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It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, But It’s Worth the Journey

In a country that garners superlatives for its landscape and culture, Ireland’s heart, its region known as the Midlands, is often overlooked by travellers. The western destinations of Donegal and County Kerry steal attention for their dramatic scenery and world-renowned musical destinations. On the eastern half of the country, the capital city of Dublin is a magnet for tourists wanting to discover Ireland’s cultural history and nightlife.

The Midlands are under-publicized but no less deserving of a visit. The food scene is outstanding, with producers creating some of the best dairy products in Europe and raising ethically sourced meat and game. Craft brewers are emerging and artisan suppliers are starting to flourish.

While the land has always been lush and fertile — all that rain does have its benefits for the Emerald Isle — recognition has taken some time, according to one of Ireland’s leading culinary proponents, chef Ross Lewis of Dublin’s Chapter One restaurant. He says the Great Recession that started in 2008 caused hardship but also led to entrepreneurship with long-lasting benefits.

“I’d say in the last four or five years I see the momentum coming on strong. It was building from the bottom up,” says Lewis, a pioneer in the local-food movement. “The recession helped farmers diversify their markets. They were creating new products and selling them locally, and people were buying them and spreading the word about them. A lot of stars aligned.”

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Ailbhe Gerrard stands in front of the beehives that she harvests with a Honey Celebration each year in central Ireland. At top, the view from Gerrard’s Brookfield Farm. (Adrian Brijbassi photos for VacayNetwork.com)

Among the farmers doing unique things is Ailbhe Gerrard, whose Brookfield Farm in County Tipperary offers the public the opportunity to own a piece of a working beehive. Options range from a one-eighth share (95 euro, $110 USD) to ownership of a full hive (430 euro, $500 USD), and the benefits of what it produces. Hiveshare owners receive jars of honey at harvest time, as well as a gift box with items such as beeswax candles and balm. The amount distributed to owners depends on their level of hiveshare ownership.

Discover More: Craft Beer Adds Flavor to Ireland

Perhaps the most enticing reward is the chance to attend Gerrard’s Honey Celebration — an annual festival where hiveshare owners can participate in the harvest and meet their bees, and the beekeeper. There’s also the chance to tour the rest of Brookfield Farm, which is a beautiful, sprawling property with a stunning view of Lough Derg, a 25-mile-long (40 kilometres) body of water that is full of sights and activities.

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Picturesque Garrykennedy features a marina on Lough Derg, the leading attraction in County Tipperary. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for VacayNetwork.com)

Once you glimpse it, you will want to get to know more about Lough Derg. The best way to do that is to head west from the town of Nenagh, where Brookfield Farm is located, and toward the tiny municipality of Garrykennedy, where a small harbour invites you to linger near the shore. You’ll be tempted to enter Larkin’s for an order of fish and chips and a refreshment of your choice. And you should act on the urge.

Larkin’s is a country pub that has been serving food and ale on the lakeshore for more than three centuries. Its exterior maintains a thatched roof and white walls while the pub’s inside is spacious, up to date, and comfortable. Music occurs nightly and the fish and chips orders are constant. You can enjoy them with a Guinness, but opting for a local craft beer would broaden your Irish palate.

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A serving of fish and chips at Larkin’s in Garrykennedy is a highlight of a visit to Tipperary in the Irish Midlands. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for VacayNetwork.com)

Once satiated, venture about 12 miles (20 km) southwest to the charming sister towns of Killaloe and Ballina. A lovely bridge that traverses Lough Derg separates the two locales, and their counties. Killaloe is in County Clare while Ballina is at the westernmost point in Tipperary. Visitors to these conjoined towns will want to stay at the Lakeside Hotel and Leisure Centre in Ballina, a 15-minute walk to Killaloe that takes you over the bridge. The hotel features outstanding pub fare, large rooms, and quaint gardens ambling alongside the lakeshore.

It’s not the Ireland you may be used to seeing or hearing about, but that is one of the key reasons why Tipperary is very much worth experiencing. To discover Ireland for yourself and explore beyond the well-trodden tourist tracks.

MORE ABOUT VISITING TIPPERARY

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Sheep are everywhere in rural Ireland. This ewe and its 2-day-old lamb were seen on Brookfield Farm. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for VacayNetwork.com)

Getting There: Tipperary is easily reached from Dublin via the M7 highway (90 minutes) or on the national railway (approximately two hours on an express train) or bus service.

Where to Stay: The Lakeside Hotel and Leisure Centre in Ballina is an outstanding spot to base your stay in the Irish Midlands. Nightly Rates: A recent search of the hotel’s booking engine returned a starting rate of 110 euro ($130 USD).

MORE IRELAND FOOD COVERAGE

Art and Agriculture Spark Dublin’s Restaurant Scene Check VacayNetwork.com’s article featuring Michelin-starred Chapter One, where executive chef Ross Lewis has been championing Irish cuisine for more than a quarter century. Read More.

Craft Beer in Ireland Finds Inspiration in North AmericaWhite Gypsy is producing high-quality lagers and ales, and doing so with a nod to Canada and the United States for helping it find success. Read More on Vacay.ca.

Adrian is the founder of VacayNetwork.com and Vacay.ca, and the co-founder of the travel-trivia app, Trippzy. A former editor at the Toronto Star and New York Newsday, Adrian has won numerous awards for his travel writing and fiction. He has worked with leading destination marketing organizations, developing digital and social media strategies, and providing them with content marketing solutions. He has visited more than 40 countries and spearheaded the Vacay.ca 20 Best Places to Visit in Canada annual list that debuted in 2012.

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