Houses » Ballin Temple Cottages and Fishery
Ballin Temple Cottages & Fishery is comprised of charming self-catering cottages in Co. Carlow, Ireland with panoramic views of Mount Leinster, offering the finest sport fishing for Salmon & Trout on the River Slaney.
Ballin Temple is an ancient site of natural beauty and sanctuary settled by the Knight Templars centuries ago. It has been in the Butler family for over 300 years and three generations of the family are involved in it today. The river passes through ancient woodlands and our lodge and cottages are on the hillside with panoramic views of Mount Leinster and the Blackstairs mountains. Refurbished traditional cottages originally built around 1850 offer a secluded retreat while the farmhouse, rebuilt, in 2003, offers guest accommodation in a home like setting.
Home cooking sustains anglers and nature lovers. In season our organic garden provides delicious fruit and vegetables. The bedrooms are well furnished and comfortable. The lodge has a communal dining room, living room, small library and rod room. The cottages share a rod room too. They have their own stoves and fireplaces and a ping pong table.
Ballin Temple is ideal for getting away from it all. A personal retreat at Ballin Temple, away from the bustle of towns, will refresh your soul. As well as a private beat and home grown food, we can offer private yoga lessons with Pam and (by arrangement) courses on fishing, cooking and other pleasures. Other activities within half an hour's drive include golf, shooting, riding, hiking, mountain hiking and swimming.
Dublin airport to the north and Rosslare harbour to the south are 90 minutes' drive away.
The Fishing
The Ballin Temple salmon beat is one of the only private beats in Ireland. Our salmon catch records are on hand and date back over 75 years, they make fascinating reading.
The beat covers three miles in a Special Area of Conservation. The river banks are maintained for trout fishing in the summer and the ancient woods bounding the river offer varied bird life and rare flora and fauna. A fishing hut provides shelter and a meeting point for lunch. The beat includes over 20 named pools, all of which have yielded fish. A maximum of six rods ensures a variety of scenery and opportunity. The river does not require waders.
Fishing starts in March and the best salmon fishing is from March to May. In recent years there have been runs of sea trout in late June and early July. Brown trout can be had throughout the season and are used to stock a small lake near the cottages. Late evening fishing in the summer is a treat.
Expert ghillies are available and a selection of local flies plus other tackle and fishing permits may be obtained in Tullow (15 mins drive). Some equipment is available for those not having their own.
