monuments ireland

This impressive national monument on the southern side of the island ( 2.5km west of Cill Eanna) stands on the edge of the great cliffs. Its approaches are so well guarded by natural defences and by achevaux-de-frise, that it must have been well-nigh impregnable.

A century ago, Dr John O' Donovan measured the remains of the wall left after many cliff falls since its construction over 2000 years ago, and concluded that it was perhaps the biggest fort on the island at one time, though it...

In the Bawn, off Markyke Street, a bronze plaque marks the birthplace of John Count McCormack, the celebrated tenor. A bust in his memory may be seen at the promenade....

The statue ot Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole (1772-1842), one of Wellington's generals in the Peninsular War, stands on top of a Doric column. The spiral staircase to the top is closed off so it is not possible to share his panoramic view of the lakes - nor for that matter to examine too closely Sir Galbraith who is holding a fearsome looking cavalry sabre in his left hand....

Patrick Kavanagh was born 21st October 1904 in Iniskeen, County Monaghan. He was educated locally and later worked on his father's farm which he described in some of his works.
Kavanagh's first book "Ploughman and other Poems" was published in 1938, followed by two novels "The Green Fool" and "Tarry Flynn", both considered to be classics.

The following year Kavanagh went to Dublin where he supported himself as a literary journalist contributing articles the "The Bell", "Envoy" and...

Donaghmore, site of an Early Christian settlement. A fine round tower from the tenth century remains. The doorway, twelve feet from the ground, has inclined jambs and a semicircular head; on the keystone is scultpured a figure of a crucified christ, and on each side of the architrave is a sculptured human head. There are also some remains of a 15th century church near by....

Padraig Pearse's Cottage; In the townland of Tuar Loch, Rosmuc is the cottage of Padraig Pearse, one of the executed leaders of the 1916 Rising. He came on holidays here and also to learn the Irish language. Here he wrote most of his works, including the O'Donovan Rossa graveside oration (1915). The cottage is now a national monument, open to the public during the summer....

Those from near and far have heard about Galway’s Spanish Arch. Located where Galway’s River Corrib meets the sea, this is a tranquil spot.
The remainder of a 16th century bastion, the Arch added to the town's walls to protect merchant ships from looting.
The Spanish Arch is so called due to Galway’s merchant trade with Spain, whose Galleons often docked under its protection.
On leaving Galway, you certainly won’t forget the beautiful Spanish Arch!...

The centre of the walled city the Diamond was once occupied by the Town Hall but since 1927 it has been the site of the War Memorial. The bronze statues and portland stone which stand 40ft high and 27ft wide are in memeory of those from Derry who fought and lost their lives during World War 1 1914-1918. Each year the November Poppy Day Parade commemorates the war heroes and the memeory of all who last thier lives. Open All Year....

This national monument is named after Saints Fursa, Conall, Bearchan and Breandan of Birr. It stands near the village of Cowrugh, 1km west of Eochaill, and is a small 15th century building. Outside there is an enclosure called - Leaba an Cheathrair - on which there are four great flagstones, marking the graves of the saints, while to the south of the church is a holy well.

A few fields west are graves marked by plain pillar stones: also in the vicinity is the ruinous Clochan an Phuca,...

The 'Royal County' of Meath boasts a dramatic history and proud heritage that no other country can match. Man has settled here for over 8,000 years and everywhere one turns one can see surviving monuments and relics scattered profusely beside the rolling rivers and on the lush plains. Formerly one of the five historic provinces of Ireland, it was from here that the ancient roads of Ireland radiated, spreading Royal Meath's influence and affluence to all the corners of Ireland....