archaeological ireland

Lough Gur was the site of a Neolithic settlement which was inhabited in 3000 BC and the Lough is surrounded by ancient standing stones, burial mounds, megalithic tombs, and perhaps most impressively, a 4000 year old stone circle just outside the park. A mock Stone Age hut holds an interpretative centre with audiovisuals and models to help visitors understand what archaeologists have learnt from the settlement. From the more recent history of the lough survives 13th and 15th Century castles....

Uisneagh Hill is about 11 miles from Mullingar on the R390. On this hill can be found the Catstone or "Ail Na Mearainn", said to be the meeting point of the five ancient provinces of Ireland. This is the hill on which King Tuathal Teachmar erected his royal palace in the second century. An imposing hill, 180 metres high, "Uisneagh" provides a magnificent view of the midlands. It was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland for 200 years prior to the coming of St. Patrick and the geat paga...

The Great Heath of Maryborough is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country. The place is of the battle of Cainthinc in the third-Century, the stone called Leac Reta where the seven cantreds of ancient Leix met, iron-age ring barrows, bronze-age cultivated ridges, Rath Shane, an annual ancient assembly called an oenach, nineteenth-century horse racing and manoeuvres of the Queen's County Militia. Today it includes a GAA complex and a golf club....

This is one of the last remaining pieces of the original  town wall. This ruined gateway was one of 5 in a section of the town walls which were built by Geoffrey de Geneville.
Access by permission only....

An Iron Age promontory fort, one of the most sophisticated monuments of its class, remarkable for the ingenious nature of its defences. It stands on a V-shaped headland in the south-west of the Dingle peninsula and while not difficult of access is unsignposted because of its hazardous condition, to which warning notices on the site draw attention. The position of Dunbeg is very exposed and parts of the cliff have been severely eroded, carrying sections of the masonry into the sea. The landwar...

Distributed over many acres and extending into adjoining townlands, Carrowmore represents the largest grouping of megalithic monuments in Ireland, and immense Neolithic burial ground where once there may have been more than a hundred tombs. Casual exploration in the last century and present day gravel quarrying in the vicinity have devalued the archaeological potential of the site; but it is still a rewarding place to visit, steeped in atmosphere and evoking a sense of the past.
The s...

An exceptionally fine portal-tome or dolmen, prominent on the skyline 1/4 mile to the east of the main road, 4 miles north-north-west of Ardara. It well displays the classic features from which this type of monument derives its name. The matched portal stones and gracefully uptilted capstone (nearly 20 feet long and one of the largest in Ireland) oversailing the chamber entrance convey a sense of architectural awareness on the part of the builders and its streamlined profile has inspired numer...

Occupying a commanding hill-top overlooking islanded Lough Gill to the south and pretty Colgagh Lake to the west, this large and imposing monument is perhaps the best example of a centre court-tomb in the country. Its traditional name, by which it is still known hereabouts, is Leacht Con Mhic Ruis. The oval court, 50 feet in length with an entrance on the south side, has two segmented galleries at its east end and one at the west. In the last century all three galleries had large lintel stones...

The entertaining exhibition features the area's rich geographical and archaeological heritage, including a 6th century log boat. Outside, a nature trail provides the opportunity to examine the plant and animal life of the bog at close quarters. Bicycles to suit all the family are available for hire. Maps and information on the local area are available from the centre. Eight selft catering cottages are also available for rent. A warm welcome awaits you in the foothills of the Sperrin Moun...

TOUR A Leaving from Kiltimagh will travel to North Mayo area passing through Cill Aodain (home of Raftery the Poet) and stopping at - Fort in Carrowkeel - Monastic site in Bohola - Ballylahan Castle - Foxford Town - Mount Falcon Castle - House - Ballina Town - Moyne Town - Killala Round Tower and Town - Brestagh Ogham Stone - Kilcummin Beach (Landing Place of French forces in 1798) - Downpatrick Head - Promontory Fort and Swallow Holes - Return to Kiltimagh

TOUR B L...