Get active at Longueville
As befits an award-winning restaurant venue, many of Longueville’s activities focus on food. But there are plenty other ways to enjoy yourself, from fly-fishing to hunting to mountain biking and hearty walks across the Nagle Mountains and the Boggeraghs.
- Skip to: Spend a Day at Longueville
- Skip to: Holistic Massage
- Skip to: Fishing
- Skip to: Horse Racing
- Skip to: Hiking
- Skip to: Mountain Bike Trails
- Skip to: Ballyhass Lakes Activity Centre for Children
At Longueville, events are as seasonal as the food. There will be a dawn chorus in May, mushroom hunts in October, concerts and evening suppers in summer, game dinners in winter. At Christmas, the house comes alive, with luncheon parties and fashion shows. We even host pre-Christmas shopping evenings, where designer vendors set up shop inside the house and we open our doors to throngs of dedicated shoppers. With nibbles, canapés and a glass of bubbly, it’s the perfect outing for friends, family and work colleagues to get together and dive into the Christmas spirit.
Horse lovers will find the Duhallow Hunt, one of oldest in the British Isles and Ireland, right on the doorstep, as is the Cork racecourse at Mallow, making Longueville an ideal stopover for owners and trainers. One of Ireland’s largest show jumping event venues at Millstreet is less than 45 minutes away.
During the winter months you have a choice of several point-to-point race meetings on local farms.
Spend a day at Longueville
Spending a day at Longueville is as easy as it’s enjoyable. Choose from game shooting, fly-fishing, or just short walks around the wooded estate.
For the more energetic, let us pack you a wholesome lunch while you tackle one of the area’s many trails. Then, as dusk falls, return to the house for a relaxing bath, supper and an evening in the drawing room, sipping home-made artisanal liquors in front of a roaring log fire.
Holistic Treatments
Unique Fusion of Eastern & Western Massage Techniques provided to you in the calm & privacy of your own room.
Deep Tissue Massage with Warm Herbal Oils
Pleasure and therapy combined, this treatment is excellent for deep release of muscular and joint tensions all over. The oils calm the mind and nourish the body and skin. Has a strong detoxifying effect. 60 minutes - €75
Reflexology with aromatherapy moisturising creams
Massage of the reflex points on the feet. This stimulates healing of the whole body. Very grounding, relaxing and energising. 1 hour - €75
Indian Head Massage
Perfect for stopping the restless mind. Release tensions on the head, neck, shoulders, upper back and face. Uses pressure point therapy and relaxing massage techniques for restoration of the brain and nervous system. 1 hour - €75.
Booking Policy
To avoid disappointment, holistic treatments should be booked well in advance, preferably at time of room reservation. All treatments booked need to be guaranteed by client's credit card details. These details will be taken at the time of room reservation by hotel receptionist. To avoid cancellation charges, holistic appointments must be cancelled 24 hours prior to arrival date to avoid penalty charges of 50% per treatment booked which will be levied onto guest bill.
Fishing at Longueville House
The fishing season opens at Longueville House on 01st February and it closes on 30th September annually. Longueville House is approx. 50 miles from the sea. In recent years we have had some good runs of spring salmon during the month of April and the beginning of May.
The type of fishing allowed on our stretch of river is fly only or artificial bait such as Toby’s, Flying © or Devons.
For fly-fishing, a double-handed rod is best. Fly sizes, 4,6 & 8 are best suited here. The best flies to use are Shrimp, Garry Dog, Cascade, Willie Gun and Thunder & Lightning.
For spring fishing the best lines, a full sinking or a sink tip.
For summer salmon or grilse fishing we normally get a good run of fish in June & July, depending on the volume of rain. We recommend using smaller baits & flies, in sizes 10 & 12. Light tackle & a floating line are for better sport during the summer fishing.
During the month of September we also get a good run of autumn fish. We have a very good stock of wild brown trout, which can be very good, particularly, if the salmon is not..
All fishing tackle and Ghillie can be supplied & arranged if required when given a little notice.
Charges:
A rod licence (statutory) can be supplied by the hotel to our guests at €36.00 per day as Longueville House Hotel is a distributor of rod licences.
The fishing fee is €85.00 per rod per day for resident guests & is charged to the hotel guest account. Juvenile fishing fee is €26.00 per rod. Trout Fishing fee is €30.00. For “Non Residents”, Salmon fishing fee is €100.00 & Trout fishing fee is €50.00
NB: Ghillie/Fishing Guide fee is paid directly to the Ghillie by the Guest. This fee is €100.00 per day from one to four rods and €75.00 for half a day.
Horse Racing
Cork Racecourse Mallow, situated on the banks of the Blackwater, the crossroads of Munster and Home of National Hunt racing and is only 2 km from Longueville House.
With 19 national hunt and flat meetings all year round Cork Racecourse provides the facilities to enjoy the excitement and spectacle of a day at the races.
