10 Museums in Ireland’s Ancient East That You Shouldn't Miss

December 14, 2021 Etsuko Causey

Discover the best top things to do in Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland including Michael Collins Centre, Derryglad Folk & Heritage Museum, Museum of Style Icons (M.O.S.I), Medieval Mile Museum, King of the Vikings, Nano Nagle Place, Russborough House, Hunt Museum, Drum Heritage Centre, Cork City Gaol.
Restaurants in Ireland’s Ancient East

1. Michael Collins Centre

Castleview, Clonakilty Ireland +353 23 884 6107 [email protected] http://www.michaelcollinscentre.com/
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 344 reviews

Michael Collins Centre

We are a family run interpretive centre, just off the main road(R600)between Clonakilty and Timoleague/Kinsale).We are also located on the Wild Atlantic Way. We are open from Mid June to Mid September. At the centre we give presentations interpreting the life and times of Michael Collins. We begin with an audio visual presentation showing all the places connected with Michael Collins in West Cork, we also have a second audio visual consisting of archive footage. The most unique part of the presentation is our live lecture which is conducted by an expert historian who gives an account of the 'Big Fella's' life from 1906 until his death. We also have a full scale replica of the Ambush site in Beal na mBlath. We also do private Michael Collins tours.

Reviewed By littleadventurers

We met Tim Crowley on a individual tour back in January so came back to see the collection he’s gathered over the years, it’s a great tour and we would recommend it to other Michael enthusiasts!! We have been to his Grave, the ambush site and really Tim has created an experience and his knowledge of Michael Collins is something to experience!!!

2. Derryglad Folk & Heritage Museum

Derryglad, Curraghboy, Athlone N37 W1K8 Ireland +353 90 648 8192 [email protected] http://www.derrygladfolkmuseum.com
Excellent
91%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 332 reviews

Derryglad Folk & Heritage Museum

Open May-Oct incl : No trip to the midlands is complete without a visit to the Derryglad Folk & Heritage Museum, which is hidden in South Roscommon in a land of lakes and rivers. The collection deals with Farm & Folk life in Ireland from the 18th century to the recent past. The museum is privately owned and run by the Finneran Family and houses a unique 25 year collection of over ,7500 items includes horse-drawn machinery restored to the original working order, tradesmans tools and buttermaking equipment, laundry memorabilia, old and rare washing machines, 1930’s old-style thatched bar & grocery, old-style sheep shears, radios, gramophones , shop dockets and bill-heads, sports display McCormacks photography room where the contents include dark rooms finishing r D & P line, B & W colour processors. as well as much, much more. its an ideal destina­tion for school tours, ICA Guilds, Ladies Clubs, Farming Groups, Vintage Clubs, Historical So­cieties, families,

Reviewed By astokes610 - Dublin, Ireland

Vert enjoyable experience at this museum. Everything so well preserved and presented you can see the owners have so much love and appreciation for the past. Was lovely to speak to the owner and hear how he has been collecting for the past 40 years. A great trip down memory lane.

3. Museum of Style Icons (M.O.S.I)

Newbridge Silverware, Kildare Ireland +353 45 431 301 [email protected] http://www.newbridgesilverware.com/visit_us/museum
Excellent
77%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 61 reviews

Museum of Style Icons (M.O.S.I)

4. Medieval Mile Museum

2 St Marys Lane, Kilkenny Ireland +353 56 781 7022 [email protected] http://www.medievalmilemuseum.ie/
Excellent
83%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 624 reviews

Medieval Mile Museum

Located on the 13th century site of St Mary's cruciform church and graveyard. As the starting point of the 'Medieval Mile' trail, it brings to life Kilkenny's history as Ireland's premier medieval city. Displays of Kilkenny's civic treasures and replicas of some of the High Crosses of Ossory illustrate the local Gaelic monastic heritage and the ancient city's historic role in Ireland. There are a number of Guided tours throughout the day, or visitors can purchase an all-day self-guided tour pass. Audio Guides are available in 5 languages (English, German, French, Italian, Spanish). Child friendly versions are also available in each language. June 2018 saw the launch of the LEGO® mini figure Hunt, which sees 10 characters from Kilkenny's history hidden around the museum in the form of LEGO® mini figures! Kids are now introduced to the city's history through LEGO®.School tours, language schools and third level, please see our website for costings and booking information.Last entry 6.00

Reviewed By 946dylanr - New York City, United States

You must visit this museum while in Kilkenny. Our tour guide John was one of the best we’ve ever had in all our travels. Really enjoyed the 1 hour tour. The museum is an old church that they’ve done an absolutely wonderful job preserving and modernizing into an attraction that gives you a great appreciation for Kilkenny City and it’s long and incredible history.

5. King of the Vikings

10 Bailey's New Street Viking Triangle, Waterford X91 A0PF Ireland +353 76 110 2676 [email protected] http://www.kingofthevikings.com
Excellent
86%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
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Terrible
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5.0 based on 277 reviews

King of the Vikings

King of the Vikings - The World's First Viking Virtual Reality 3D Adventure, bringing you up close and personal with the Viking warlords who founded Waterford Ireland's oldest city! Housed in a replica Viking house within the atmospheric ruins of a medieval monastery in the heart of the Viking city. Next to Reginald's Tower where the Treasures of Viking Waterford and a fullsize Viking longship. Available in English, French and German. Cost of admission is only €5.00 for an Under 12 and only €10.00 for an adult. Currently CLOSED for annual maintenance, from 6th January till Fri.13th March 2020.

