Clonmacnoise, Rathcroghan & Midlands Tour (per person)
Special offer
Dates Available
9th June to 10th June 2012
28th July to 29th July 2012
Description
Leave Archaeology Centre, Dooagh at 8 a.m.
Fee includes Guides, B&B Accommodation, Transport and entry to Museums/Heritage Centres
TBA
The Early Medieval monastic site of Clonmacnoise is situated on the banks of the River Shanon at the crossroads of Ireland in County Offaly and dates back almost 1,500 years. St. Ciaran, the son of an Ulsterman who had settled in Connaught, chose the site in 545 AD because of its ideal location at the junction of river and road travel in Celtic Ireland. The location borders the three provinces of Connaught, Munster and Leinster.
The ancient royal complex at Rathcroghan in County Roscommon contains over 200 monuments, including ringforts, mounds and megalithic tombs. Rathcroghan was the burial site of the Kings of Connacht and covers an area of c.518 hectares.
The legendary Queen Maeve and her husband King Ailill ruled Connacht from Rathcroghan and are famously portrayed in the epic tale of Tain Bo Cuailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley).
The Corlea Bog Iron Age Trackway is testimony to the craftsmanship of Iorn Age man. Part of the excavated trackway is on display at Corlea Visitor Centre with a Guided Tour by the Centre's curator.
The Medieval Abbey at Boyle, Co. Roscommon contains both Gothic and Romanesque architecture and is a veritable gem for persons interested in the Irish medieval period. Annalistic reference of AD 1656 said 'the heretics had made the convent a den of thieves'.
Roscommon Castle dates to the 13th century and was built by King Henry III and the Anglo Normans as a buffer against Aedh O'Conor, son of Felim O'Conor, King of Connacht.
Clonfert Romanesque Dorway, a breathtaking depiction of Irish art .
A truly fascinating Tour. Early booking is advised.