A remarkable haven of peace, colour and great garden design. Mature gardens with some wonderful trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Very easy to follow guide with map. Delightful views down the Blackwater Valley. A most pleasant 90 minutes. The house is open to 13.00 from mid-July to end August, but we arrived a little too late to tour inside. My one qualification is that I am not sure how child-friendly the place is

When you pass through and see the beautiful village of Lismore and its surroundings, I strongly suggest that you take a little swerve up to Cappoquin. At first glance, you might decide to drive straight through heading towards the beautiful seaside town of Dungarvan or stop by Mount Mallory. But I encourage you to rest a while and visit Cappoquin House, a magnificent 18th century Georgian home in the ownership of the Keane family. Rather than going into details about the house, its history and the family who continue to reside there, I will leave that to the charming Sir Charles Keane, who will enthrall you with facts, details and everything there is know about this enchanting place. He will also explain the ties between his family and Mount Mallory, which is only a 10min drive from Cappoquin. The beautiful gardens are not to be missed and although they are a sight to be enjoyed all year round, they are in full bloom during the late spring and high summer season. I am not exaggerating when I say that there is something magical about this house and its gardens; and you will no doubt feel a sense of peace and tranquility about it. Although not a requirement, I would recommend that you call in advance, if possible, as it would be a shame to miss the pleasure of meeting Sir Charles personally. Cappoquin also boasts a private and exclusive guesthouse and restaurant. Either prior or after your visit, you might wish to make a brief stop at Barrons Bakery for a sweet or savoury treat. But without a doubt, Cappoquin House was definitely the icing on the cake on this trip. Five stars.