| Athlone
Castle Visitor Centre, St. Peter's Square
Built in the 13th century to command the ford on the Shannon, Athlone Castle dominated the old town. A must for all visitors, the castle now features audio visual presentations on the regions wildlife and power resources of the Shannon, the life of Count John McCormack, and the famous siege of 1691. See below for related attractions such as the Aughrim Interpretative Centre and the Battle of Ballinamuck Centre.
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Clonmacnoise
Clonmacnoise is located near Shannonbridge, on the banks of the river Shannon. Founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century Clonmacnoise is Ireland's most widely known monastic site. During his visit to Ireland in 1979, Pope John Paul 11offered prayer in the ruins of the old Cathedral, which dates back to the 10th century. The new Visitor Centre offers a multi-lingual audio-visual presentation providing interesting facts on the original high crosses, Christian grave slabs and round towers that are to be seen. |
| Lockes Distillery
Located at Kilbeggan, Lockes distellery is a fully restored, working small pot still Distillery. With restored, original machinery at work you may follow the process of making triple distilled, Irish Whiskey. The museum offers an opportunity to learn about the lives and working conditions of the people that worked here and lived in the town of Kilbeggan and surrounding area.
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Dun na Si Folk Park Forget Riverdance, feel the real heartbeat of Irish culture at Dun na Si Folk Park. Located in Moate, just 11 miles from Coolamon, Dun na Si's folklore show offers a microcosm of Irish culture: music, song, dance and great craic. Experience Seisiuns and traditional Ceilis. The Folk Park - similar to Lockes museum offers a picture of bygone days and the type of life live in days of old.
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Birr Castle Birr, county Offaly, is situated on the banks of the River Camcor. The place name "Birr" originated in an Irish term probably used to describe this riverside position, though for many years the town was known as "Parsonstown", as Birr Castle was and still is, home to the Parsons family. Back in 1620 Sir Laurence Parsons was granted 1,277 acres of land and took possession of Birr town. The castle has grown since then and become famous for many things, but mostly for the telescope, which was the largest in the world for over 70 years and was constructed in the 1840s by the Third Earl of Rosse. It was recently restored and is in fine working order. |
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Battle of Aughrim Interpretative Centre Aughrim, Ballinasloe, Galway - on the main Galway – Dublin Road. Relive the bloodiest battle in Irish history fought in a small Connaught village. Move back in time and place to that fateful day in 1691 through an audio-visual show based on the moving account of Captain Walter Dalton who fought at the Battle of Aughrim. |
Battle of Ballinamuck Centre Located in the historic former R.I.C. barracks in Ballinamuck, is a lively exhibition which gives details of the Year of the French and the Battle of Ballinamuck in 1798. Having discovered the details you may tread the ground where the battle took place. |
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West Offaly Railway Bog Tour The Clonmacnoise and West Offaly Railway is located at Blackwater Works near Shannonbridge and provides a unique rail tour through the bog. The journey is 5.5 miles long and uncovers the past. present and future uses of the bog. Stop at our turf bank and see a demonstration in the traditional method of turf cutting. Tours run every hour 10am to 5pm. We are open from April to early October. For further information contact us at 0905 74114. www.bnm.ie |
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Roscommon Heritage and Genealogical Centre |
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Centre of Ireland Take a drive to Hodson bay and view Hodson's pillar, which marks the geographical centre of Ireland |
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Bogwood Sculpture Artists Bogwood is found in Irish Bogs where it has been preserved for 5,000 years. This wood was part of the great forest that covered the central plains of Ireland. Michael and Kevin Casey are artists who create beautiful sculptures from this wood. Their workshop and studio is beside Lough Ree on the River Shannon. Here the story of bogwood is told through video, photographs, charts and finally the finished pieces of sculpture. Contact: Michael Casey - 043-25297 |
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| Athenry
– Medieval Town with Arts and Heritage Centre Athenry, a medieval town situated 23km from Galway City is steeped in history. Founded in the 13th century by Meiler de Birmingham, who surrounded the town with a curtain wall with towers and a moat. It is the only walled town in Ireland whose still-intact walls are clearly visible to the approaching visitor |
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| Mill Museum Located in Tuam; this is the last surviving corn mill in the Tuam area. It closed as a working mill in 1964 - its machinery is still in place, however, so visitors can view the old milling process. This mill played a vital part in the life of the local community and a voluntary committee opened it as a museum in 1974. It also serves as a seasonal tourist information office. |
St. Jarlaths Wheel - Tuam Located beside the Catholic Cathedral in the North Galway town of Tuam. Tuam is also home to a 13th century parish church ruins and graveyard, located at Teampall Jarlath, High St. Tuam. |
| Live Entertainment If its exciting nightlife or just a cosy pint that you are after, the villages and major towns that surround Coolamon hold something for everyone. From traditional Irish pubs to modern clubs, there are choices plenty to pass the night away. |
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