Vale of Avoca

Introducing Vale of Avoca

In summer, tour buses and other interested parties clog the road through the scenic Vale of Avoca on their way to the renowned mills in the eponymous village. En route, tourists ooh and aah at the gorgeous scenery of the darkly wooded valley which begins where the Rivers Avonbeg and Avonmore come together to form the River Avoca. This is a lovely spot suitably named the Meeting of the Waters, made famous by Thomas Moore’s 1808 poem of the same name.

The Meeting of the Waters is marked by a pub called the Meetings (0402-35226; www.themeetingsavoca.com ; s/d €40/65; noon-9pm), which serves food (mains €10 to €19) and has music on weekends year-round. There are céilidhs (traditional music and dancing sessions) between 4pm and 6pm Sunday, April to October. There’s also a guesthouse attached (known as Robin’s Nest) with decent, clean rooms. Buses to Avoca from Dublin stop at the Meetings, or you can walk from Avoca, 3km south of here.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009