the blackwater valley

The Blackwater is Munster's major river, and the second largest in Ireland. It rises in remote mountainy country on the borders of Cork and Kerry, and flows for 136 km through a wooded limestone valley, turning sharply south towards the end to reach the sea at Youghal. The river banks are punctuated by historic castles and great estates.

Starting at the old fishing port of Youghal, follow the little roads on the West side of the estuary, stopping briefly to look at the ruined Molana Abbey, where Raymond le Gros (the fat!) one of the first invading Norman Knights, is buried. On to Lismore which is in County Waterford, a small, very picturesque town dominated by the towers and battlements of Lismore Castle, which is the Irish seat of the Earl of Devonshire.

It is a really lovely drive from here to Fermoy, following the river closely. Fermoy is a pleasant early 19th-century planned town, and a notable centre for Salmon and Coarse fishing. The area north of the river between Fermoy and Mallow has many locations of interest.
They include Glanworth with its dramatic Roche Castle, now being restored, and fine 13-arched bridge; Labbacallee, an immense wedge-shaped prehistoric gallery grave; Anne's Grove Gardens near Castletownroche; Castletownroche; Castle Curious, a "folly" tower built by 19th-century eccentric, Johnny Roche.