Aug 5, 2012

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Great fishing on the Suir this summer at Kilmaneen Farmhouse.

It may not have been good weather for many things this summer but rhubarb and fishing on the Suir and Tar have been wonderful this year.

Read this blog for a summary of a good day's fishing recently written by a very happy fly fisherman.

Rivers, Suir and Tar, Kilmaneen, Co. Tipperary

It’s not often that i get to fish on two rivers in the one outing so on hearing about an opportunity to fish on the river’s Suir and Tar at Kilmaneen, i was glad to accept it. Kilmaneen Farmhouse Accommodation is a four star family run bed and breakfast along with self catering cottage. Run by Kevin and Bernadette O’Donnell it also offers fishing on both the Suir and Tar rivers to guests staying at the Farmhouse. It also offers day permits to anglers like myself that want to avail of the fishing but dont require accommodation. On arrival at the farmhouse i met with Bernadette who invited me in for tea. I had a great chat with her about the history of the place and of the fishing on the farm. Bernadette then introduced me to her husband Kevin who showed me around the farm and pointed out the extent of the fishing to be had.

Kilmaneen Farmhouse
After showing me around the fishery Kevin wished me luck and headed back to the house and left me to get on with the fishing. While setting up i was taken in by the beautiful setting of the fishery, the fabulous Knockmealdown mountains providing a wonderful backdrop. As Kevin was showing me around i made up my mind as to which river i would fish on first. The river Tar was flowing downstream towards the Suir so i set up the rod with a team of wet flies. The team comprised of a Yellow Jack on the point an Iron Blue pattern (trial pattern) in the middle and a Parrys spider on the top. Walking down along the river bank i came to a nice pool which had a long fast run under the the opposite bank. I started my days fishing there and i managed to catch and release a nice wild brown trout on the Yellow Jack. Moving on downstream i noticed that Kevin had done work on the fishery by providing entrance gaps in the fencing which made for easy access to the water and easy on your waders too. As i fished my way down the Tar to its confluence with the Suir, i caught and released another two trout on the way both on the Yellow Jack.

Suir tranquility
At the confluence i came across a bench seat nicely nestled in the shade so i decided to have a rest from the fishing and take in some of the fabulous scenery. A Kingfisher passed by skimming low along the river with its beak crammed with minnows heading downstream to feed its offspring. A pair of Swans then swam past, the cob displaying himself to the pen. A Sparrowhawk then appeared swooping along the bankside vegetation trying to flush out its prey. I then noticed a few fish rising to my left upstream and i wondered what they were rising to. A few minutes passed and the numbers of fish rising increased so i decided it was time to take a closer look at what they were feeding on. As i got closer i could see it was Iron Blue Duns they were busily feeding on. I then set up the rod to fish with an Iron Blue Klinkhammer. First cast and i had a fish on which i landed unhooked it and released him back to the river. The amount of Iron Blues steadily increased and so did the amount of rising fish. I was witnessing an incredible hatch of Iron Blues the likes of which i had not seen in a good many years. During the hatch which seemed to continue forever i caught and released twelve wild brown trout, the best fish going over a pound in weight. I noticed a large number of bigger fish rising to the iron Blues but i found it was hard to get them as the smaller fish were getting to the Klinkhammer first.

Large dark olive, Iron blue dun
Hunger got the better of me so i took time out for some lunch. The only sounds i heard during my lunch break were of the song birds in the hedgerows, Ravings calling as they soared above the Knockmealdowns and the cattle as they grazed on the lush leafy grass in the next field. After lunch i changed over to fish a Light Cahill Klinkhammer as i noticed during the hatch of Iron Blues there were also some Large Dark Olives hatching. My thinking was to try target some of the larger fish i was hoping to see rising in the afternoon on both rivers. I headed off to see if i could spot a rising fish. With both rivers running pure clear, stealth was the only way i was going to have a chance of picking up a good fish. Starting with the river Tar i sneaked along the river bank casting the fly over each fish that rose. I brought up several fish on the Tar but failed to hook any.

River Suir Trout
On to the Suir applying the same sneak tactics and also casting to rising fish. It was not long before i hooked into a good fish but alas he got the better of me. I hooked and lost two more good fish before i managed to catch one, another nice fish of around the pound weight. I had one more fish before it was time to end a fabulous day. The River Suir is one of the finest wild brown trout fisheries in the country and it is well worth fishing on it. There is no finer place to experience it than at Kilmaneen where you can also sample fishing on another fine river, the Tar.

River Tar
I am already planning another trip to Kilmaneen only next time i will avail of the accommodation as i want to fish on an evening rise and i have imagined myself early the following morning strolling down through the fields rod in hand to sample some early morning fishing before breakfast. My thanks to Kevin and Bernadette for a wonderful days fishing at Kilmaneen. You can contact Bernadette and Kevin for details if you are interested in fishing on their fabulous fishery.

Jul 14, 2012

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St. Declan’s Way Walk from Ardfinnan to Ardmore August 4th, 5th & 6th 2012 


Residential package: €220 per person sharing to include 3 nights B/B, 2 dinners, transport (from Kilmaneen Farmhouse to walk and back) and guides

Non-residential package: €60 per person to include transport and guides for the 3 days.

