PLEASE NOTE: Due to the current pandemic some items may be marked out of stock on the website. Please bear with us and thank you for your patience.
BREXIT UPDATE We have temporarily suspended orders from the UK while we update our systems.

Nicholas Mosse
  • Reviews (★★★★★ 3,398)
  • Rewards
  • Wishlist
  • Gift Registry
  • Sign in
  • Home
  • Tableware ▾
    • Bowls ▸
      • Tiny Bowls
      • Small Bowls
      • Medium Bowls
      • Large Bowls
      • Salad Bowls
      • Pasta Bowls
      • Pasta Server
      • Fruit Bowls
      • Vegetable Bowls
      • Small Angle Bowls
      • Large Angled Bowls
      • Lidded Sugar Bowls
      • Everyday Bowls
    • Mugs ▸
      • Espresso Cups
      • Small Mugs
      • Large Mugs
      • Tall Mugs
    • Jugs ▸
      • Tiny Jugs
      • Small Jugs
      • Small Cylinder Jugs
      • Medium Jugs
      • Large Jugs
      • XL Jugs
    • Plates ▸
      • Serving Plates
      • Everyday Plates
      • Lunch Plates
      • Side Plates
      • Tiny Plates
      • Tiny Heart Plates
      • Medium Heart Plates
      • Small Rectangular Plates
      • Medium Rectangular Plates
      • Large Rectangular Plates
      • Nest of Rectangular Plates
    • Serving ▸
      • Small Cafetiere
      • Large Cafetiere
      • Coffee Pot
      • Shallow Dish
      • Oval Platter
      • Oval Dish
      • Cake Plate
      • Presentation Platter
      • Teapots
    • Serving Accessories ▸
      • Tile Trivet
      • Covered Butter Dish
      • Chef Set
      • Stackable Eggcup
      • Butterpat
      • Double Dipper
      • Pepper Cruet
      • Salt Cruet
      • Ramekin
  • Homeware ▾
    • Vases ▸
      • Small Tapered Vase
      • Large Tapered Vase
    • Storage Jars ▸
      • COOKIE JARS
      • Small Round Lidded Jar
      • Country Crock
    • Reversible Candlesticks
    • Reversible Candlestick and Candle
    • Ovenware ▸
      • Custard Cups
      • Classic Pie Dish
      • Quiche Dish
      • Small Oval Oven Dish
      • Medium Oval Oven Dish
      • Small Oval Pie Dish
      • Large Rectangular Dish
    • Lamps ▸
      • 5" Lamps
      • 7" Lamps
    • Shades
    • Dog Bowl
    • Utensil Holder
    • Textiles ▸
      • Apron
      • Jar Cover
      • Gauntlet
      • Placemat
      • Tablecloth
      • Tea Cosy
      • Tea Towels
      • Runners
  • Gifts ▾
    • Holidays ▸
      • Valentine's
      • St Patrick's Day
      • Mother's Day
      • Easter
      • Christmas
    • Gift Cards
    • Gift Sets
    • Special Events ▸
      • Birthdays
      • Graduations
    • Children
    • Weddings ▸
      • Wedding
      • Engagement
      • Anniversary
    • Pet Lovers
    • Hostess
    • House Warming
    • Coffee Addicts
    • Tea Fanatics
    • Food Lovers
    • Corporate Gifts
    • By Price: Low-High
  • Patterns ▾
    • Reindeer
    • Winter Robin
    • Fuchsia
    • Forget Me Not
    • Old Rose
    • Lawn ▸
      • Red
      • Green
      • Dark Blue
      • Light Blue
      • White
    • Clover
    • Wild Flower Meadow
    • Clematis
    • Apple
    • Landscape ▸
      • Sheep
      • Assorted Animals
      • Farmhouse
      • Cow
      • Pony
      • Hen
      • Cat
      • Dog
      • Duck
    • Sheepies
  • Shapes ▾
    • Bowls ▸
      • Tiny Bowls
      • Small Bowls
      • Medium Bowls
      • Large Bowls
      • Salad Bowls
      • Pasta Bowls
      • Pasta Server
      • Fruit Bowls
      • Vegetable Bowls
      • Small Angle Bowls
      • Large Angled Bowls
      • Lidded Sugar Bowls
      • Everyday Bowls
    • Mugs ▸
      • Espresso Cups
      • Small Mugs
      • Large Mugs
      • Tall Mugs
    • Jugs ▸
      • Tiny Jugs
      • Small Jugs
      • Small Cylinder Jugs
