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BUNRATTY
CASTLE & FOLK PARK
30 miles from Garrykennedy Bunratty, Co. Clare Tel: +353 61 360788 Fax: +353 61 361020 One of Ireland’s Top Visitor Attractions.
Bunratty Castle is the most complete and authentic mediaeval castle
in Ireland. Built in 1425, it was authentically restored in 1954
to its former mediaeval splendor, with furnishings and tapestries
capturing the mood and style of the times. The Folk Park, set on
26 acres, recreates 19th Century Ireland. The park features include;
recreated village street, 8 farmhouses, a watermill, blacksmith’s
forge, Mac’s pub and restaurant and a display of 19th Century agricultural
machinery. A range of activities can be organized on request - dancing
and singing in Mac’s Pub, treasure trails, demonstrations, fashion
shows, etc. Famous mediaeval banquets are held nightly year-round.
New features include the addition of Ardcroney church to the folk
park- the church will be used for ecumenical services and cultural
events such as musical recitals and concerts. Mac Closkey’s gourmet
restaurant, operated by Shannon Heritage, re-opened in 1998 at Bunratty
Folk Park. Affiliations: Heritage Island CLIFFS OF MOHER
45 miles from Garrykennedy Tel: +353 65 7077036 Fax: +353 65 7077107 With its stalactites, stalagmites, relics
of bears, and a waterfall-the Aillwee Cave, beneath the Burren,
has become one of Ireland's leading attractions. Travel through
beautiful caverns, over bridged chasms and under weird formations.
An essential part of any tour to the Burren. Craft shop, farm shop,
cheese manufacturing, restaurant and coffee shop. THE BURREN CENTER The Burren Center introduces you to one of the most enigmatic areas in the world - the Burren District. Models, displays and audio-visuals reveal the mysteries and complexities of this unique area. Visitors can explore the geology and geography of the areas, including the rich diversity of Burren flora and fauna and the history of man in his landscape. THE BURREN EXPOSURE
45 miles from Garrykennedy Lisdoonvarna Co. Clare Tel: +353 65 7074432 Fax: +353 65 7074303 This Company produces possibly Ireland's
finest Oak Smoked Atlantic Salmon. This ancient tradition is demonstrated
in the visitor center. The gourmet store which is part of the visitor
center specializes in locally produced goods. An audio-visual is
available in English, German, French & Italian. KING JOHNS CASTLE A visitor attraction of international
standard, in the heart of Limerick’s Mediaeval Heritage Precinct
on King’s Island. Features of the castle include 13th Century King
John’s Castle restored and interpreted; imaginative models and 3
dimensional displays, interpreting 800 years of Limerick’s and Ireland’s
history; audio-visual show on Limerick’s complex and turbulent history.
Spectacular views from towers of the river Shannon which flows by
it. Already pre-Norman houses, fortifications and siege mines have
been excavated on the grounds of King John’s Castle. Available day
or night for special group functions. Most special requests can
be catered for. Floodlit by night. New for 1999, King John Castle’s
Interpretative Center has been revamped and the Castle has been
enlivened with costumed characters. Castle Lane opened in May 1998
is situated beside King John’s Castle. The new street includes a
tavern and banqueting center and will also accommodate the new Limerick
City Museum. Affiliations: Heritage Island. THE HUNT MUSEUM The award winning Hunt Museum at Limericks
Custome House contains an internationally important collection of
some 2,000 original works of art and antiquity. It is a personal
collection formed by John and Gertrude Hunt who selected each piece
according to the quality of its design, craftsmanship and artistic
merit. These criteria were applied to objects from all periods of
the past - from the Stone Age to the Twentieth Century. While the
hunt Collection is particularly well known for its religious works
of art there is also a wealth of other material including material
from the Celtic Past and the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece
and Rome. Among many important works of art in the collection are
the personal seal of Charles 1 of England, the Mary Queen of Scots
Cross, a coin revered since the Middle Ages as being one of the
"30 pieces of silver" and a bronze horse by Leonardo da Vinci. There
are also paintings by Renoir, Picasso, O'Connor and Yeats. Superb
restaurant facilities. Meeting facilities. Guided tours available.
