Travel influencer shares Irish 'hidden gem' tourists must visit - but it's not for everyone
The Lady Travels, a popular travel influencer, has shared a stunning 'hidden gem' with her followers - a set of ruins that are a must-visit for tourists in the area
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A travel influencer has uncovered a "hidden gem", a breathtaking set of ruins that tourists in the area simply must see.
The Lady Travels, a content creator, posed the question to her followers: "Have you ever been to this hidden gem in County Waterford? You will find the remains of Ballysaggartmore Towers, which was constructed back in the 19th century as an entryway to what would have been a grand castle."
Tucked away near Lismore in Co Waterford are the Ballysaggartmore Towers, a pair of ornate Gothic-style gate lodges. They were erected in the 1830s by Arthur Kiely-Ussher, a well-off landowner, who dreamt of building a lavish mansion on his estate. Alas, the mansion itself never came to fruition, leaving only the gate lodges and a bridge, also known as the "Folly," as testimony to his ambitious project, reports the Irish Star.
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The influencer went on to describe the location as nestled amidst a stunning woodland trail, roughly 2km in length, offering tranquility due to its status as one of Waterford's more secluded paths.
Designed as the grand entrance to the never-built mansion, the towers boast a romantic and whimsical design complete with turrets, battlements, and intricate stonework.
Built during a period of significant economic hardship in Ireland, the opulence of the structures fiercely contrasts with the struggle experienced by the locals at the time.
Tourists have the chance to scale the towers, meander along the tracks, and bask in the stunning splendour of the landscape that enfolds them.
Described as "Ireland's best-kept secret" on TripAdvisor.com, the towers have garnered glowing reviews. An impressive 75 out of 100 reviews rate it as "excellent", with one commentator branding it "a monument to greed with nature slowly reclaiming it."
Another enthused: "The overall walk is about two kilometers of bliss." A third shared: "It is very quiet with only the sounds of birds and streams, bliss. The whole visit took me about three-quarters of an hour. I will return! ".