The 10 Best Ancient Ruins in Province of Connacht, Western Ireland

January 14, 2022 Enedina Augsburger

Discover the best top things to do in Province of Connacht, Ireland including Meelick Round Tower, Dun Aonghasa, Dun Duchathair, Belleek Castle Museum, Rathcroghan Royal Site & Visitor Centre, Feartagar Castle, Urlaur Abbey, Sli Grainne Mhaol, The Abbey, Boyle Abbey.
Restaurants in Province of Connacht

1. Meelick Round Tower

Swinford Ireland http://roundtowers.org/meelick/index.htm
Excellent
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Meelick Round Tower

2. Dun Aonghasa

Cill Mhuirbhigh, Province of Connacht Ireland +353 99 61008 [email protected] http://www.heritageireland.ie
Excellent
80%
Good
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5.0 based on 1,399 reviews

Dun Aonghasa

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Dun Aonghasa is the largest of the prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands. It is enclosed by three massive dry-stone walls and a chevaux-de-frise consisting of blocks of limestone set vertically into the ground to deter attackers. Originally constructed c.1100BC, it was re-fortified around 700-800 AD. Excavations revealed significant evidence of prehistoric metalworking, as well as several burials. Visitor safety information: The fort is about 1km from the Visitors Centre and is approached over rising ground. The last section of the path is over rough, natural rock and care is needed, especially when descending. Boots or strong walking shoes are recommended. There is no fence or barrier at the edge of the cliff.

Reviewed By geraldine946 - Western Ireland, Ireland

Well worth a visit, rain hail or sunshine....have been here a few times and loved it, the most amazing views on the island and definitely worth it.

3. Dun Duchathair

Inis Mor, County Galway, Province of Connacht Ireland http://www.aranislands.ie
Excellent
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5.0 based on 143 reviews

Dun Duchathair

Reviewed By redhead_roaming - Seattle, United States

Honestly, it's quite an adventure just getting to this place! We rented mountain bikes in town and we were glad we got those versus gentle city bikes. The road that gets you closest, while it looks smooth and nice on Google Maps satellite view, is full of large rocks that would take out city bikes - there was more than one occasion I almost biffed it even with my mountain bike! While walking is certainly an option, it kinda makes sense just to get bikes for the whole day to explore the island anyway. Anyway, the path ends near the cliff side, with a lone bench. It's not America - there are no signs, no safety rails, nothing. Be safe and be informed as to where you need to go. We left our bikes there and I was really worried they would get stolen but no one touched them - thank you kind people! Walking through the limestone landscape, you have to be careful where you step, as you could easily twist an ankle if you're too busy looking around. You start to notice that the stone walls have a couple entries in them and you can follow some virtually all the way to Dun Duchathair. Once you get there, there's not much to see of the actual fort. There's no signs about not walking on the structure and you kinda have to but we tried to keep that to a minimum, to keep the integrity of the structure for years to come. We sat and enjoyed the views for a while though, especially loving waves crashing along the steep cliffs. As cool as watching the sunset would be here, I 100% do not recommend it. I can't imagine trying to navigate the cliffs or the limestone landscape in the dark. For clothing, it wasn't a terribly cold day but with the wind, it made it. We had lightweight fleece jackets, pants and good hiking shoes.

4. Belleek Castle Museum

Belleek House Garrankeel, Ballina Ireland +353 96 22400 [email protected] http://www.belleekcastle.com/history.html
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5.0 based on 231 reviews

Belleek Castle Museum

Learn about the history of Belleek Castle & the story of its inhabitants the Knox-Gore family. Lean about the exciting life of Marshall Doran a sailor who made his fortune from smuggling & antique dealing who later became hotelier & restored Belleek Castle in the 1960's. Visitors will see the original Castle & Marshalls additions to the house such as the Spanish Armada Bar (built from salvaged wood from Spanish Armada shipwrecks) and the Medieval Banquet Hall,. The highlight of the tour will be the Marshall Doran Collection! One of the finest collections of antiques, Jurassic Fossils, Medieval weapons and Medieval Armour in Ireland! Other curiosities include the last wolf shot in Connaught & the bed of Grace O'Malley, Ireland's Pirate Queen.

Reviewed By sandramK8378SD

Went Nov. 2019, great tour, guide fantastically knowledgeable. Would be great for kids as well. Very interesting history. ????

5. Rathcroghan Royal Site & Visitor Centre

Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre, Tulsk Ireland +353 71 963 9268 [email protected] http://www.rathcroghan.ie
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5.0 based on 435 reviews

Rathcroghan Royal Site & Visitor Centre

Rathcroghan, in County Roscommon, is the hidden heart of the West of Ireland. When you visit this area, just off the N5 Dublin to Westport road, you can experience the home of Celtic Warrior Queen Maeve, the Goddess Morrigan, the Cattle Raid of Cooley, and seat of Gaelic Royalty – this is the Land of Legends for over 5,000 years. Here you can walk in the footsteps of the ancestors, imagine yourself transported back through time to the age of warriors and heroes, and enjoy this fascinating slice of Irish Heritage. The Rathcroghan Complex, with over 200 ancient monuments, is the historical royal capital of Connacht, Ireland’s Western province. We have been nominated to World Heritage Status, and Rathcroghan Visitor Centre offers a BRAND NEW Rathcroghan and Medieval Tulsk exhibition (open April 2014) with fully insured guided tours tailored to suit you; whether your interest is History, Genealogy, Literature, Archaeology, Heritage, Spirituality, or Mythology. Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, in the Medieval village of Tulsk, provides professional guided tours with a qualified historian/archaeologist; plus self-guide information, maps and advice; family friendly activities, workshops and special events, and full café facilities. You can shop for unique hand crafted gifts, an unparalleled specialist book selection, and expert advice no matter what your interest in Irish Culture, History or Heritage.

Reviewed By carolgleeson

The exhibition is very good, with an impressive bookshop for history lovers, the cafe has very good coffee and cake and the best of all is the guided tour by Mike McCarthy. It is excellent! He weaves together myth, archaeology, history, folklore into a great story. Very interesting and entertaining. The guided tour is a must for anyone interested in the story of Maeve.

6. Feartagar Castle

Castlegrove East, Galway Ireland
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Feartagar Castle

7. Urlaur Abbey

Urlaur Lake Urlaur, Kilkelly Ireland http://www.mayo-ireland.ie/en/towns-villages/kilkelly/history/urlaur-abbey.html
Excellent
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Urlaur Abbey

8. Sli Grainne Mhaol

Derreens Pattens Pub, Achill Island Ireland +353 98 45172 http://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/Sli-Grainne-Mhaol/879/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 46 reviews

Sli Grainne Mhaol

Reviewed By Are-any-left

Fantastic walk with really stunning views. Very well marked and easy to follow. A few seats / picnic benches en route. Takes about 2/2.5 hours. Weather was good but there had been lots of rain during the week and the ground was quite boggy in places, so would definitely recommend hiking boots for it. Well done to those involved in developing and maintaining this walk, it's fabulous!

9. The Abbey

The Island, Clare Island Ireland http://www.clareisland.ie/the-abbey/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

The Abbey

10. Boyle Abbey

Boyle Ireland 353-79-62604, 353-79-62145 http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/west/boyleabbey
Excellent
47%
Good
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Satisfactory
11%
Poor
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4.5 based on 174 reviews

Boyle Abbey

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