Fermoy

An army town dating mainly from the mid-19th century, Fermoy was a major crossroads on the Dublin-Cork road (N8), but nowadays most through traffic uses the bypass; the east-west road that passes through town (N72) is an attractive 98-km (61-mi) alternative route to Killarney. The bridge that spans the Blackwater is flanked by two weirs dating from 1689. From mid-April to early July you can watch salmon working their way back to their spawning grounds. A few miles upstream on the same river is Castlehyde, a fine Georgian house that is now the home of the lord of Irish dance, Michael Flatley. It's easy to see why he was so charmed by the quiet, lush country that surrounds this famous salmon river.