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Lismore itineraries

Lismore Itineraries

Half a day or a full weekend. Here are the best ways to spend your time in Lismore, planned step by step.

Whether you have a few hours or a full weekend to explore, these itineraries give you a local’s route through Lismore. Each one links directly to the restaurants and activities along the way.

Half a day in Lismore·Half day (about 4 hours)A full day: gardens, the Towers and the Vee·Full day (about 8 hours)

Half a day in Lismore

Half day (about 4 hours)Year-round

The town on foot, built for a weekday when the castle gardens may be shut. Everything here is within ten minutes' walk of the Heritage Centre, and it ends with lunch if you time it for a Friday or Saturday.

First time visitorsRainy daysVisitors arriving by the 363 bus
  1. 1
    10:00·45 minutes

    See inside the castle, virtually

    Start at the Heritage Centre in the old courthouse. The Lismore Castle Experience shows on the half hour and takes thirty minutes; it is the only way to see the rooms.

    View Lismore Heritage Centre
  2. 2
    11:00·45 minutes

    Ferry Lane and Lady Louisa's Walk

    Walk down Ferry Lane to the bridge for the view of the castle over the Blackwater, then take the riverside path east and loop back by Church Lane.

    View Lady Louisa's Walk
  3. 3
    11:45·45 minutes

    St Carthage's Cathedral

    Up the North Mall to the cathedral for the Burne-Jones window, the McGrath tomb of 1543 and the inscribed stones from the spire.

    View St Carthage's Cathedral
  4. 4
    12:30·1 hour 30 minutes

    Lunch on Main Street

    Farmgate serves lunch on Fridays and Saturdays from noon and a Sunday menu from 1pm; book by email ahead. Earlier in the week, try one of the cafés on Main Street, such as Fuller's Bistro.

    View Farmgate Lismore

A full day: gardens, the Towers and the Vee

Full day (about 8 hours)Best spring to autumn

The day for the castle season, mid-March to late October, with a car for the afternoon. It puts the gardens first, while they are quiet, and saves the drive over the mountains for the evening light.

Garden visitorsWalkers with a carA summer weekend
  1. 1
    11:00·2 hours

    Lismore Castle Gardens and the gallery

    In at opening time. Upper garden first, through the Riding House to the lower garden and the yew avenue, then the exhibition in the west wing.

    View Lismore Castle Gardens and Lismore Castle Arts
  2. 2
    13:00·45 minutes

    Tea in the castle

    The Gallery Café beside the gallery, for tea and the castle chef's cakes before you leave the grounds.

    View Gallery Café, Lismore Castle Arts
  3. 3
    14:15·1 hour 15 minutes

    Ballysaggartmore Towers

    Drive about 3.5km west on the R666 to the woodland car park and walk the loop to the Gothic gate lodges and bridge.

    View Ballysaggartmore Towers
  4. 4
    16:00·1 hour 30 minutes

    Over the Vee

    Back through town and north on the R668 to the viewpoint at the Vee, over the county line in Tipperary, for the Golden Vale and the Galty Mountains on a clear day.

    View The Vee
  5. 5
    18:00·2 hours

    Dinner back in Lismore

    Farmgate does dinner from 5pm Thursday to Saturday, booked by email. Otherwise finish in one of the Main Street pubs.

    View Farmgate Lismore

Ready to plan your visit?

Check the weather forecast before you head out.

Planning Tips & Packing GuideGetting to Lismore