Affiliations: Heritage Island. Open daily - year round.
KILLALOE HERITAGE CENTER
32 miles from Garrykennedy Cashel, Co. Tipperary The Rock of Cashel is one of the most spectacular archeological sites in Ireland. It sits on the outskirts of Cashel on a large mound of limestone bristling with ancient fortifications. Mighty stone walls encircle a complete round tower, a roofless abbey, a 12th century Romanesque chapel, and numerous other buildings and high crosses. The Rock of Cashel is composed four structures which are the Hall of the Vicars Choral, the cathedral, the round tower, and Cormac's Chapel. Hore Abbey is about one kilometer north at the base of the rock. The word Cashel is an anglicized version of the Irish word Caiseal. The translations means 'fortress' which is exactly what it was used for. In the 4th century, the Rock of Cashel
was chosen as a base of power by the Eoghanachta clan from Wales.
They eventually conquered much of the Munster region and became
kings of the region. The clan's links to the church started early;
St. Patrick converted their leader in the 5th century in a ceremony
in which the saint accidentally stabbed the king in the foot with
his crozier (a large walking staff). The king, thinking this was
a painful initiation rite, bore the pain. Considering the actions
taken by St. Patrick on other occasions against nonbelievers, possibly
he was afraid to react. The clan lost possession of the Rock in
the 10th century to the O'Brien tribe under the leadership of Brian
Boru. In the first year of the 12th century, King Muircheartach
O'Brien gave the Rock to the church. This move prevented the Eoghanachta
clan from retaking the Rock. So the the Eoghanachta clan, by now
the McCarthys, moved to Cork. As a sign of goodwill, Cormac McCarthy
built Cormac's Chapel in 1169 before leaving. In 1647, the Rock
fell to a Cromwellian army under Lord Inchiquin which sacked and
burned its way to the top. Early in the 18th century the Protestant
church took it for 20 years, and this was the last time the Rock
was officially used as a place of worship. KILKENNEY CASTLE One of the most instantly recognised buildings in Ireland, Kilkenny Castle has been an important site since Strongbow constructed the first building in the 12th century. William the Earl Marshall built the first stone castle on the site in 1260. The Butler family bought the Castle in 1391 and lived there continuously until 1935. The Castle and grounds were given to the Nation in 1967. Opening times Oct 2000 - 31st March 2001
HOLYCROSS ABBEY CLONMACNOISE One of Ireland's most famous monastic
sites. Founded by St. Ciaran, in the 6th century. Situated on the
water meadows of the River Shannon. Includes Cathedral, Round Tower,
High Crosses and early Christian grave slabs. Audio -visual show
as well as exhibitions. Facilities include car/coach park and tea
rooms. Groups must be pre-booked. Open daily, all year-round (please
telephone the site for opening times as these may vary.
BIRR CASTLE DEMESNE The new Ireland's Historic Science Center,
features the many pioneering achievements of the Parsons family
and of other great Irish Scientists in the fields of astronomy,
photography engineering and horticulture. In the grounds, the Great
Telescope built by the third Earl of Rosse in the 1840's: this was
the largest in hte world for 70 years. Birr Castle Demense also
host the most amazing gardens in the country with Formal Garden
and River Garden recently restored, parkland with thousands of rare
trees and plants collected all over the world, rivers, lake and
waterfalls. The neogothic Castle is the private family home of the
Parsons family.Affiliations: Gardens of Ireland, Heritage Island.
Open daily, year round. UNIVERSITY CONCERT HALL
With a variable acoustic for both speech
and musical performance UCH is most suitable for entertainment,
conferences and corporate events with 'state of the art' technical
audio/visual facilities and the availability of 'on-campus' accommodation
and catering arranged through Plassey Campus Center.