Whether you are an occasional racegoer, or racing is your passion, a day at the races is unlike any other sporting event. At Cork Racecourse Mallow you will enjoy your day to the full and feel part of the fun, excitement, colour and ‘craic’ that is racing in Ireland.
Enjoy the spectacle of the parade ring and the weigh room. Feel the tension build in the betting ring as the bookmakers call out the ‘odds’ and compete for your attention before the races begin. Then pick your spot to watch the horses race to the finish as the ground rumbles and cheers of the winning punters fill the stands. Enjoy all this in the surroundings of this wonderful facility.
Hiking
http://www.ballyhourabears.com
For the more active, there are many designated longer-distance walking trails within 25 minutes, including the Duhallow Way, The Blackwater Way, The Ballyhoura Way, the Nagle Mountains and the Boggeraghs. Bike, walk or climb − the choice is yours.
Mountain Bike Trail Network
Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trail Network is the largest trail network of it’s kind in Ireland and provides many options for off-road cycling in the mountains. Located on the Cork/Limerick borders, it is only a half hours drive from Longueville House. Forest road climbs lead you into tight twisty singletrack with loads of ups and downs, tight turns and technical rocky bits. The trails range from a moderate 6 kilometre Greenwood loop to the demanding Castlepook loop, over 50 kilometres in length! Read the detailed trail information signs at the trail head to pick the one most suitable for you. Tough forest road climbs are rewarded with swoopy, fast descents guaranteed to leave you smiling! The trails are laid out in as ‘stacked loops’ - this means that each loop leads onto the next and rejoins it on the way back. The loops are waymarked in one direction – just pick the colour of the loop. Each of the loops here presents riders with a combination of narrow singletrack and boardwalk sections and also has sections of forest road climbing over short or quite long distances – this means that the outward and inward legs of one loop forms the access and return to the next loop. The grading system used here indicates the minimum level of fitness and competence required for each loop.
The trail can be quite exposed on the upper slopes and can be very windy in poor weather – dress accordingly. The trail system, designed by one of the world leaders in the sport, is a challenging, one-way system constructed to give a challenging and rewarding ride. Please ensure you are equipped fully to undertake this adventure sport and respect other trail users at all times.
Ballyhass Activity Centre
Why not entertain the children at local Ballyhass Lakes. A superb location in the heart of Munster and is ideally located to Longueville House being only several minutes drive away! After a delicious breakfast in Longueville, pack them into the car, (we'll give you driving directions) & within 10 minutes you're there! The children are amused & challenged for the day & parents get some down time to themselves. Later that evening on returning to Longueville, the children clean up & have tea at 6.00pm and hopefully for you, later to bed, exhausted but with a real sense of achievement.
The following is a range of activities based at Ballyhass lakes duing summer camp months (July & August). During summer camp courses can be booked on a daily basis. Outside those months a group of 6 is usually required on a pre-booked basis for all activities except fishing which can be done at any time:
Outward Bound
New since 2009, a module to provide all the skills for an outward bound trips. Learn how to pitch a tent, pack a rucksack in the most efficient way, light a camp fire, bake your own bread and lear a few camp fire and marching songs.
Kayaking
Have fun on the water learning to kayak in one of a fleet of ‘Frenzy sit ons’. The crystal clear spring waters of the lakes are the ideal venue to start your kayaking adventure with our fully qualified instructors guiding you every step of the way.
Rock Climbing
Exceed your personal goals, scaling the limestone quarry faces, safe in the knowledge that qualified instructors will be there with you every inch of the climb. There are routes to suit every ability and provide all the safety equipment required.
Raft Building
Your team will have to earn components to build your own raft by completing a series of challenges, then assemble your own raft to your design and test it out on one of the lakes.
Abseiling
Jumping backwards down a cliff face. Are you up to the challenge? Trust yourself with fully qualified instructors as you test your nerve
Archery
Try your hand at this ancient sport and hone your coordination, balance and self control. Archery instructors will help develop your skills and add some games and competitions too!
Trout Fishing
Ballyhass has two lakes, one for bait and spinning which is ideal as an introduction to Trout fishing for any age group. The main lake is for fly fishing only and will challenge even the most experienced angler. All equipment and bait can be supplied from the angling shop and pavilion
Low Ropes Challenge Course
Explore aspects of team dynamics and learn about yourself and others in your team. Each activity has it’s own unique learning outcome however as a course you will explore trust, communication, goal setting and self confidence among many others.
Aeroball
Basketball and volleyball mixed on a trampoline? This has to be seen to be believed. Groups are organised into teams and compete with one another to win the tournament. A certain level of fitness is required for the sport of Aeroball although no experience on a trampoline is required.
Team Challenges
Planning, co-operation, motivation, support and determination are just some of the skills you may display and develop tackling specially designed team challenges.
