| Roscommon - Heritage / Historical | ||
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Here's a selection of Roscommon heritage / historical, if you want the full list, Click on the "Go to ALL" link on the right. |
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| Roscommon - Heritage / Historical | ||
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Here's a selection of Roscommon heritage / historical, if you want the full list, Click on the "Go to ALL" link on the right. |
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| 1.Abbeys | Go to ALL Abbeys in Roscommon |
| Boyle Cistercian Abbey Boyle, Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 12497 when making a Reservation. |
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| 2.Archaeological | Go to ALL Archaeology in Roscommon |
| Rathcroghan and Glenballythomas earthworks Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 13455 when making a Reservation. |
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| This place is tentatively acclaimed to have been the inauguration place of the Kings of Connacht. The site covers an area of about 2 square miles, and consists of a great number of earthworks of different kinds, varying from a large mound (possibly a Passage-tomb which, like the Mound of the Hostages at Tara, C. Meath (q.v.), is much older than the royal site) to square, round, oblong and irregularly shaped enclosures. One of these is called the Cemetery of the Kings, and there is also a 7-foot high standing stone said to mark the grave of King Dathi, the last pagan king of Ireland who was killed by lightening in the Alps. The stone is situated in the middle of a ringfort. Not too far from the cross-roads in various directions are a number of ringforts. To the south of the main group of monuments, and also spread over a wide area, are a number of degenerate megalithic tombs. | |
Show me all the details for Rathcroghan and Glenballythomas earthworks |
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| 3.Castles (Historical) | Go to ALL Castles (Historical) in Roscommon |
| Ballintober Castle Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 13423 when making a Reservation. |
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| Shortly after the Norman invasion, Ballintober became the chief seat of the O'Conors of Connacht, but the castle was probably not built till around 1300. The castle is nearly square in plan, with an open courtyard in the centre and a strong polygonal tower at each corner. In the east wall there are two projecting turrets which guarded the entrance. The whole castle was surrounded by a water-filled moat. The castle was taken by another branch of the O'Conors in 1315, and was besieged and burnt a number of times again before 1500. In 1627 the north-western tower was partially rebuilt, as an inscription on a fireplace on the second floor shows. The castle was held by the O Conor Don until 1652 when it was taken by the Cromwellians. But it was restored in 1677 and lived in until the last century. | |
| 4.Churches (Historical) | Go to ALL Churches (Historical) in Roscommon |
| The Sacred Heart Church Roscommon, Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 12855 when making a Reservation. |
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| The Sacred Heart Church dominates the town. The church spire is 52m high. Built of local cut stone and opened in 1903, it was completed in 1925. The church is built on rising ground and fronted by a sunken grotto. Over the main door is a fine example of mosaic, carried out by the Italian firm of Salviate, depicting two bishops of Elphin connected with the erection of the church. The interior is equally impressive and contains a replica of the Cross of Cong (in Galway). This was in fact made in Fuerty in 1120-1123 and should really be called the Cross of Roscommon. | |
| 5.Crosses (Historical) | Go to ALL Crosses (Historical) in Roscommon |
| Emlagh Cross Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 13464 when making a Reservation. |
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| The shafts and head of one or two crosses, possibly of 11th century date. The decoration is well executed, and presents a fine study in loosely knit geometrical interlacing patterns. | |
| 6.Farmsteads | Go to ALL Farmsteads in Roscommon |
| Tullyboy Animal Farm Visitor Centre Tullyboy, Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 13433 when making a Reservation. |
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Show me all the details for Tullyboy Animal Farm Visitor Centre |
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| 7.Friaries | Go to ALL Friaries in Roscommon |
| Roscommon Castle and Friary Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 13465 when making a Reservation. |
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| The Castle: this Norman castle was built by Robert de Ufford, Lord Justice of Ireland, in 1269. But it passed into Irish hands seven years later when it was taken by Hugh O'Conor, King of Connacht. It was restored in 1280. The O'Kellys gained possession of the castle in 1308 when Donogh O'Kelly slaughtered many of the inhabitants. But the O'Conors took it again in 1341. Taken by the Earl of Kildare on an expedition to Connacht in 1499, it was granted to Mac William Bourke in 1544, and taken once again in 1569, this time by Sir Henry Sidney. Sir Nicholas Malby, Governor of Connacht, probably took it over in 1578. The castle surrendered to the Confederates under Preston in 1645, but they in turn had to surrender it to the Cromwellians under Reynolds in 1652. The castle is quadrangular in shape with rounded bastions at the corner, and a double-towered entrance gate, as well as a rectangular gate tower in the west wall. After 1578 Sir Nicholas Malby carried out extensive alterations and inserted a number of mullioned windows as well as adding a number of buildings on the north side of the castle. Dominican Friary: The Friary was founded for the Dominicans by Felim O'Conor, Lord of Roscommon, in 1253 and was consecrated in 1257. The church originally consisted of one long aisle. The original lancet windows in the east and west walls were replaced in the 15th century by traceried windows which have largely disappeared, but those in the south wall are still preserved. The north transept was added in the 15th century. The most remarkable feature of the Friary is the effigy of Felim O'Conor in a niche in the north wall near where the altar stood. The effigy, carved between 1290 and 1300, has been placed upon a later 15th century tomb with 8 mail-clad warriors (7 with swords, and one with a battle axe) in niches with angels above them. On the opposite wall are traces of another 15th century tomb. | |