 Enquiries to :

Kevin O'Donnell,
Kilmaneen Farmhouse,
Newcastle, Clonmel,
Co. Tipperary. Ireland
Tel: 052 6136231 (intl + 353 52 6136231)
Mobile: 086 3541700 & 083 3351090
E-mail: info@kilmaneen.com
Web site:
www.kilmaneen.com 
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www.facebook.com/kilmaneenfarmhouse

May 11, 2012

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To contact us go to kilmaneen@eircom.net
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Special Offer at Kilmaneen Farmhouse
Stay 2 nights for €37.50 ppsh/pn* B&B

Stay 3 nights or more for €35 ppsh/pn* B&B

*per person sharing per night
Please quote this offer now when booking

May 9, 2012

To return to our website go to www.kilmaneen.com
To contact us go to kilmaneen@eircom.net

Tipperary Craft Gathering Exhibition
Just a taste of what will be on exhibit at the Tipperary Craft Gathering Exhibition in the Craft Granary, Cahir, Co. Tipperary opening on Thursday evening 17th May and running for 4 weeks





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Apr 27, 2012

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A nice report on fishing in the Suir recently.

T’is to be Suir a great river for the trout !

April 27th, 2012 | by Nancy Hearne
On a return trip to fish on the beautiful river Suir near Holycross in Tipperary Liam Stenson writes; “ Since fishing on this water last year I have wanted to get back down to fish on it before the weed growth got too high. I got to Holycross shortly after ten am and organised my day permit for the Thurles Suir and Drish Anglers Association. Having a look about before setting up the rod I noticed a few fish rising but I could not see what they were rising to. I then decided to set up the rod for fishing dry flies, I started with a Light Cahill Klinkhammer. I managed to rise a few fish to the Light Cahill but failed to connect with any of them. The weather on the day was typical Irish weather giving all of the seasons in one day. The wind was not in my favour for fishing dry flies but I kept at is as I could see there was several good fish rising.
River Suir, Holycross
River Suir, Holycross
I saw a few Iron Blue Duns about so I changed over to an Iron Blue Klinkhammer which I cast to the next fish I saw rise. This time I managed to connect with a nice wild brown trout of about half pound weight. After I released the trout I cast again to another rising fish, missed that one. I got two more fish on the Iron Blue before things went quiet. I moved on upstream looking out for more rising fish. While moving upstream I came upon a lot of fish rising at the head of a fast run so I watched them for a while to see what they were taking. As I watched the fish I noticed that there was Large Dark Olives coming off the water so on seeing the Olives I again changed the fly. The next fly I tied on was the Greenwell Klinkhammer, this was the fly the fish were on. I caught and released seven nice fish from that run all on the Greenwell, best fish pictured above nearly a pound in weight. It was time for some lunch by the river.
Suir Trout
Suir Trout
After the lunch the wind had got stronger and was blowing full downstream so I changed over to fish a team of wet flies. I tied on the Yellow Jack on the point, a Iron blue spider (trial pattern) on the middle dropper and a Waterhen Bloa on the top dropper. I fished the team down and across the river, on the third cast I caught a nice fish which went for the Yellow Jack. During the afternoon I caught and released twelve more wild brown trout. The Yellow Jack accounted for nine out of the twelve fish. All too soon it was time to pack up and head for home. I have plans to get back down to fish on the river Suir in early May when I will fish the Thurles Holycross and Ballycamus anglers waters. Already I am looking forward to it.”
Liam Stenson
http://www.irishflyfisher.ie/

Apr 25, 2012

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Knockmealdown Active

presents

The Dawn Chorus

Kevin Collins of Birdwatch Ireland will help us to identify
 different birdsongs that we will hear as we are led on a slow walk through a mixed and varied habitat.

Sunday 13 May 2012

 Meeting at 4.30am in the Community Centre, Clogheen

Followed by a
KMD Active Breakfast
at the
Hermitage House, Clogheen

The cost of this event is 15 euro per person and, as spaces are limited, it is advisable to book a place as soon as possible by calling  The Hermitage House @ 052 7465876


Apr 17, 2012

Beekeeping
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Introduction to Beekeeping
1-day introductory course in beekeeping.
This course is designed to give those who are considering keeping bees some information and demonstrations on the process of beekeeping.


Date - 9th June 2012
Time - 10am - 4pm
Tutor - Irene Power. Experienced beekeeper
Venue - Kilmaneen Farmhouse, Newcastle, Clonmel. Co. Tipperary
Course fee - 75 euro per person which includes light lunch and refreshments
Smoking the bees before working with them


Contact us now to book your place








What to BringFull bee-suits and gloves are provided, but you will need to bring your own wellingtons and wear a long-sleeved top.
Caution! Please do not attend this course if you are, or think you may be, allergic to bee stings.
Beginners should first of all find out if he/she is in any way allergic to bee stings and if so, not to attempt acquiring bees or taking up beekeeping without seeking medical advice.

Weather warning.

On the day it may be considered necessary to cancel opening the hives as this part of the course is subject to good weather conditions.
Places on this course are limited to 12 participants.