Estate Experiences
The family’s experienced private staff will work with you to create an extraordinary Irish experience within and beyond the castle walls.
Castle Tours
The team is led by Denis Nevin, the castle’s butler for over 45 years. A castle tour with Denis is an absolute must. His knowledge and stories about Lismore’s art, heritage and vibrant past always leave visitors enthralled.
Lismore Castle Gardens
Lismore’s gardens are the oldest continually cultivated gardens in Ireland, offering spectacular views of both the castle and the surrounding countryside of the Blackwater valley. The seven acres are open to the public by day, but exclusively yours from early evening. Our Head Gardener, Colm O’Driscoll, presents one of Ireland’s favourite horticultural TV shows, and is on hand to share the castle’s meadows, orchards, kitchen gardens, and extraordinary natural specimens with our guests.
Lismore Castle Arts
Located in the gardens is one of Ireland’s leading contemporary galleries, Lismore Castle Arts. The gallery hosts renowned art exhibitions, and an inspiring and engaging programme across the main gallery and other heritage spaces in Lismore town and the wider estate. Guests can enjoy private tours and exhibition talks with our curator Paul McAree.
Dining experiences
Head chef Teena Mahon works closely with the garden team to grow the freshest fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Guests are welcome to join her daily forays to the kitchen garden, or to add a helping hand as she prepares the estate’s famous apple juice, jams, chutneys and freshly-caught salmon.
Fly Fishing
Running alongside the castle, the River Blackwater is one of Ireland’s largest rivers and well known for its long history of salmon fishing and fishing tales. Guests can try their hand at fly fishing for both salmon and trout with our resident riverkeeper.
Stone carving
With the castle as inspiration, guests are welcome to study stone carving under the guidance of our resident stonemason. You will be guided through the process of stone selection, choice and use of tools as well as basic carving techniques.