Introducing Cappoquin & Around
The small market town of Cappoquin is overlooked by the rounded, heathery Knockmealdown Mountains. To the west lies the picturesque Blackwater Valley, where traces of the earliest Irish peoples have been discovered.
Advertisement
The Dromana Drive to Cappoquin from Villierstown (An Baile Nua), 6km south, traces the River Blackwater through the Dromana Forest. At the bridge over the River Finisk is a remarkable Hindu-Gothic gate, inspired by the Brighton Pavilion in England and unique to Ireland.
There’s excellent coarse and game fishing locally, with salmon-fishing permits available from Titelines (54152) tackle shop in the main street.
Mt Melleray Cistercian Abbey (54404; noon-5pm Tue-Sun), 6km north of town in the Knockmealdown foothills (signposted from Cappoquin), is a fully functioning monastery with 28 Trappist monks. The abbey was founded in 1832 by 64 monks who were expelled from a monastery near Melleray in Brittany, France. There are tearooms and a heritage centre.
Turn right off the road to Mt Melleray for the forest walks and picnic spots at Glenshelane Park.
Cappoquin House & Gardens (54004; adult/child €10/free; 9am-1pm Mon-Sat Apr-Jul) is a Georgian mansion (built 1779) and gardens overlooking the River Blackwater. It’s the private residence of the Keane family who’ve lived here for 200 years. The entrance to the house is just north of the centre of Cappoquin; look for a set of huge black iron gates.
While the rooms at Richmond House (54278; www.richmondhouse.net; N72; s €95-140, d €150-240; dinner menu €35-54; restaurant 6-9pm Tue-Thu, 7-9pm Fri-Mon) are forgettable for a country-house hotel (and there’s little difference between standard and superior), the restaurant is excellent. Meals are heavy on local produce such as Helvick salmon and there’s great vegetarian choice.
Barron’s Bakery (54045; the Square) uses the same Scotch Brick Ovens it has used since 1887. Sandwiches and a mouth-watering selection of cakes and buns are available in its café.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
