This ecclesiastical site near Athlone was founded in the mid fifth century by St. Rioch. Of all the original buildings, only the ruins of two churches still exist.
In the northern church, the nave, transept and sacristy survive. The sacristy was added onto the church, probably during the 15th century, along with the transept and [...]
Renovated in 1976, the church at Multyfarnham Franciscan Friary encompasses portions of an original 15th century structure, such as the tower and nave. In 1827, the church was rebuilt around these older portions. This friary represents the only building of the monastery to survive, as the chancel and domestic outbuildings have all disappeared.
The Franciscans started [...]
This ancient town is steeped in old Irish folklore, including the story of the Children of Lir. It is said that they lived as swans on nearby Lough Derravaraugh for nearly 300 years of the 900-year sentence imposed by their wicked stepmother, until a holy man changed them back at some point during the lifetime [...]
Pewter craft has been in existence for more than 800 years in Ireland, and it is still practiced at Mullingar Bronze and Pewter Centre.
In the earliest times, pewter was popular for use in making candlesticks, cups, plates and other tableware. It was originally used mostly by the rich, popular at castles and in homes of [...]
Mullingar is County Westmeath’s largest and most important town. The area is historically famous as a centre for beef production and trade, much of it supplied by the many cattle farms in the surrounding countryside.
The Irish expression “beef to the ankle, like a Mullingar heifer,” a polite reference to an overweight woman, originated here. The [...]
This centre dedicated to the history and culture of southern County Tipperary is located in a restored Protestant church. The site was formerly occupied by Carrick Mor church, prior to the Reformation.
The town itself was originally called Carrig Mac Griffin, and was actually located on an island until the small rivers surrounding it were diverted, [...]
This farming town sits at the edge of the Golden Vale, a fertile farming plain that covers much of County Tipperary. The name of the town, as well as that of the county, comes from the Celtic ‘Tiobraid Arann’, which means ‘the well of Era’, or the River Ara. Tipperary Town is located on [...]
Originally the site of a Celtic monastery or hermitage, Holy Cross Abbey was established in 1169 according to the Cistercian Rule by King Donal O’Brien. The Cistercian Tradition, first brought from France to Ireland by St. Malachy, had spread rapidly upon its arrival in Ireland, and the original Holy Cross monks came here following the [...]
Clonmel is the county town of Tipperary in southeastern Ireland and is widely known as a popular centre for shopping. It is also the largest town in Ireland that is not a port or harbour.
Clonmel is first mentioned in Irish historical records in 1185 as a manor ruled by Lord William Fitzadlem de Burgo.
The town [...]
Sacred Heart Church is the most prominent building in the town of Roscommon. It is made entirely of local stone. Construction began in 1903 and was completed in 1925.
The spire of the church rises 25 m and seems even taller as the building stands atop a small hill. The front is adorned by a small, [...]