      • Medium Jugs
      • Large Jugs
      • XL Jugs
    • Plates ▸
      • Serving Plates
      • Everyday Plates
      • Lunch Plates
      • Side Plates
      • Tiny Plates
      • Tiny Heart Plates
      • Medium Heart Plates
      • Small Rectangular Plates
      • Medium Rectangular Plates
      • Large Rectangular Plates
      • Nest of Rectangular Plates
    • Cake Plate
    • Classic Pie Dish
    • Large Rectangular Plates
    • Teapots
    • Lamps ▸
      • 5" Lamps
      • 7" Lamps
    • Cookie Jars
    • Lidded Sugar Bowl
    • Coffee Pot
    • Custard Cups
    • Double Dipper
    • Oval Platter
    • Small Oval Pie Dish
    • Medium Oval Oven Dish
    • Large Rectangular Dish
  • New Items 2020 ▾
  • Menu
  • Nicholas Mosse
  • Cart
  • Home
  • Tableware +
    • Mugs +
      • Small Mugs
      • Large Mugs
      • Tall Mugs
    • Bowls +
      • Tiny Bowls
      • Small Bowls
      • Medium Bowls
      • Large Bowls
      • Salad Bowls
      • Pasta Bowls
      • Pasta Server
      • Fruit Bowls
      • Vegetable Bowls
      • Small Angled Bowls
      • Large Angled Bowls
      • Lidded Sugar Bowl
      • Everyday Bowls
    • Plates +
      • Serving Plates
      • Everyday Plates
      • Lunch Plates
      • Side Plates
      • Tiny Plates
      • Tiny Heart Plates
      • Medium Heart Plates
      • Small Rectangular Plates
      • Medium Rectangular Plates
      • Large Rectangular Plates
      • Nest of Rectangular Plates
    • Jugs +
      • Tiny Jugs
      • Small Jugs
      • Medium Jugs
      • XL Jugs
      • Small Cylinder Jugs
    • Serving +
      • Small Cafetiere
      • Large Cafetiere
      • Coffee Pot
      • Shallow Dish
      • Oval Platter
      • Oval Dish
      • Cake Plate
      • Presentation Platter
      • Teapots
    • Serving Accessories +
      • Butterpat
      • Chef Set
      • Covered Butter Dish
      • Double Dipper
      • Pepper Cruet
      • Ramekin
      • Salt Cruet
      • Stackable Eggcup
      • Tile Trivet
  • Homeware +
    • Vases
    • Storage Jars
    • Lamps +
      • 5" lamps
      • 7" lamps
    • Shades
    • Dog Bowls
    • Cookie Jars
    • Ovenware +
      • Custard Cups
      • Classic Pie Dish
      • Quiche Dish
      • Small Oval Oven Dish
      • Medium Oval Oven Dish
      • Small Oval Pie Dish
      • Large Rectangular Dish
    • Reversible Candlesticks
    • Reverse Candlestick & Candle
    • Utensil Holder
    • Textiles +
      • Apron
      • Jar Cover
      • Gauntlet
      • Placemat
      • Tablecloth
      • Tea Cosy
      • Tea Towels
  • Gifts +
    • Weddings +
      • Wedding
      • Engagement
      • Anniversary
    • Holidays +
      • Christmas
      • Valentine
      • St Patrick's Day
      • Easter
      • Mother's Day
    • Gift Sets
    • Pet Lovers
    • Special Events +
      • Birthdays
      • Graduation
    • Hostess
    • House Warming
    • Coffee Addicts
    • Tea Fanatics
    • Food Lovers
    • Children
    • Gift Cards
    • Corporate Gifts
    • By Price - Low to High
  • Patterns +
    • Old Rose
    • Climbing Rose
    • Landscape +
      • Sheep
      • Assorted Animals
      • Farmhouse
      • Cow
      • Pony
      • Hen
      • Cat
      • Dog
      • Duck
    • Fuchsia
    • Lawn +
      • Green
      • Red
      • Light blue
      • Dark Blue
      • White
    • Wild Flower Meadow
    • Clematis
    • Clover
    • Forget Me Not
    • Apple
    • Sheepies
    • Woodland
    • Reindeer
    • Winter Robin
  • Shapes
  • NEW ITEMS 2020
  • Reviews (★★★★★ 3,398)
  • Rewards
  • Wishlist
  • Gift Registry
  • Sign in
Home › News, Recipes and more... › EXPLORING THE LOCAL AREA WITH SUSAN MOSSE
News, Recipes and more...

