Tag: midweek breaks

June 24, 2016

A Taste of Lough Derg

A Summer Series of Food Events as A Taste of Lough Derg Returns

Food producers and restaurant owners surrounding Lough Derg Lakelands have joined forces once again this summer in an effort to promote the region as a food tourism destination. A Taste of Lough Derg returns for a third year this June and features over 30 food events taking place in villages and towns along the shores of Lough Derg in counties Clare, Galway and Tipperary until late September.

The calendar of events has been coordinated by the Lough Derg Marketing Group in conjunction with the food businesses in the region and was launched recently by culinary icon Peter Ward from Country Choice Nenagh and The Milk Market in Limerick.

Speaking at the launch of programme Mr Ward commented that “It’s great to see businesses working in collaboration around Lough Derg. Cross selling, buying local produce, and shopping locally are key drivers in supporting the local economy. Creating events that will entice visitors into our towns and villages during the summer months is a key objective of A Taste of Lough Derg”

There’s an exciting programme of events for 2016 aimed at attracting new visitors to the region and providing them with a memorable food experience. It’s an opportunity to showcase the food produce in the area, some of the quality artisan food producers and established restaurants. Some of the highlights of the 2016 programme include the chance to meet a Beekeeper, take a trip on a kayak, walk some of the Lough Derg Way, experience the work inside a woollen mills, cookery and baking demonstrations and lots more.

For more information and to download the brochure click here

April 18, 2016

Take a Break!

Take a break!

If you wish to take a break, then The Cottage Cafe and Tea Rooms is worth a visit. It is situated the tiny village of Loughmore, Co Tipperary, between the towns of Thurles and Roscrea. It is a community owned and operated cooperative , selling local produce, arts & crafts – including home made breads, cakes & confectionery, jams, conserves, honey, locally grown vegetables and basic groceries, sweets and ices, plus sundry items. The tearooms provide a warm and welcoming haven for every customer, where you can sit, chat & enjoy wholesome, nutritious food, most of it sourced locally. The Cottage Market in the garden on the first Sunday of every month from 12.00am to 3pm.

The cooperative venture was initiated due to the lack of a shop in the village and is the brainchild of two local women, Mary Fogarty and Meave O’Hehir, who shared a passion for their community and the need to provide a local service to counter rural isolation and help maintain a ‘sense of place’ locally The Cottage Cafe has won numerous awards and commendations in 2014 it was awarded Best Cafe in the Country by the Irish Times Newspaper.

Well worth a detour if you are travelling to Fuchsia Lane Farm from the Dublin, Kilkenny, or Cork side of the country! If you are staying with us then include it on your trip to Roscrea, The Devils Bit, Holycross or The Rock of Cashel

August 28, 2015

Midweek Breaks

Midweek Breaks – Self Catering Cottage

September is our favourite time of year to enjoy a Midweek Break. Being the optimists that we are, we expect a glorious ‘Indian Summer’ and what better place to take a midweek break is there than the Lough Derg village of Terryglass and the area of Tipperary, East Clare and East Galway.

Here at Fuchsia Lane Farm Holiday Cottages we can offer a midweek break for a couple in one of our cosy cottages for two at the special rate of €180 for three nights. This rate is available for dates between Mon and Thurs during the months of Sept and Oct and subject to availabilty . We supply all linens, towels etc. You have use of the bikes, walks, woodland meditation space and of course the local pubs, restaurants and lovely lakeside villages.

If you wish to explore outside of the village, Nenagh is the largest town in the locality. Nenagh Castle and Heritage Centre are well worth a visit. You can sample local artisan food produce at the Country Market on Friday mornings and the Farmers Market on Saturdays. Local award-winning eateries and delicatessens during your day’ s sightseeing or shopping include, Cinnamon Alley, Country Choice, and The Pantry Café. The town also has a new public leisure centre with swimming pool, gym and town park with playground. You can enjoy other amenities such as an 18 hole golf club, tennis club, river walks and public library.

The Silvermines mountains and Upperchurch provide some wonderful walking trails and the Lough Derg Way and Hymany Way long distance routes are close to Fuchsia Lane Farm.

Hanly Tweeds is a long established family woollen mills producing quality fabrics and woollen cloths. It is a great place to pick up a unique article of clothing as the perfect gift!

Birr Castle and Gardens will entrance and entertain you for hours! See what was once the largest telescope in the world, view majestic gardens with plant species from all around the globe and let the child in you delight in the tree house. Birr town is a heritage town with magnificent architecture and great cafés and restaurants.

We recommend that you visit Portumna Castle and Gardens, The Irish Famine Workhouse and the wonderful tracks and trails in the Forest Park. Children will also love the playground in the centre of town. The tennis club also welcomes visitors.

Portumna 18 hole Golf Course is located on the edge of the town and there are also opportunities for horse riding and pitch and putt in the area. Pallas Karting is home to Europe’s largest Karting course and also offers the latest craze of Zorbing and other activities.

If you are tempted by the prospect of some retail therapy, Ladies Day boutique, owned by former Rose of Tralee, Muirne Goode, is the place to visit.

Horse riding and pony trekking are available in a number of centres. Agrimhill Horse Farm will bring you along quiet country lanes and along the banks of the picturesque Kylecrow River. Birr Equestrian Centre hold children’s summer camps and regular Sunday treks in the Slieve Bloom mountains.

The recent reintroduction of the White Tailed Eagles and their successful breeding on the islands off Mountshannon makes this lovely lakeside town a must see. While there, why not take the opportunity to visit Holy Island with local historian and guide, Ger Madden? We can give him a call for you!

If you are a lover of chocolate (who isn’t!), a visit to Wilde Irish Chocolates factory in Tuamgraney just outside Scarrif is a treat. Sample the delicious handmade chocolates and experience for yourself this award-winning confectionery.

Tuamgraney also offers the East Clare Heritage centre. This community-run centre is based in the 10th Century St Cronan’s Church, and provides a great insight into Ireland’s monastic past.

The sister towns of Killaloe and Ballina are an ideal place to spend some time. Lovers of good food, scones, coffee and all things nice will have to find some time to linger in The Wooden Spoon. Here Laura Kilkenny’s produce will demonstrate what happens when you put all your love for fine ingredients into your work.

Also in Killaloe James Whelan provides cruises on Lough Derg on his boat, the Spirit of Killaloe, and is a great way to experience the river and lake.

Heading north from Killaloe – Ballina, the Graves of The Leinster Men (signposted from Ballina) affords a panoramic view of the Lough Derg area. Alternatively, follow the Lough Derg Drive along the lake and stop at the viewing point, The Lookout, where you can take in the splendour of the majestic Shannon River.

The lakeside village of Garrykennedy is well known for Larkin’s Pub, another award-winning eatery! Local traditional musicians also favour this spot so you might be in time for a ‘Seisiún’, in addition to the weekly Sunday evening session from 7 to 9pm.

And of course, you can bring your doggie with you!