Birr Castle & Gardens – situated in the attractive
town of Birr, the castle withstood many sieges during the 16th
and 17th centuries. In 1845, the third Earl of Rosse built what
was at the time the largest telescope in the world, while the
fourth Earl was the first person to determine the temperature
of the moon. The 19th century landscaped castle gardens, containing
thousands of species of tress and shrubs are worth a visit in
their own right.
Charleville Forest Castle – located just southwest
of Tullamore, the castle was built in 1779 and features prominent
turrets and spires, clinging ivy and a medieval grotto. It is
regarded to be the finest Gothic Revival building in Ireland.
There are fifty-five rooms in all, as well as a magnificent gallery
running the whole width of the building.
Cloghan Castle – situated close to Banagher, this
12th century castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle
in Ireland. A 45-minute tour permits visitors to examine heavy
Cromwellian armaments and experience life as it was under Cromwell.
Clonmacnoise Ruins
Clonmacnoise – the burial place of kings and one of
the finest monastic sites in Ireland with a cathedral, church
and round tower on site. See the fascinating ruins, the famous
thousand-year-old cross and the most important collection of graveyard
tombstones in the country.
Durrow Abbey – situated close to Tullamore, this
was the source of the celebrated Book of Durrow, now in Trinity
College Dublin. The only surviving elements of the abbey, which
was plundered in the Dark Ages, are a 9th century High Cross,
St. Colmcille’s Well and a few tombstones. A Georgian mansion
and ruined 19th century church occupy the site today.
Historic Science Centre – situated in the stable
block of Birr Castle, the centre records the scientific achievements
of the Parsons family (Earls of Rosse) and of other Irish scientists
in the fields of astronomy, photography, engineering, botany and
horticulture.
The Haunted Leap Castle
Leap Castle – this former O’ Carroll family residence,
situated southeast of Birr, used to guard the valley separating
Munster and Leinster. Burnt down in 1922, the castle ruins are
today renowned for the smelliness of one of the ghosts that are
said to haunt it. It’s thought locally that Leap Castle is
the most haunted castle in Europe.
Tullamore Heritage Centre – located in the thriving
market town of Tullamore, the centre provides information on the
local history including details on how the town was plundered
by the Vikings and other interesting antiquities on offer. Information
is also available on the world-renowned spirits – Tullamore
Dew and Irish Mist.
