County Roscommon - Heritage/Historical<< Roscommon Homepage |
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| Here's a selection of Roscommon Heritage/Historical.Click on the 'Go to ALL' link to get the full list. |
1. Homes |
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Strokestown Park House & Famine MuseumMr Stephen Campbell , Co. RoscommonAt the end of Ireland's widest main street - laid out by the 2nd Lord Hartland as the widest street in Europe - a Georgian Gothic arch leads to Strokestown Park House, seat of the Pakenham Mahon family from 1600 to 1979. The house was designed for Thomas Mahon in the 1730s by the German architect Richard Castle and incorporates parts of an earlier tower house. The central block is the residential part of the house. The north wing houses Ireland's last galleried kitchen (a gallery in the kitchen allowed the lady of the house to observe the culinary activity without ever having to feel a part of it) and the south wing is the elaborate vaulted stable described by one observer as 'an equine cathedral'. The house is now owned and managed by Westward Garage Ltd. the company which bought the house intact with its contents in 1979. Complementing the formal reception rooms downstairs are the more intimate children's rooms upstairs; a bedroom, school-room, and fully equipped nursery. In the study a selection of documents dealing with the potato famine. (The Great Hunger) of the 1840s is on view. Show me all the details for Strokestown Park House & Famine Museum | |
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2. Interpretative Centre |
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Dr. Douglas Hyde Interpretative CentreDeirdre O'Gara , Co. RoscommonPORTAHARD CHURCH AND INTERPRETATIVE CENTRE Portahard Church of Ireland was built in 1740 and restored in 1riginal function was preserved and an Interpretative Centre telling the life-story of Dr.Douglas Hyde (1860-1949) was installed. Dr. Hyde's contribution to modern Ireland is highlighted in the exhibition by the use of informative charts, maps and photographs. Through audio-visual material you can capture the spirit of his dream and celebrate the achievements of one life dedicated to one vision. Also on display is the original letter nominating him as first President of Ireland, signed by members of the two main political parties in Dail Eireann - Fianna Fail and Fine Gael - along with many other items of historical interest. The Interpretative Centre is accessible to people with disabilities. Ample parking for coaches and cars is provided and there is a picnic area in Gairdin An Chraoibhin. The Sheepwalk Restaurant is situated across the road and is open from 10 am to 10 pm Monday to Saturday and 12 noon to 9 pm on Sunday. Coach tours welcome. Show me all the details for Dr. Douglas Hyde Interpretative Centre | |
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3. Castles (Historical) |
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Lough Key Forest ParkCo. RoscommonComprising some 350 hectares of mixed woodland, a lake and a number of islands, Lough Key constitutes one of the most extensive and picturesque landscaped caravan and camping park, nature walks, a bog garden, observation tower, ice house, wishing chair and underground tunnels. The park was formerly part of the Rockingham estate and there is a wealth of historical and archaeological points of interest, principally the ruins of a McDermott castle and two medieval priorities, one on Trinity Island and the other on Church Island. Boating, walking trails and a restaurant are some of the amenities in this fine park which is situated on an island studded lake of great beauty. Return to Carrick on Shannon. | |
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4. Heritage Centres |
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King HouseCo. RoscommonRoscommon County Council, recognising the historical, architectural and cultural importance of King House, began the restoration project in 1989. Using highly skilled artisans and local craftsmen employing traditional techniques and materials all three floors and the basement have been impressively restored. Of particular note are the main entrance gallery with its tripate windows and original fireplace, the extensive vaulted ceilings on all floors and the splendid main salon which is in use once again as a superb venue for recitals and banquets. Since 1788, when the King Family moved to Rockingham, the house has been used as a military barracks - recently by the Irish Army but originally by the Connaught Rangers who fought bravely and with honour until, while in India, they heard of the atrocities being committed back in Ireland by the 'Black and Tans' and mutinied. The other rooms in the house are used for important temporary exhibitions and these are open to visitors, usually at no extra charge. KINGS OF CONNAUGHT - using dynamic special effects and sound, visitors are led through a series of stunningly created tableaux and encouraged, with interactive pieces, to experience life as it was in the house and in the locality. The displays, ranging all over the floors, cover four main themes; - The Kingdom of Connaught - from the earliest recorded times showing the importance of the clans and their Kings. - The King Family - meet the families who lived in the house from Sir John King who came to Boyle in 1603 to the fascinating accounts of life, both for the family and the staff, at Rockingham Estate, now Lough Key Forest Park. - The Restoration - a room has been left partially-restored so that visitors can see the fabric of the house and with the aid of photographs and models see the skill and craft employed in the building and restoration. - The Military Usage - From 1788 until recent times. | |
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5. Archaeological |
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Rathcroghan and Glenballythomas earthworksCo. RoscommonThis 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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6. Castles (Historical) |
