around avoca

Among the many walks or short drives from Avoca village are 1. Go past the Catholic Church and out via Sulphurbrook and Kilmacoo, turn left at Kilmacoo Cross, through Conary village; turn left at next crossroads to the Motte Stone, a glacial boulder of granite about 10 feet high by 14 feet by 10 feet perched on the summit of a hill over 800 feet high. From the top of the stone there is an extensive view of the valley. 2. From Avoca village turn left at Ballygahan Garage up Red Road via Ballygahan and Ballymurtha. Keep right at Ballymurtha and follow Mines Road, meeting the main road again at Kilcashel (opposite White Bridge). The enormous Bell Rock gets its name from the bell that was rung there to call the miners to work. Two miles (3km) south of Avoca is Woodenbridge, a village pretttily situated at the junction of three river valleys. It is where the Aughrim and Avoca Rivers form a second 'Meeting of the Waters' . There is golf (9) and a trout farm that is open to the public.