| 8.Heritage Centres | Go to ALL Heritage Centres in Roscommon |
| King House Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 13436 when making a Reservation. |
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| 9.Hills (Historical) | Go to ALL Hills (Historical) in Roscommon |
| Knockcroghery Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 13475 when making a Reservation. |
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| (Cnoc an Chrochaire), the Hangman's Hill, is so called from an elevated mound east of the village, which was once a place of execution. The village was once noted for the manufacture of clay pipes from clay imported from England. | |
| 10.Homes (Historical) | Go to ALL Homes (Historical) in Roscommon |
| King House Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 13436 when making a Reservation. |
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| 11.Interpretative Centre | Go to ALL Interpretative Centre's in Roscommon |
| King House Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 13436 when making a Reservation. |
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| 12.Jails (Historical) | Go to ALL Jails (Historical) in Roscommon |
| Roscommon Castle Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 13466 when making a Reservation. |
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| 13.Monastic Sites | Go to ALL Monastic Sites in Roscommon |
| Ardcarn Ardcarn, Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 13443 when making a Reservation. |
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| A monastery was founded here in the 6th century and at the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1111 Ardcarn was chosen as one of the five dioceses of Connacht. At the Synod of Kells in 1152, it was amalgamated with Elphin, Roscommon and Drumcliff to form the present diocese of Elphin. From 1144 there was a convent of Arrosian nuns at Ardcarn. It was the leading sheep and wool market in Connacht: Arthur Young described the plains of Boyle as the biggest sheep walk he had ever seen. | |
| 14.Museums | Go to ALL Museums in Roscommon |
| The Old Schoolhouse Museum Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 13478 when making a Reservation. |
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| The schoolhouse, which dates form 1929, captures the atmosphere of a classroom in the embryonic Irish state and reflects a period in Irish education which straddles two centuries. The memorabilia, period school furniture, school work books, readers and photographs are complemented by a 3-dimensional display, showing models of a school teacher and pupils of the 1920s. The Craft Shop/Art Gallery has a large selection of quality paintings, giftware and knitwear, most of which were produced in the county. Home baked produce and an open turf fire will further stimulate the nostalgia and the taste buds in the lovely Tea Room. Groups and school tours catered for by prior arrangement. Worksheets provided. | |
| 15.Stones (Historical) | Go to ALL Stones (Historical) in Roscommon |
| Casltestrange Decorated Stone Co. Roscommon Please quote reference number 13446 when making a Reservation. |
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| A small, rounded stone decorated with incised curvilinear ornament in the Celtic La Tene style. It probably dates to the last few centuries B.C. and was probably ritual in purpose. Together with the stone at Turoe, Co. Galway (q.v.), it is one of the best of the Celtic decorated stones of Europe. | |
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Copyright Touchtel 1995 - 1998 |
The special atmosphere of Ireland's countryside has a lot to do with its traditional way - the feeling of contact with older wisdoms. In the farms of the countryside, especially, there is a continuity of love for the land and its domestic animals. Farming is still a family affair, with a lifestyle that respects old courtesies and the habit of kindness to strangers.
King House, built by Sir Henry King about 1730 is a house of unique architectural and historical importance.
Situated on the Boyle River, within the town of Boyle, it occupies land formerly controlled by the MacDermot Clan and is the most important provincial town house in Ireland.
Home to the Connaught Rangers regiment from 1788 and the Irish Army since then, recent extensive restoration has brought King House back to its former glory.
With the aid of exciting special effects and life size models in recreated scenes you are taken back through the long and compelling history of the house and the people who lived in the area.
Every opportunity has been taken, with the use of interactive displays, to ensure that visitors - children and adults alike - are able to experience life as it was for the people who occupied the house and lived and worked locally.
Roscommon Castle to the north of the town was built by the Normans in 1269 and four years later was captured by the Irish and raised to the ground, to be rebuilt in 1280. In the spacious main street is the beautiful renovated Bank of Ireland which was once the courthouse and afterwards served as the Catholic church until 1903.