Hook Line & Sinker

IRELAND'S BLUE BOOKCOUNTRY HOUSES, HISTORIC HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

You can guess, by the title of this suggested itinerary that there may be a spot of fishing included. You could also be mistaken that this is strictly for men and their waders, well you could be wrong, because you won’t want to miss staying at some beautiful waterside country houses, and perchance, to dine on the results of the days pursuits! We’re going to start out in Galway and we will complete our angling tour back in Galway in a few days time.

West of Ireland Fishing Tour

Day 1

You had best catch a really early flight into Galway because you have a busy day ahead. Today Jim Riddell the resident Ghillie at Glenlo Abbey will have you out on the lower end of Lough Corrib where if you wish he can instruct you on tying flies and guide you to the best areas for the huge variety of fish present in this lake, such as trout, salmon, pike, perch and bream. The best thing you will learn today is ‘patience’, the biggest asset to any fisherman. Jim will also look after your luncheon requirements with a picnic on one of the 365 islands on the lake. Don’t fret about your better half, she’s already gone shopping - though you may feel a million miles away, Glenlo Abbey is within a stones throw of the heart of Galway City, but take comfort that she will look gorgeous tonight at dinner in the Pullman Restaurant aboard the Orient Express! Retire to one of the beautiful luxurious bedrooms and dream softly of leaping salmon and rippling circles of water...

Day 2

Today sees you drive northwards to Co. Mayo to the picturesque town of Newport in time for an afternoons fishing on the Newport River. Don’t bother asking directions for Newport House, just look across the river to the stunning ivy-clad Georgian House, that’s ‘home’ for tonight. Before you can say, ‘fishing rod’, your other half will be gone, to explore the surrounding area. Maybe she’ll climb Croagh Patrick; visit the Museum of Country Life in Castlebar or say a prayer for a ’good catch’ in Knock. Meanwhile back in Newport, you indulge yourself with some wonderful fishing on 8 miles of the Newport River (both banks) and Lough Beltra West. This is one of the few areas where Spring Salmon can be fished from a boat. All fish are wild and nature is relied upon to restock the water. However rod control is exercised along the river. When you return to the House laden with your catch, the folk at Newport House will be delighted offer freezing facilities, or better again will arrange to smoke your fish for you, this may take a day or two, and you could always pick it up en route back to Galway on this trip. Spend a relaxing evening surrounded by fine antiques and paintings and enjoy a glass of wine by the fire. Newport House has won many awards for its great food.

Day 3

Just a short trip today, further North into the heartland of Mayo, to a listed Heritage house. Situated right on the shores of Lough Conn you will find Enniscoe House. The beauty of Enniscoe is that the other half doesn’t have to leave the grounds today to find entertainment! Whilst you get organized hiring a boat to take you out for either a spot of fly-fishing or game-angling, for Brown Trout, Spring Salmon or Grilse, herself can enjoy the restored walled garden and see what organic vegetables in season you will enjoy at tonight’s dinner. After that she can visit the agricultural museum housed in the farmyard alongside a tearoom and gift shop. If either or you are lucky enough to have predecessors from the Mayo area she can check this up in the Genealogy Centre. There are many woodland walks, some which run by the waters edge, where she can admire your angling skills for a while! Sleep well and don’t let the silence keep you awake.

Day 4

Don't forget to pick up that smoked salmon from Newport on your way back to Galway. The final day's fishing will bring you back to Lough Corrib; being 11km wide and 43km long, there are bound to be a few "bites" you have missed and this time you will be fishing the northern end of the Lough. Tonight brings you to the old fashioned (in the best sense of the word) Currarevagh House. Currarevagh sits on the edge of the Lough and has direct access, along with traditionally built clinker boats with or without outboards for hire. But where's herself gone: She has probably gone to join the nuns at Kylemore Abbey (for a cup of tea or a walk around the beautiful gardens and grounds of course!) Or more locally, she may be visiting Aughanure Castle, stronghold of the "ferocious O'Flahertys", but you'll find she will have spent a good part of her day in the "gem shop" at Glengowla Mines! A great excuse for you to get her back to base is the wonderful old fashioned afternoon tea served in the drawing room between 4.30 and 6pm, definitely one not to be missed!

Hope you enjoyed your Blue Book Fishing Trip. This trip can also be enjoyed by the serious "fishermen only" type also. But a trip to that gem shop would be recommended prior to returning home!

South of Ireland Fishing Tour

Day 1 and 2

"Gone Fishin" is the perfect theme for a little weekend on the banks of the Blackwater River in the heart of Munster. As the fishing houses in Cork are SO irresistible we recommend a two night stay in Longueville House which has superb fishing on the River Blackwater and where brown trout and salmon fishing is at its best. William O'Callaghan, the owner of Longueville, will arrange for the local ghillie to bring you to some secret pools where you can fish to your heart's content. If you happen to be staying in Longueville House between November and January you can always do a spot of shooting on their "walk up shoots" and where repeat guests tend to gather each year. Lots of competition and great fun!

Ireland's Blue Book of Country Houses & Restaurants
7/8 Mount St Crescent, Dublin 2. Ireland
Tel: (+353) 01-6769914 | Fax: (+353) 01-6314990 | Email:enquiry@irelandsbluebook.com