04 Dec Discover the hidden treasures of the Emerald Isle , a blog by Catherine Lees
We would like to thank Catherine Lees at "www.worldgettingsmaller.com " for this superb blog...
General News
03 Dec Portumna , County Galway
Portumna is a market town and cruiser base at the head of Lough Derg. Portumna Castle , built in 1609 and destroyed by fire in 1826 , is under restoration. Near the castle demesne is Portumna Priory. Originally a Cistercian Church stood here but the present...
03 Dec Ardmore , County Waterford
This lovely village has the remains of a 7th century monastic settlement founded by St. Declan. The 97ft round tower which dominates the area was one of the last to be built in Ireland. Inside , ugly carved stone heads protrude from the walls. Ardmore is...
27 Nov Kilkenny City , County Kilkenny
One of Ireland's most attractive towns , where medieval lanes and buildings blend with Georgian elegance. The town initially grew round a monastery founded by St. Canice in the 6th century. The tower built on the same site four hundred years laer can be climbed...
21 Nov Roscrea , County Tipperary
A road passes between the remains of an Augustinian monastery , built in 1100. On one side is a round tower , capless since 1135 and missing 20ft since 1798 when a cannon mounted there backfired. On the far side of the road are the remains...
20 Nov Kenmare , County Kerry
The town was founded in 1670 on land given to Sir William Petty by the English government. The colonists fought off local attacks while they established a foundry and set up a fishery but were finally forced to flee when the town was besieged by...
19 Nov Devenish Island , Lough Erne , County Fermanagh
The monastery here was founded by St. Molaise in the 6th century , and the impressive remains include a 12th century church , oratory and tower. Further along the Island are the ruins of the later Augustinian Abbey of St. Mary and graveyard. Though founded in...
16 Nov Monaghan , County Monaghan
The county town has some remains of a 15th century friary near The Diamond. The nearby ornate Victorian drinking fountain is a memorial to a Baron Rossmore. A museum tracing the history of the St. Louis order and the county is housed in the St....
13 Nov Ballinrobe , County Mayo
The town , on the Robe River , and near both Lough Mask and Lough Carra , is a popular angling base. On its outskirts are the remains of a 14th century Augustinian friary. About 4 miles South West is Lough Mask House. This was the...
12 Nov Galway City , County Galway
The chief town of Connacht , and a thriving industrial and university town. It has become home to a very lively arts movement , which includes the Druid Theatre , An Taibhdhearc , and Macnas , which stages spectacular street pageants. The town began with the...