From www.bruff.demon.co.uk: "Nestling in the centre of the Golden Vale, so called for its rich and fertile limestone pasture-lands lies Bruff, a peaceful little town steeped in ancient history. Bru Na nDeise, to give it it's Gaelic name, translates as the mansion or fort of the Deise who were an ancient Irish tribe inhabiting lands near Trim in County Meath in the 6th century AD. Some of the tribe moved south and made their stronghold at Bruff while others settled in County Waterford. The Deise were known for their agricultural knowledge and farming skills, some historians say that the word Deise means " head of corn ". Situated 15 miles due south of Limerick City and 5 miles north of Kilmallock, Bruff; is surrounded by countryside of great natural beauty. To the north is Lough Gur, a horseshoe shaped lake bounded on three sides by hills and a haven for water fowl and varied wild life. A wealth of antiquities have been unearthed on the lake shore, and on the hillside of Knockadoon remains of Neolithic dwellings exist. Dolmens, old burial sites and Crannogs, lake dwellings are to be found near Knockfennel while on the west side of the lake is a Stone Circle said to be one of the largest in Ireland. Bourchiers Castle a very well preserved 15th century edifice stands within a hundred yards of the shore. Lough Gur is also associated with the legend of the last of the Desmonds an all powerful family in Munster in the 12th century There is an information centre that has lots of ancient relics as well as literature that helps the visitor to a better understanding of the antiquity of the lough."