02-05-2025
New York Times spotlights Ireland's 'Old World romance'
Ireland's Blackwater Valley, a charming area nestled in West Waterford, has been spotlighted by The New York Times thanks to its "natural splendor and Old World romance".
According to journalist Catriona Gray, Lismore Castle - home to the oldest formally cultivated gardens in Ireland - is just one of the must-visit destinations in the area, which she describes as "rich in history, culture and natural beauty".
The lesser-known area gets its romantic name from the Munster Blackwater, a river that rises in Kerry and flows through Cork and Waterford until it reaches Cappoquin, where it turns through Waterford to reach the sea at Youghal in Co Cork.
The valley has significant heritage dating as far back as the Mesolithic period, and the river was once used as a waterway for importing coal and exporting timber for props in the coal mines of Wales.
Along the banks, an area of particular interest is Dromana House and estate. Once the site of a medieval castle, the estate encapsulates extensive forest land and a unique Hindu-Gothic gate lodge built in 1825 to honour the marriage of the owners.
As well as the beautiful waterways, the NY Times praised the vibrantly green land, highlighting the ancient woodland and rolling pastures available to avid hikers.
Scenic views aside, the journalist insists the people, too, are a draw to tourists, with a number of businesses offering a warm welcome, including the Knights Bar in the Manor House, Ballymaloe House, the 220-acre Castlemartyr Resort, and a traditional Irish pub, the Hunted Hog.
Less than an hour from Cork Airport, the piece describes the valley as a "worthy diversion if you're planning a trip to Ireland".
