Bruff Town/De Valera Country/Golden Vale

Bruff is a mystical Irish town situated in the beautiful Golden Vale & Lough Gur District.

The Morning Star river & waterfall meanders through the sleepy town & tranquil park. Although Bruff is a small country town it has superb restaurants & Irish pubs where you can mingle and converse freely with the hospitable locals.

The world famous archaeological site and visitor centre at Lough Gur is located only 2 miles from the house and is open from May to September from 10 am to 6 pm. The centre tells the story of the first arrivals of the Celts through interpretative panels and audio visual means, and guided tours are run once a week through song and story telling of the crannogs, church sites, megalithic tombs, stone circles and ring forts.

Bruff town is ideally located for day touring the South of Ireland with its great beauty, history and wealth of visitor attractions and entertainment.

Things To Do:

Day 1

Visit the magical Cliffs of Moher and visitor centre, take a trip out to the Aran islands or experience a visit to Bunratty medieval castle & folk park, where 19th century Irish life is vividly recreated in this top visitor attraction.

Day 2

Adare village is a step back in time, with its original thatched houses. The award wining Heritage centre reconstructs Adare unique past. Adares manor castle was home to the Irish Open Golf Tournament 2007/2008

From Adare travel to Foynes to the flying boat Museum, down the coast road to Tarbert using the ferry crossing, where at the mouth of the Shannon a unique experiences of dolphin watching can be enjoyed.

Day 3

A day trip to Killarney and the ring of Kerry is not to be forgotten with its spectalour scenery and varied mountains and lakes. Muckross House, gardens and traditional farm is certainly a stop on your tour of the ring of Kerry.

On a personal note any one who enjoys getting lost among boutiques and coffee shops, Killarney town is a haven.

Day 4

Just 8km outside Cork is Blarney Castle and Woollen Mills. Any one wishing for Eloquences leans over backward from the castles tower and kisses the Blarney stone, and you will never be lost for words again as the legend goes.

From Blarney loose your self among the windie streets of cork or continue on your quest of discovery with a trip to the Jameson experiences at the old Middleton Distillery or take the kids to Fota Wildlife Park and Cobh sea town port.

Day 5

It’s a long way to Tipperary, but not so from our home. The rock of Cashel is only 7 miles from Tipperary town and is one of Irelands top visitor attraction.

These are just some of the endless possibilities to do locally while you stay with us. On Saturday a trip to the Milk market to enjoy the modern tradition of the market with the varied and many stall is highly recommended. On Monday mornings, the Kilmallock livestock mart is an experience of sounds and smells with the transfer of cattle from farmer to another.

Back to top

Activities

Mountain Biking
The Ballyhoura mountain bike trails are the biggest trail network of its kind in Europe at 96km and provides loop trails for all cycling abilities. Part of the trail tracks were designed by the worlds leading trail designer Dafydd Davis combining the forest trails with newly built single trail tracks. The trail begins in Ardpatrick in east limerick and a full range of visitor services such as map boards, parking, showers, toilets and bike washing facilities are available.

Bike hire will also be available soon in a purpose built unit on site, and can currently be arranged with the lads at www.xct1.com

The Trails
Excellent maps and info at www.xct1.com or info@ballyhoura.org

Green or Greenwood trail is 6 km long and will take about 30-60mins on your ability and extremely scenic trail.

Brown or Mount Russell trail is 17km long and will take about 1.5 -2.5 hours due to its more technical and physically demanding trail of climbing and descending.

White or Garrane trail is 35km long and will take approx 2.5-4.5 hours with some long, fast demanding climbs and decent, with some of the single tracks too.

Blue or Steamhill trail is 41km long and will take 3.5- 5.5 hours and builds on the Garrane trail with longer trails.

Red or Castlepook trail is 51km long will take approx 5- 6 hours and will take you right through everything these trails have to offer…so be prepared!

Walking Trails
Traversing a landscape rich in geology, archaeology and wildlife, Ballyhoura country offers spectacular walking in the ancient and unspoilt landscapes of north Cork and east Limerick.

Whether your interests lie in short looped walks or long hikes along the Ballyhoura way, whether you prefer guided walks or to organise your own walks independently, walkers of all abilities will be invigorated by the sheer beauty and tranquillity of the area.
info@ballyhoura.org

Cycling
There is no better way to see and enjoy an area, than to cycle, this immediate area has a lot of cycle loops that will take through local heritage sites and small village.

Loop 8 - 55km - Ballyhoura networks

Bruff - Lough Gur - Herberstown - Emly - Knocklong - Kilmallock - Bruree - Athlacca - Bruff

On this loop you can experience the Lough Gur lake and heritage centre, with its interactive displays and visit the crannogs, megalithic tombs, stone circle and ring forts.

Bruree was home to Eamon De Valera and why not visit the local museum and cycle past his home.

Equestrian

There is two equestrian centres within easy driving distances of the house, Athlacca Polo cross Centre and O' Donnells Horse riding Centre in Galbally who offer guided cross country trails.

The region is famed for its hunting clubs.

Limerick Race Course at Patrickwell offers a combination of day and evening meetings as does Limerick junction in Tipperary.

Golf

The house is a golfers paradise, with a number of of highly recommended golf course within close distances.
Limerick County Golf and Country Club at Ballyneety (8 miles)
Charleville Golf Club (10 miles)
Adare Golf Club- Irish open 2007/2008 (14 miles)
Ballykisteen golf course at Limerick junction (13 miles)

Clay Bird Shooting

Lazy Dog Ltd. is a clay bird and indoor rifle range centre located in the Ballintubber, Kilfinanne, Co Limerick and is a perfect way to be introduced to the sport. The centre offers a variety of shooting layouts catering for novice shooter and the very advanced. A qualified shooter is available for tuition, covering everything from safety to gun handling.
lazydogshooting@eircom.net

 Water Activities

Limerick is ideally located for many water based activities and all centres are within easy car distances.

For fishing Ballyhass lakes offers a catch and release fishing and tackle hire at there fresh spring fed lakes. Castleconnell has long being prestigious for salmon fishing in Ireland.

Also on the Castleconnell river is Limericks wake and ski centre that offers this water adventure sport in a private stretch of the river Shannon. Tuition is offered in sessions or small groups to suit beginners to advances levels and all equipment is supplied.
www.limerickwakeandski.com

Close by in Killaloe is UL training activity centre. Activities on offer include sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, power boating, dragon boat racing, archery, orienteering and the impressive high ropes course.
info@ulac.ie

Kilfianne Education Centre located close to home offers a large range of water based activities and adventure sport courses such as cannoning at Lough Gur, kayaking and land activities such as rock wall climbing, orienteering, hill walking, river walking and team challenges.
info@kilfinnaneoec.com

Children Activities

Take the children to our local Donkey Sanctuary, Mallow or to Buttercup Farm Croom, Parsons Green Farm Mitchelstown and Fota Wildlife Park Cork.

Swimming pools are close at hand with an excellent one in University of Limerick (15 mins) and in Tipperary (30 mins).

Explore our nearby caves in Mitchelstown or just shop until you drop in our wonderful Department Stores in Limerick.