We had the opportunity to travel to County Cork in Ireland this past summer to fish for Atlantic Salmon. Ian Powell's Blackwater Lodge in Upper Ballyduff was the perfect home away from home. The Munster Blackwater is Ireland's second longest river (after the Shannon) and without a doubt their finest Salmon stream. This beautiful river winds its way from the mountains of Kerry eastward, meandering through Cork's green pastures and golden fields, to enter the Irish Sea.

The Rock of Cashel

The Cashel Altar

Blackwater Downstream

Bridgestone Abbey

Kilmurry Cows

Gray Heron Flies (Ardea cinerea)

Ghillie and Strangford

Golden Grain

Fish On

Blackwater Sunset


       Ballyduff Ballad

       Softer Rains wash Bridgestone Abbey’s
       Graying, stonewalled, 12th Century Ruins,
       As carefully, Spey-casted Flies,
       Stoat’s Tails, Munro Killers and General Practioners,
       All search for the ever-elusive, silvered Atlantic Salmon,
       Running up from the Irish Sea,
       To spawn in the gentle Flow of the Munster Blackwater;
       Both Brown and Sea-Trout coexist
       With stalking Herons, wading
       Beside lush, green, flowered Banks,
       Whilst Swallows sweep the Upper Kilmurry Beat
       Or nearby Fields of golden Wheat and Barley,
       Waving in the Summer's Sun.
 
 

                                                                                                                            Click to Hear The Street Musicians (Buskers) at Cashel
 
 

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©  Howard B. Eskin 2000