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Lough Key Forest ParkCo. RoscommonComprising some 350 hectares of mixed woodland, a lake and a number of islands, Lough Key constitutes one of the most extensive and picturesque landscaped caravan and camping park, nature walks, a bog garden, observation tower, ice house, wishing chair and underground tunnels. The park was formerly part of the Rockingham estate and there is a wealth of historical and archaeological points of interest, principally the ruins of a McDermott castle and two medieval priorities, one on Trinity Island and the other on Church Island. Boating, walking trails and a restaurant are some of the amenities in this fine park which is situated on an island studded lake of great beauty. Return to Carrick on Shannon. | |
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7. Crosses (Historical) |
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Emlagh CrossCo. RoscommonThe 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. | |
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8. Museums |
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Strokestown Park House & Famine MuseumMr Stephen Campbell , Co. RoscommonAt the end of Ireland's widest main street - laid out by the 2nd Lord Hartland as the widest street in Europe - a Georgian Gothic arch leads to Strokestown Park House, seat of the Pakenham Mahon family from 1600 to 1979. The house was designed for Thomas Mahon in the 1730s by the German architect Richard Castle and incorporates parts of an earlier tower house. The central block is the residential part of the house. The north wing houses Ireland's last galleried kitchen (a gallery in the kitchen allowed the lady of the house to observe the culinary activity without ever having to feel a part of it) and the south wing is the elaborate vaulted stable described by one observer as 'an equine cathedral'. The house is now owned and managed by Westward Garage Ltd. the company which bought the house intact with its contents in 1979. Complementing the formal reception rooms downstairs are the more intimate children's rooms upstairs; a bedroom, school-room, and fully equipped nursery. In the study a selection of documents dealing with the potato famine. (The Great Hunger) of the 1840s is on view. Show me all the details for Strokestown Park House & Famine Museum | |
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9. Monastic Sites |
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ArdcarnArdcarn, Co. RoscommonA 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. | |
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10. Stones (Historical) |
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Casltestrange Decorated StoneCo. RoscommonA 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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11. Jails (Historical) |
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Roscommon CastleCo. RoscommonRoscommon 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. | |
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12. Abbeys |
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Boyle Cistercian AbbeyBoyle, Co. RoscommonOne of the best preserved in Ireland, this Cistercian Abbey was colonised from Mellifont in 1161. the building of the chancel, and the transepts with their side-chapels, must have begun shortly after this date, though the lancet windows in the east gable were inserted in the 13th century. There is an interesting combination of rounded and pointed arches in the transepts and crossing. The large square tower formed part of the church from the beginning, though it was raised in height at a later stage. The five eastern arches of the nave and their supporting pillars were built at the end of the 12th century, and have well-preserved capitals typical of the period. Although built at the same time, the arches of the northern side of the nave are different in type, and have differently shaped columns and capitals. The three westernmost arches in the south arcade, with their attractive leafed and figured capitals, and the west wall were built after 1205 but before the church was finally consecrated in 1218. Nothing remains of the cloister, but on the eastern side there are two doorways of c.1200, now blocked up, while on the west side there is a two-storey gatehouse, which acts as an interpretative centre. The rest of the buildings surrounding the cloister are largely 16th or 17th century in date. The Abbey was one of the most important in Connacht, and was invaded by Richard de Burgo and Maurice Fitzgerald, and Justiciar, in 1235. In 1659, the Cromwellians occupied the monastery and did a great deal of destruction. | |
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13. Friaries |
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Roscommon Castle and FriaryCo. RoscommonThe 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. | |
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14. Churches (Historical) |
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The Sacred Heart ChurchRoscommon, Co. RoscommonThe 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. | |
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15. Hills (Historical) |
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KnockcrogheryCo. Roscommon(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. | |
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16. Farmsteads |
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Tullyboy Animal Farm Visitor CentreTullyboy, Co. RoscommonMatt & Eileen O'Dowd will give you a personal guided tour of their farm. Set in a beautiful location, with views of the Curlew and Arigna Mountains, Animal Farm is centred around an 18th century farm house. The open farm introduces the family to caring coutry life. Being a dairy farm, all the modern sophisticated techniques of milk production are on display, as are the machinery and methods housed in the past. Pony rides, the Beech Nature Trail, Pets Corner, old farmhouse kitchen and museum, duck pond, playground and picnic area are other attractions. A gift shop offers a wide variety of gifts & mementoes of the farm and the old world tearooms is an ideal place to catch your breath. Threshing weekend and Barn Dance held annually. (Usually Aug. Bank Holiday weekend). Audio visual and worksheet material is supplied to students on educational tours. Show me all the details for Tullyboy Animal Farm Visitor Centre | |
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