Places to visit

Ardmore Ogham Stone

The ruins of St Declan's Cathedral is on a hill above the village of Ardmore, County Waterford, Ireland (Irish: Aird Mhór, Contae Phort Láirge, Éire).The two fifth century Ogham stones are in the remains of St Declan's Cathedral. St Declan lived in the late fourth and early fifth centuries. On the west of the site is a twelfth century round tower of about one hundred feet in height. The two Ogham stones have inscriptions; the one standing at about four feet high is in an arch shaped niche in the choir and the script is a dedication to 'Lugaid' and the other in the northwest corner stands taller and translates 'the beloved'.

Labbacallee Wedge Tomb - Leaba Chaillí

Labbacallee wedge tomb (Irish: Leaba Chaillí) is a located about 8 km (5.0 mi) north-west of the town of Fermoy (Irish: Mainistir Fhear Maí) and 2 km (1.2 mi) south-east of Glanworth, County Cork, Ireland (Irish: Gleannúir, Contae Chorcaí, Éire). This is the largest Irish Wedge Tomb consisting of three very large capstones with a big rectangular chamber with a smaller one behind a slab. The walls are very thick with a capstone sloping downwards at the back. In front there is a large rectangular antechamber. It is estimated to date from about 2300 BC.

Blarney Dolmen Portal Tomb and Blarney Castle Gardens

Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) and gardens are in the town of  Blarney (Irish: an Bhlarna), approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) north-west of the city of Cork, Ireland (Irish: Corcaigh, Éire). The gardens of Blarney Caste cover 60 acres of parklands which include gardens, avenues, arboretums and waterways. Within the grounds of Blarney Caste are the remains of what could be a portal tomb. There is some doubt if this a dolmen or a natural feature. It is in the rock close part of grounds of Blarney Castle  which are well worth visiting.

Blarney Castle - Caisleán na Bhlarnan

Blarney Castle - Caisleán na Bhlarnan

Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is the historic seat of the The Muskerry McCarthy's a branch of the MacCarthy Mor dynasty. There have been previous castles on this site dating back to the tenth century. In the early thirteenth century the previous wooden structures were replaced by stone. In 1446 the third castle was built by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster and the keep of this building remains standing.The castle is the site of the 'Stone of Eloquence' known as 'The Blarney Stone' which is traditionally kissed by visitors. The castle is open to the public all year round.

Glantane Tomb and Stones

Glantane East Wedge Tomb

Glantane East is a pre-historic stone complex situated approximately 6.4 kilometres (4.0 mi) from Millstreet, County Cork, Ireland. (Irish: Sráid an Mhuilinn, Contae Chorcaí, Éire). One of which is Glantane East Wedge Tomb. This is a small wedge tomb made up of a capstone supported by two side and a backstone with a further smaller one standing between the sides. Going west from Blarney join the R618 to Macroom. The site if off the R582 at Glantane going north from Macroom towards Millstreet. It is located on the northwest upper slopes of Musherabeg Mountain.

Knocknakilla Stone Circle

Knocknakilla is the site of a number megalithic monuments. The complex is made up of a stone circle, made up of five stones, two standing stones, and a cairn. One of the two standing stones is now fallen, the one remaining upright standes stone is 3.7 metres tall, and it leans at an angle to the north.The name Knocknakilla is derived from the Irish  Cnoc na Cille, ('The Hill of the Church'). The site is located is on the upper northwest side of Musherabeg Mountain just past the entrance to Millstreet Country Park. This is between the towns of Macroom (Irish: Maigh Chromtha) and Millstreet (Irish: Sráid an Mhuilinn), in County Cork, Ireland (Irish: Contae Chorcaí, Éire). It is thought that the stones were erected in around 1600 BC. Set to align with solar and lunar cycles it could have fulfilled a ceremonial purpose as well as possibly acting as a calendar for early farmers, Nearby is the Wedge tomb at Glantane. 

Lough Gur - Loch Goir

Lough Gur (Irish: Loch Goir) is in County Limerick, Ireland (Irish: Contae Luimnigh, Éire). The lake is between the village of Herbertstown (Irish: Baile Hiobaird / Cathair Fuiseog) and the town of Bruff (Irish: An Brú). There are many megalithic sites at Lough Gur with evidence of human activity at least since about 3000 BC. The largest stone circle in Ireland, known as Grange stone circle, along with a dolmen are located close to the lake. There is a hillfort overlooking the lake, one of a number found in the area. The remains of a number of crannogs, which are artificial islands used as dwellings from the Neolithic period, have been discovered. Remains of houses dating to the Stone Age have also been found. 

Lough Gur/Loch Goir Neolithic Settlement

Here are the remains of a Neolithic settlement which is located on the Knockadoon headland at the north of Lough Gur west of the R512 and southeast east of the R514 and west from Knockroe in County Limerick.

Rock of Cashel - Carraig Phádraig

Rock of Cashel (Irish: Carraig Phádraig) is the traditional seat of the kings of Munster and reputedly the place where the Kings of Munster were converted to Christianity by St Patrick in the fifth century. Although the site was the seat of the kings for hundreds of years before the Norman invasion, most of the remains date from the twelfth and thirteenth century. Earlier buildings on the site include the late eleventh-early twelfth century round tower and chapel of King Cormac Mac Carthaigh. The site is open to the public.

King John's Castle - Caisleán Luimnigh

King John's Castle (Irish:Caisleán Luimnigh) is a thirteenth century castle located in the City of Limerick/Luimneach next to the River Shannon (Irish: Abha na Sionainne) and is on King's Island. Also on the island is St Mary's Cathedral which is over 800 years old. The castle is open to the public and has exhibitions of the history of the site.

Bunratty Castle - Caisleán Bhun Raithe

The site on which Bunratty Castle (Irish: Caisleán Bhun Raithe) stands was originally a Viking trading centre. There have been a number of castles on the site, but the present structure dates from 1425. It was restored after being purchased in 1954 and is now the venue for banquets. The folk park beside the castle gives a real life history of nineteenth century Ireland. The castle and adjoining folk park are run by Shannon Heritage.

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