Choose Ireland » Cities and Towns

Crookedwood

Brian — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:57:10 +0000

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 of St. Patrick.
The village also features the Church of Taughmon, a stone church from the 14th century with a nearby ringfort.
Crookedwood House was formerly a rectory, now a comfortable restaurant with guest rooms and a breathtaking view of the lake, noted for its delicious and unusual culinary creations.

Mullingar

Brian — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:51:57 +0000

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 town is located along the Royal Canal, between Lough Ennel and Lough Owel.
Mullingar is an ideal base from which to visit the lush countryside of County Meath, and contains some interesting buildings, including the Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King, a Renaissance style church that features beautiful mosaics of St. Anne and St. Patrick created by Boris Anrep, a prominent Russian artist. Most of the buildings in this charming town date back to the 19th century.

Athlone

Brian — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:43:32 +0000

The town of Athlone is situated on the boundary of Counties Roscommon and Westmeath, along the River Shannon at the southernmost point of Lough Ree.
Proclaimed by the local government as belonging completely to County Westmeath, the town’s Irish name is Baile A’tha Luain, which translates to ‘ford of Luan’. Athlone was historically known as an important river crossing point, in fact, the only feasible ford for miles in either direction.
In the 12th century, a wooden bridge across the Shannon was erected, and Turloch Mor O’Conor constructed a fort to guard the crossing area. Later in the century, after periodic battles at the site, the Anglo Normans erected a fort in the motte-and-bailey style. A stone castle was finally built here in 1210 by John deGray.
Today’s Athlone is a thriving commercial centre, hosting major companies such as Ericcson, and is home to the popular Athlone College of Technology.
Leisure activities include visiting the many nearby historical attractions, and participating in river cruises and water sports on Lough Ree.

Strabane

Brian — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 16:45:59 +0000

Strabane is one of the larger towns in County Tyrone, rich in history and natural beauty. Its Irish name is an Straith Bhan, which translates into Fair River Valley, or White Strand.
The town includes two castles that were built and occupied around strange circumstances. Ogilby’s Castle was intended as the home of James Ogilby, but he decided to forego the family fortune for love of a girl who worked at a local factory. The regal home, built in 1860, was never occupied by the couple, which eloped and moved away to Derry.
Earl’s Gift Castle was begun in 1629 by Sir John Drummond in anticipation of his wedding to a French lady, but he died in a mishap at sea, and his wedding gift castle was never completed. It remains in its unfinished state to this day.
Also found in the Strabane area are the 14th century O’Neill castle known as Harry Avery’s Castle, and a ruin at Newtonstewart called Turlough’s Castle.
Strabane offers various cultural events throughout the year. The educational American Trail Tour traces the regional origins of prominent Irish-Americans, including James Knox Polk, who became the eleventh president of the United States. The tour passes through Polk’s ancestral home, which features a walled garden created in the 1700’s, a tearoom and a craft shop that displays the works of local artisans.
The American Trail Tour also includes the abode of Woodrow Wilson’s grandfather James. The president’s grandfather lived in this traditional thatched cottage, now open for public viewing.
An unforgettable feature in the town is the collection of five steel figures known by locals as the Tinneys. They stand 20 feet tall and were designed by Maurice Harron and erected at the border with Donegal on the site of what was once a British army base. There are two dancers, a flute player, a drummer and a fiddler.
During the period from the 1970s into the 1990s, Strabane was the location of many bombings, riots and attacks related to the Troubles. The permanent military presence of past decades is no longer necessary.

Carrick on Suir Heritage Centre

Brian — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:55:50 +0000

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, leaving the town only bounded by the Suir. Its records date back to 1247, when it was occupied by the Bottiler family, whose name later became Butler. The family was responsible for most of the large buildings located in the town, and later, in the 1600s, they initiated the wool industry here.
The following centuries witnessed the development of leather tanning, dairy and manufacturing industries, and the Heritage Centre displays relics of these phases of Carrick on Suir history. It also features a plate collection from Butler church and a Tourist Information Centre.
The adjoining churchyard contains many older graves, including the monument to Thomas Butler, the illegitimate son of the 10th Earl of Ormond of the same name. Also buried here is Dorothea Herbert, daughter of a rector, who wrote Retrospections. She lived from 1170-1829.