EXPLORING THE LOCAL AREA WITH SUSAN MOSSE

June 20, 2016

EXPLORING THE LOCAL AREA WITH SUSAN MOSSE

Kilkenny is a vibrant area, with fascinating heritage, beautiful riverside walks, great food and great shopping. However, while Kilkenny City is worth a good day of wandering, I prefer to guide my friends to other delights found deep in the countryside. Different visitors love different things and so below, I have gathered some fun ideas for all sorts of people:
 
For the History Fanatic
The local area has always been fairly prosperous due to its rivers, its agricultural prowess and even its benign weather. As a result, it’s full of historical delights! First on the not to be missed list is Jerpoint Abbey, an old Cistercian Abbey. Nearby is Jerpoint Park, where you can continue your journey and learn about an old medieval village. Kells Priory to the west is a truly stunning set of towers set into an unspoiled Irish village. My local Kilfane Long Man also fits in here as he (an imposing stone gravestone) dates back to the Crusades. For more from this period, check out the Kilbline Round Tower, a great example of this architecture, found near our pottery in Bennettsbridge.
 
For Sporty People
I take these visitors to Mt. Juliet where they can play a friendly round of golf, or simply enjoy a meal and drink in the bar overlooking the course (residents can avail of all sorts of activities such as fishing, archery, horseback riding, etc…). Bicycle tours are also becoming popular and bikes can be rented in Kilkenny. There are plenty of possible routes, with help from various operators who will pick you up at the end. It’s a great way to get a strong, slowly gathered impression of the area. Moreover, a newly created River Nore swimming hole in Thomastown should please the aquatic lovers.

The Romantics
Two river walks have been set up in recent years; one from Kilkenny to Bennettsbridge and one over in Graiguenamanagh. These trails are perfect for easy, dawdling conversation and walking. I feel I must also include our garden Kilfane Glen and Waterfall here, as many a romance has blossomed during walks through our woods or by our stream. In fact, many couples come back to have their wedding pictures taken by the waterfall.
 
For Children
Just down the road from the pottery is an open farm, Nore Valley Park, which has animals and all sorts of fun activities for all ages. As a certified granny, I can testify to its value in the entertainment sector! But on a humbler, more inexpensive scale, there is now a fabulous new playground in the middle of our little village of Bennettsbridge, where all are welcome.
 
Shoppers
Well of course I must mention our wonderful Irish Country Shop in Bennettsbridge, with its cafe, car park, shopping, etc. But there are other little gems around here too. Thomastown is a remarkable village with antique shops, food shops and restaurants, a chocolatier, a craft shop and welcoming pub life. Farther south of this town is Jerpoint Glass Studio which is always worth a look, as everyone becomes entranced by the glass making process. Another local craft of longstanding repute is Cushendale Woollen Mills, over in Graiguenamanagh, where wools are spun and dyed and woven on the spot. It’s called ‘shopping at source’!
 

