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Athenry
Mediaval
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.
Athenry is one of the most notable medieval
walled towns surviving in Ireland, owing
its foundation to Meiler de Bermingham
who built his Castle there c.1250. The
great three-storey tower, surrounded
by defensive walls, is entered at first-floor
level through an unusual decorated doorway.
Recently re-roofed, the interior contains
an audio visual room and exhibition.
Aughnanure Castle Galway - Oughterard
Built by the O’Flahertys c. 1500, Aughnanure Castle lies
in picturesque surroundings close to the shores of Lough
Corrib. Standing on what is virtually a rocky island,
the Castle is a particularly well-preserved example of an Irish
tower house. In addition, visitors will find the remains
of a banqueting hall, a watch tower, an unusual double
bawn and bastions and a dry harbour.
Dun Aonghasa - Inishmore, Aran Islands
Perched spectacularly on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic
ocean, this is the largest of the prehistoric stone
forts of the Aran Islands. It is enclosed by three massive
dry-stone walls and a "chevaux-de-frise" consisting
of tall blocks of limestone set vertically into the
ground
to deter attackers. The fort is about 900m from the
Visitor Centre and is approached over rising ground.
Teach an Phiarsaigh (Patrick Pearse's Cottage)
Rosmuc
A small restored cottage used by
Patrick Pearse (1879 – 1916)
leader of the 1916 Rising, as a summer residence. The
interior, although burned during
the War of Independence, has been
reconstructed and contains an exhibition and a number
of
momentoes of Pearse.
Aughnanure Castle
; Oughterard, Co Galway
Built by the O'Flahertys c. 1500, Aughnanure
Castle lies in picturesque surroundings close
to the shores of Lough Corrib. Standing on
what is virtually a rocky island, the Castle
is a particularly well-preserved example of an
Irish tower house. In additio
More information on Aughnanure Castle
Dunguaire Castle
; Kinvara, Co. Galway
The castle, which overlooks Galway, is a 16th
century castle. From April to September the
castle comes alive with medieval banquets,
which feature a theatrical performance
involving rhyme, verse music and song. The
castle has a crafts shop and visitors sh
More information on Dunguaire Castle
James Mitchell Museum
Department of Geology, National University of
Ireland, Galway, Co Galway
The James Mitchell Museum is housed in the
Department of Geology, National University of
Ireland, Galway. It opened in its present form
in 1977. The museum serves as a display area,
a teaching facility and a repository for
research and teaching.
Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden
; Connemara, Co Galway
Kylemore Abbey is home to the Benedictine Nuns
and an International Girls School. The castle
and church are Neo Gothic in design. The Irish
Benedictine nuns came here in 1920, having
fled from their convent in Belgium in 1914
during World War I.
Mill Museum
; Tuam, Co. Galway
Visitors can see the milling process that was
employed as all the old machinery is still in
place. This mill played a vital part in the
life of the local community. It also serves as
a seasonal Tourist Information Office. No
admission charge.
More information on Little Mill
Portumna Castle
The great semi-fortifed house at Portumna was
built before 1618 by Richard Burke or de Burgo,
4th Earl of Clanricarde. There are exhibitions
in the castle and Gate House. Guided tours of
the gardens and part of the castle are
available on request.
Spiddal Craft Centre
Drawing their inspiration from the landscape
and culture of the Gaeltacht of Connemara, the
crafts people who work, display and sell their
products at the Spiddal Craft Centre produce a
range of handcrafted quality products.
Turoe Pet Farm and Leisure Park
Turoe House, Bullaun, Loughrea, Co Galway
The Turoe Pet Farm and Leisure Park form a
surround for the Turoe Stone, a rare National
Monument dating back to the first or second
century B.C. This granite rock, exquisitely
decorated with curvilinear designs in the
Celtic art style.
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