12.
Landscape and Visual
12.3
Existing Environment
12.3.1
General Character of the Constraints study area
The 'Atlas of the Irish Rural Landscape'1 identifies the southern
study area at the south-eastern corner of the Central Lowland
Area, within a sub-classification known as the 'Southern Hill
and Vale Area'. The study area is close to the upland 'Caledonian
Province of the south-east', where the overall landscape falls
westward and southward and is interrupted by a number of detached
hill and mountain blocks.
The southern section study area tends to have an elevated
or upland edge with wide lowland river valleys through the
centre, all of which falls into 2 distinct character areas:
- The
Lowland river valleys of the Barrow, Nore and Suir
- The
South Kilkenny Hill Area
12.3.2
Landscape Character Areas
Barrow, Nore and Suir River Valleys
The landscape associated with the river valleys is typically
low lying being generally under 100m. The land south of Kilkenny
City is generally flat to gently undulating in character and
rises up to the South Kilkenny Hills south of Thomastown.
The Barrow Valley in particular, is broad (as it combines
with the Slaney Valley to the east) and well drained with
a limestone substrata which is characteristically fertile
and well suited to a range of agricultural and horticultural
uses. The influence of the river Barrow as a major transport
waterway in the past has contributed to the quality of associated
architecture of the riverside properties providing the base
for numerous country houses, demesnes and estates.
The
Nore Valley between Bennetsbridge and Inistiogue is an area
with a rich agricultural heritage and this is reflected in
the size and frequency of long established large estates spread
throughout this area. The impact of these estates has left
the area with a strong landscape character of open parkland
and scenic views. The Suir Valley close to Waterford City
is a wide fertile valley and has a traditionally been associated
with dairying and more recently with fruit and horticultural
nursery stock production.
South Kilkenny Hills
The South Kilkenny Hills appear as a continuation of the Comeragh
and Blackstair Mountains and are divided by the Barrow, Nore
and Suir river valleys. Most of the high areas and the narrow
steep sided valleys of the Barrow and Nore have been excluded
from the Constraints study area as part of the Major Constraints
phase.
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