 

My Personal Faves

I have some visitors due this weekend and just to show how manageable a country spin can be, here is the route I’ll propose to them when they arrive:

1.  Begin in Bennettsbridge in the Pottery, to learn how we craft our goods and explore the bargain section.

2.  Drive down to Thomastown to check out the local artisanal shops and the swimming hole. If there’s an exhibition on in the Craft School, we’ll stop by. Next, we’ll make sure to sample the Truffle Fairy chocolates and maybe indulge in one of their amazing hot chocolate drinks. If we’re still hungry, the Blackberry Cafe, Cafe Sol or the Watergarden Cafe will take good care of us.

3.  After enjoying good food we’ll drive south a bit out of town and stop at the ancient Jerpoint Abbey to explore and enjoy the history.

4.  Then we’ll drive on a bit and turn off for Mt. Juliet and Jerpoint Glass studio. The fish farm on the left will be a good place to pick up picnic supplies. We’ll stop by the Glass workshop first and then head into Mt. Juliet. After parking in the golf area we’ll visit the bar and conservatory. (Coffee and pub grub are available here and the wifi is terrific.) We’ll leave through the gate into Thomastown so we can see the thoroughbred horses.

5.  If my guests aren’t totally overwhelmed at this stage we’ll drive to Kells to see its old towers and mills. If the sun is going down, so much the better. But you could always save this for the next day! My visitors will also be staying in the cottage home, in Kilfane, so they can enjoy this garden at their leisure.

 

I hope this inspires you to plan a trip to Kilkenny’s countryside – it truly is a breath-taking area! 


Tweet Share Pin It Add Email



Also in News, Recipes and more...

Berry Bird Mug and Plate
Birds and Berries

December 18, 2020

Ornithologists among you will have correctly identified the bird on our newest pattern as the Cardinal.

Continue Reading

Stackable eggcup and inlay of chef set Light a candle blog Nicholas Mosse Pottery
Light A Candle

October 20, 2020

While Spring is traditionally the time for nesting, at this autumnal moment in the calendar it seems apt to put some energy into our homes and to make ‘hibernation preparation’ so we can hunker down very cosily for winter

Continue Reading

Pesto Sauce in Blue Tulip bowl Nicholas Mosse Pottery handcrafted spongeware Ireland
Pesto Power

September 29, 2020

So, maybe there’s no basil available, or no pine nuts to come by, both of the traditional elements in pesto. But you will be able to find many alternatives that are easy to sub in - there are endless pesto experiments to be done! 

Continue Reading

Back to Top
Nicholas Mosse

  • Home
  • Shop Now
  • Our Story
  • Behind the Scenes
  • Visit Us
  • Blog
  • Gift Cards
  • Rewards Club
  • Happy Customers
Useful Links

  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Our Shop & Café
  • Corporate Commissions
  • Q&A with Nicholas Mosse
  • Delivery & Returns
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
  • FAQ
Sign up for our Newsletter

Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …

About Us

Nicholas Mosse Pottery was established by Nicholas Mosse in 1976 after periods of training in England and Japan. His mission was to produce beautiful, functional pottery in the style of Irish Spongeware. Irish spongeware was the traditional pottery of Ireland used in the 18th Century. It was mainly made in simple honest shapes with a decoration applied with a cut sponge.
Social




Address

Nicholas Mosse
Bennettsbridge
Kilkenny
Co. Kilkenny  
Ireland

Eircode: R95 CK71

Phone: +353 56 7727505

Email: eshop@nicholasmosse.com

Sat Nav: 52.589668 , -7.185601 

Irelands Ancient East

© 2021 Nicholas Mosse.

Built by Milk Bottle Labs.

American express Apple pay Google pay Maestro Master Paypal Shopify pay Visa Shopify secure badge

Don't miss out !

See behind the scenes, receive special offers and be the first to find out about new exclusive shapes and patterns (we will never share your details).