Douglas Hyde Interpretive Centre
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 Dáil Éireann – Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael – along with many other items of historical interest.
The grounds of the building have been tastefully landscaped and include Garden an Chraoibhín. The trees and shrubs in the Garden have been selected with reference to old Irish folklore, each plant illustrates part of an ancient Calendar Alphabet System.
Una Bhan Rural Tourism
www.unabhan.net
Una Bhan is a Tourism One-Stop-Shop providing an Approved Accommodation Booking Service, Traditional Craft Shop, Tailored Holiday Packages,Information on all Attractions & Activities in Boyle, County Roscommon & surrounding areas.
www.strokestownpark.ie
The Irish National Famine Museum. Strokestown Park is a unique visitor attraction in Strokestown. Co Roscommon comprising of Strokestown Park House, a Georgian Palladian mansion preserved with its original furnishings and fabrics, which can be seen daily by guided tour. The House was the family home of the Packenham Mahon family and is built on the site of the 16th century castle, home of The O Conor Roe Gaelic Chieftains. The Landlord Major Denis Mahon was assassinated in November 1847 at the height of The Great Famine of Ireland and it is fitting that The Irish National Famine Museum was established at Strokestown Park in 1994 using the unique original documents that came to light during the restoration of The House.
The six acre walled pleasure gardens have been restored to their original splendour and give an insight into horticultural design and architecture from the 1740′s to the present day.
www.kinghouse.ie
King House is a magnificently restored Georgian Mansion located in Boyle, County Roscommon. It was built in the early 1700′s for Sir Henry King, whose family were one of the most powerful and wealthy in Ireland.
After its first life as a home, King House was converted into a military barracks in the 19th century for the famous Connaught Rangers regiment. At the end of Civil War in 1923 the barracks passed into the control of the newly formed Irish Free State Army.
Following many years as a merchant’s store, King House was saved from demolition in the late 1980s and restored to its former Georgian style by Roscommon County Council.
Marvel at the grandeur, savour the magnificence of the period rooms, or just have fun exploring our interpretive exhibitions designed for both adults and children alike!
Children Playing
Writing with a quill and ink or building a brick vault are just some of the many things to do, and a tour of King House would not be complete without a visit to the cold and forbidding jail cells!
www.glendeerpetfarm.ie
Glendeer Pet Farm is an award winning 12 acre open farm situated in the heart of Ireland. Glendeer provides a safe and carefree environment for children of any age.
The farm itself comprises of 6 acres and an additional 6 acres of a nature walk.
The farm has over 50 species of animals but new ones are always arriving! Glendeer Farm is a fantastic day out for families, groups and school tours. It is both fun and educational and a great opportunity to interact with both farm & exotic animals. Children are provided with a bag of food to feed the goats,
sheep, emu, donkeys, cows, llama and lots more animals.No matter what the weather conditions are, there is always something to do as there is a lot of facilities undercover.Visit the indoor farm pets, the indoor Skywalk play area and the coffee shop which all provide shelter and entertainment.
Located in St. John’s Church, Strokestown. This former Church of Ireland built in 1819, is on the site of an earlier church dating back to 1754. The Centre offers a family research service to people with Co. Roscommon roots who are anxious to trace their ancestry. It has built up a comprehensive database relating to the area including church and civil records, census records and land records. The cost of this service varies and is dependent on the dates that records begin in each parish, the size of the family and the quality of information provided by the client. Each enquiry is commenced with an initial assessment, which will establish the overall cost of the research
1km north west of the town and well worth a visit is the recently restored 18th Century Windmill – perfectly located to harness the winds sweeping over the plains of Boyle. Unusual features are a thatched revolving roof and sails that are turned into the wind using cartwheels on a circular track.
Originally used for grinding corn by the local landlord and now back in full working order, this is the only working windmill in the West of Ireland.
Restoration work started in November 1992 and was carried out by trainees under a FAS Community Youth Training Scheme. Hollywood film star Gabriel Byrne, whose mother hails from the parish of Elphin, officially opened the mill.
www.derrygladfolkmuseum.com
No trip to the midlands is complete without a visit to the Derryglad Folk Museum, which is hidden in south Roscommon in a land of lakes and rivers.
The collection deals with Farm & Folk life in Ireland from the 18th century to the recent past.
The museum is privately owned and run by the Finneran Family and houses a unique 25 year collection of over 5,000 items. These include; horse-drawn machinery restored to the original working order, tradesmans tools and buttermaking equipment.
For those with an interest in the lifestyle of bygone days, the Museum hosts laundry memorabilia, old and rare washing machines, 1930′s old-style thatched bar & grocery, old-style sheep shears, radios, gramophones and a large collection of 78rpm records, shop dockets and bill-heads, sports display McCormack’s photography room where the contents include dark rooms finishing r D & P line, camara’s enlargers and B & W colour processors. as well as much, much more.
Donamon Castle is one of the oldest inhabited buildings in Ireland. There was a fortress here from earliest times, but the earliest recorded reference is in the Annals of the Four Masters for the year 1154. The castle was the seat of the O’Finaghty’s, the Chiefs of clan Conway, which clan held the land for miles round about. The Castle was attacked, destroyed, occupied and repossessed many times in the course of the next 500 years
In 1939 the Divine Word Missionaries bought the property. The grounds were a wilderness and the Castle was in a ruinous condition. Great hardship was suffered by the first community and matters were made worse by the fact that it was cut off by the war from its sister-houses on the Continent. The Castle is now home to a small number of Divine Word Missionary priests. The former seminary now houses ‘Cuisle’ – a respite centre and holiday home for disabled people.
www.cruachanai.com
Rathcroghan, County Roscommon – one of the ‘Celtic Royal Sites’ of Ireland has been recognised by UNESCO in 2010 as having the potential for World Heritage Status. In coming years, the Rathcroghan Royal Complex will stand alongside Newgrange and Tara as a place through which Irish and international visitors can connect with our ancient past.
Rathcroghan was the seat of Royalty in the West of Ireland for nearly 2000 years. Here, you can explore Irish history through the ages; walk the land of Celtic Warrior Queen Maeve, see where the great bulls fought their epic battle in the Cattle Raid of Cooley, follow the Druid’s quest for knowledge to the sacred triple spring of healing, stand where the Gaelic Kings stood to fight invading tyranny and receive their rightful crowns.
Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre interprets for you the Rathcroghan Complex, an area with over 200 sites and many stories. including Oweynagat (Cave of the Cats) the entrance to the Celtic Otherworld and home to the Goddess Morrigan; which is located between Cashel Mannannan – a druid school connected with Manannán Mac Lír – and Cruachan, the home of Warrior Queen Medb (Maeve Queen of Connacht) who started The Cattle Raid of Cooley (an Táin).