CRAGGAUNOWEN - THE LIVING PAST
7 miles from Garrykennedy
7 miles from Garrykennedy
20 miles from Garrykennedy Bridge Street Limerick City Tel: +353 61 310293 Fax: +353 61 315721 Built in 1168 by Donal Mor O’Brien, King of Munster, this cathedral contains many fine antiquities. The main points of interest being the pre-reformation limestone altar; the Leper’s Squint; the Reardos of the High Altar(carved by the father of Padraigh Pearse) and the famous Misericords (a collection of twenty-three, 450 year old, carved oak seats used by the clergy during services in mediaeval times). To anyone interested in Church Architecture and antiquities, a visit to St. Mary’s Cathedral(which is still fully in use for Daily Services) is a “must”. 20 miles from Garrykennedy Due to public demand local groups now
conduct a walking tour based on Frank McCourt's International Best
seller "Angela's Ashes".The"Angela's Ashes" Walking Tour offers
a unique experience to visit the Limerick of Dr Frank McCourt and
features locations included in the text of "Angela's Ashes". It
is a vivid social commentary of Limerick then and now.
IRISH DRESDEN Dresden fine porcelain is now a flourishing craft in the rural surroundings of County Limerick. Visitors can view the intricate handicraft which goes into making Irish Dresden. FOYNES FLYING BOAT MUSEUM During the 1930’s and early 1940’s, the
port of Foynes was the fulcrum point for air traffic between the
United States and Europe. The famous flying boats were frequent
visitors, carrying on board a diverse range of people from celebrities
to refugees. The Foynes Museum recalls this era with a comprehensive
range of exhibits and graphic illustrations. It also includes a
1940’s style cinema, the original terminal building through which
many famous people passed, war years room, radio and weather room.
Irish Coffee was "invented" here in 1942. Coffee shop and souvenir
shop. Lunch stop.
35 miles from Garrykennedy, Banquetting Hall The Square,
Daily 09.30 - 18.30. 20 miles from Garrykennedy, Tontine Buildings, 2 Pery Square, Limerick Tel: +353 61 314130 Situated in the center of Georgian Limerick, this is a fully restored town house and garden which was built by The Pery Tontine Company in 1838. The terrace of six houses is rated amongst the best examples of Georgian Architecture in Ireland. LOUGH GUR STONE AGE CENTRE Tel: +353 61 360788 Lough Gur the most important Stone-Age
site in Ireland where the pre-Celtic settlers of Ireland farmed
and lived. The archaeology of the area provides evidence for the
activities of the first farmers in the region, their dwellings,
ritual and burial sites, as well as their tools and implements.
The story stretches over 5,000 years and continues to the present
day. The visitor center, on the lakeside site, contains a display
and audio-visual presenting the site’s history. CLARE ARCHAEOLOGY CENTRE DYSERT O’DEA CASTLE Tel: +353 65 6837401 and +353 65 6837305 Dysert O’ Dea Castle was built in 1480
by Diarmuid O’ Dea. Renovated and open to the public by the Dysert
O’ Dea Development Association since 1986. Today it features a Museum
of local artifacts, an audio visual presentation on the history
of Dysert from ancient times to the present day. English and German
exhibitions, tea room and souvenir shop. A developed trail covering
25 sites of archaeological and historical interest within a 5 mile
radius of the castle should not be missed. The trail includes the
National Monuments - Dysert O’ Dea church with romanesque doorway
and 12th Century High Cross. Guided tours of both Castle and Trail
are available if advance notice is given.
30 miles from Garrykennedy, Mountshannon, Co. Clare There are several Lake Bus operations on Lough Derg. Cruise from Garrykennedy, Dromineer and Killaloe to nearby harbour villages. Cruise from Mountshannon to Holy Island, site of a 7th century monastic settlement. Contact us for additional details. 25 miles from Garrykennedy, Slievenamon Road,Thurles, Co.Tipperary +353 504 23579 Housed in an elegant 19th century building, this exhibition tells the story of Gaelic games through legendary times to the present day. It includes hurling, football, camogie and handball. Lar Na Pairce had it’s own Hall of Fame, with life-size models of the greatest hurlers and footballers along with the first GAA computer data-base. There is also an eighteen minute audio-visual presentation capturing the skill, excitement and colour of the games and many other full- size recreations 21 miles from Garrykennedy, Castle Street, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary Tel: +353 505 21850
15 miles from Garrykennedy, 1 Birdhill, Co. Tipperary Fax: +353 61 379067 WEST OFFALY BOG RAIL TOUR
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