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The Town of Fermoy
Fermoy is a small town (population
approx. 5,000) situated in the centre of the lush Blackwater
Valley. It is on the crossroads between the Rosslare/Killarney
and Dublin/Cork routes. Renowned for inland fishing it is
an attractive base to explore the history and amenities of
North and East Co. Cork.
The town has its roots in two main traditions: Religious and
Military. A Cistercian Abbey was founded in 1170 and around
this abbey the town developed. At the dissolution of the monasteries
during the Tudor period the abbey and its lands passed through
the following dynasties: Viscount Roche of Fermoy, Sir Richard
Grenville, Robert Boyle, Scientist ("Boyles Law")
and William Forward. Fermoy today still retains the religious
tradition and three orders are currently educating the young
population - St. Colmans, Presentation and Loreto, The town
is famous for attracting future professionals and scholars
who spend their formative years in Fermoy.
In 1791 the lands were bought by a Scotsman, John Anderson.
He was an entrepreneur who developed the roads and started
the mail coach system in Ireland. He designed the town and
the streets remain much the same as they were originally built.
In the early 19th Century he offered cheap sites to the military
and the town fast became a manufacturing and services base
for the British army until 1922.
In later years Fermoy has been renowned for its attraction
as an inland fishing centre and has an international appeal
for trout, salmon and coarse fishing. The Blackwater and Funcheon
rivers being the main waters.
Where to go, What to do
Famed for its coarse and salmon angling, Fermoy has lots more
to offer the traveller. The surrounding countryside is some
of the most scenic in the area, with its mixture of valleys
and mountains, yet it is still completely unspoilt. Picnic
areas are beautifully situated in panoramic spots, but there
is much for the traveller to explore and scenic places to
find and call your own.
Fermoy is ideally situated for visits to the many fine country
houses and gardens in the area, historic sites and castles
and places of archeological interest. There are trips to the
Vee in the Knockmealdown mountains noted for its spectacular
scenery, where is also situated Mount Mellary, a monastery,
part of which is built from the stone of the former Mitchelstown
Castle. Mitchelstown Caves and Fota Wildlife Park are also
easily accessible, as are seaside resorts in Youghal and Ardmore.
In fact Fermoy is surrounded by villages with something unique
and interesting to offer: Kilworth with its castle and Art
centre, Glanworth with its castle and Woollen Mills and megalithic
tomb. Further castles abound in Ballyhooly, Castlelyons, Conna,
Cregg, Castletownroche, Lismore and oddities like the towers
of Ballysaggartmore to name but a few. The area is rich in
historical monuments, a reflection of its important location
in former years.
Teagasc, Moorepark is a renowned Dairy Research Centre on
the outskirts of Fermoy and there are several prize winning
stud farms in the area.
As a base for activities in the area, Fermoy is excellent.
Boasting eighty three clubs
and organisations (at the last count), it has everything
to offer.
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