Reviewed By Seehanes

Visitors are strongly advised to book in advance for this virtual reality experience due to limited capacity - visits last thirty minutes and only ten people can be accommodated during each session. Within the Viking Triangle, so rich in history and museum experiences, this novel format brings that Viking history to life in an unforgettable manner that should be greatly enjoyed by people of all ages and interest levels - you cannot help but feel thoroughly engaged. With a son who suffers from travel sickness, this virtual reality experience posed no problem for him. Situated in a replica Viking house within the ruins of the Franciscan friary, the costumed staff skilfully aided visitors to use the apparatus effectively. In fact no skill was needed - the staff ensured that everybody's experience was optimised. Potential improvements, in my opinion, would include greater sensory engagement such as water spray (from the sea or discarded waste), blasts of heat when there are fires, or release of smells to coincide with cooking, other domestic situations, or proximity to livestock. Apart from the brief thrill (or horror?) of seeing rats at your feet, I think the fear / shock factor could have been considerably heightened. If there is concern for the welfare of younger children, then perhaps headsets could have two different settings (one milder experience, and one more dramatic one). Nevertheless this is unquestionably a worthwhile addition to Waterford's attractions.

6. Nano Nagle Place

Douglas Street, Cork T12 X70A Ireland +353 21 419 3580 [email protected] http://www.nanonagleplace.ie
Excellent
88%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 422 reviews

Nano Nagle Place

Nano Nagle Place is a restored walled convent with beautiful hidden gardens and graveyards, the fab Good Day Deli garden café and design & book shop in the centre of bustling Cork city. Our state of the art heritage centre tells the extraordinary story 18th century Cork and how Nano Nagle worked tirelessly to educate the poor of the city. History, heritage, culture, great food & coffee, stunning architecture & landscaping and a very warm welcome await! Come and explore all that's good in Cork!

Reviewed By L8627DKchristinet

Just had a delightful visit to Nano Nagle Place. Even though we had to queue for lunch it was so worth the wait. The menu was amazing and the food delicious. Coffee is top class. After lunch we had a guided tour through the fascinating museum and rooms that Nano used to frequent. The interactive slides and videos are very interesting and informative. The gardens hold lots of surprises including water features and beautiful spaces. A lovely, peaceful oasis in the middle of Cork City. Well worth a visit.

7. Russborough House

Wicklow Ireland +353 45 865 239 http://www.russboroughhouse.ie/
Excellent
69%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 569 reviews

Russborough House

A beautifully refurnished 18th century mansion housing the world-famous Albert Beit collection of art.

Reviewed By bethd60 - Fairview, United States

Our tour guide, Charles, was informative and more than willing to part with the family secrets as we made our way through this beautiful home filled with the most amazing furniture and art. This is the longest house in Ireland (700 fee of frontage) and given to the people of Ireland by the Beit famiy (heir to a portion of the DeBeer diamond fortune). Be sure tocheck out the interactive displays and 3D film in the basement. BTW we had a decent lunch in the cafe.

8. Hunt Museum

Rutland St. The Custom House, Limerick Ireland +353 61 312 833 [email protected] http://www.huntmuseum.com
Excellent
55%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 687 reviews

Hunt Museum

The Hunt Museum preserves and exhibits the original artefacts gathered, over a life time, by John and Gertrude Hunt and known as the Hunt Collection. The Museum also displays its own collections, as well as visiting exhibitions of Local, National and International significance with the overall aim of maximising their cultural and educational potential for the people of Limerick and Ireland. During a visit to The Hunt Museum you can choose to explore the collection by yourself or take one of our regular guided tours. For group bookings, please contact to ensure that a guided tour can be organized. Subject to availability.

Reviewed By tingasiki - Windhoek, Namibia

We only had very little time to spend in Limerick and I am so glad we found this gem of a museum close to the hotel we stayed (the Absolute). The collection is marvellous and fascinating, and the building itself is worth a visit. There is a nice gift shop with a range of interesting books and a very nice coffee shops with wonderful cakes! Don't miss it!!

9. Drum Heritage Centre

Curryroe Drum, Athlone Ireland +353 85 209 4555 [email protected] http://www.drumheritage.ie/home
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Drum Heritage Centre

10. Cork City Gaol

Convent Avenue Sunday's Well, Cork T23 VX25 Ireland +353 21 430 5022 [email protected] http://corkcitygaol.com
Excellent
48%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,784 reviews

Cork City Gaol

Corks Most Captivating Experience:A step back in time to see what 19th/early 20th century life was like-inside and outside prison walls. Historical experience brought to life with amazingly lifelike figures, furnished cells, sound effects & fascinating exhibitions. This exhibition fascinates visitors of all ages and nationalities and the tour is available in up to 13 languages.

Reviewed By 203sylvanah - Ireland, null

Brilliant activity to do, cool to see the history of the place, very interesting place to see. You are given headphones on this tour so you can take your time looking around pause and play again when ready.

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