey through life, love and tragedy. Through a series of snapshots taken in time, the play depicts the fragility of our ties to loved ones. Biddy White Lennon (actress and director) referred to the piece as “tautly written”, “well constructed”…”utterly brilliant”.

Two By One is a production not to be missed. Courthouse Theatre Feb 3rd and 4th. Bookings at Cahills 058 53992 daily or on 086 8938373 (6-9pm).

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.