Tipperary Town

Brian — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:52:40 +0000

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 the banks of the River Ara, close to the hills surrounding the Glen of Aherlow, where beautiful climbing trails can be found.
The dairy farming town features an historic old Butter Market and many restored buildings located in the section called New Tipperary. This area was rebuilt by locals at the time of Ireland’s Land War in 1890-91.
Also located in Tipperary— the grave of Robert Emmett’s grandfather at the graveyard of St. Mary’s Church, Dalton’s Heritage House, and a statue of Charles Kickham. He was a 19th century novelist who wrote about forced emigration and how it adversely affected Tipperary in his book, The Homes of Tipperary.
St. Michael’s Church features a haunting stained glass window that pictures a World War I soldier killed during the fighting.
Genealogy buffs should visit the headquarters of Clann na hEirann, a premier research organization that gathers information on various surnames from all over Ireland.

Clonmel

Brian — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:48:20 +0000

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 was fortified in 1319, using money authorized by Edward II. In 1650, Cromwell’s forces tried in vain for nearly three weeks to gain entry into Clonmel before finally succeeding.
The town contains some architecturally interesting buildings, including:
• St. Mary’s Church of Ireland – a 13th century structure named in honour of Our Lady of Clonmel.
• The 1674 Courthouse Building
• The Franciscan Friary
• Town Hall
Many of the lovely older buildings around town are former churches that have been altered for use as theatres, galleries and for other public purposes. The County Museum and St. Patrick’s Church are also popular attractions for visitors to Clonmel. The latter features an interesting old stone cross next to the medieval church building, as well as a thriving spring known as St. Patrick’s Well.

Dromineer

Brian — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:46:57 +0000

Dromineer is a small town in the Shannon River Region of North Tipperary. Formerly called the Port of Ormond, it is famous for its harbour and marinas, and as the headquarters of the Lough Derg Yacht Club. The club was formed in 1836, making it the third oldest organization of its kind in the entire world.
Visitors enjoy cruises on the lake, overlooked by a 13th century castle that once belonged to the O’Kennedy clan. They also enjoy sunbathing, windsurfing and water skiing, as well as visiting the attractions on nearby piers.

St Louis Convent Heritage Centre

Brian — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 17:16:58 +0000

Located in Monaghan Town, this centre tells the inspiring story of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Louis, a religious order that served people throughout Monaghan County during the latter part of the 1800’s.
The order was founded in Juilly, France, by Baroness de Vaux, Mother Therese of the Cross, in 1842. Its intended purpose was to educate French children of noble lineage, and evolved to include the education of poor children in Europe, South America and Africa. Its namesake was Louis IX, the sainted King, and the Sisters of St. Louis also used his traditional symbols and designs, including the gold flame and fleur-de-lis.
The sisters came to Ireland in 1859 and proceeded to establish schools where they taught sanctification and salvation along with the everyday basics of reading, writing and mathematics. They worked to advance the cultural awareness of their students along with their level of education.
The Heritage Centre in Monaghan Town contains evidence of their legacy in the region in the form of documentation, scrapbooks, artifacts and other memorabilia. It also contains exhibits related to the order’s efforts to advance education and health care in Brazil, West Africa, California and several other countries in Europe.
Craftwork is also on display, including items from Africa and Brazil, as well as traditionally local Carrickamoss Lace, along with Beleek China and crocheted items from Clones.

Monaghan Town

Brian — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 17:14:53 +0000

Monaghan Town is the administrative centre for the county of the same name. With a population of about 6,000, it is known for its furniture, poultry and mushroom production.
The architecture of the town buildings is sturdy and elegant. The centre of town is built around a diamond-shaped green, in the manner of most towns established during the Plantation Period of Irish history by English and Scottish settlers.
Market Square is dominated by the Georgian era structure of Market House, which now serves as an arts centre for the community. The building features unique carvings on its exterior, which like many of its neighbouring structures, is made of classic limestone.
County Museum sits opposite the Market House, and is a major area attraction containing over 70,000 pieces pertaining to the history of County Monaghan.