Standing on the banks of the River Shannon in Athlone, the castle dates back to the 12th century…read morewith multiple updates and fortifications. Despite its age, there has been tremendous effort to restore it to its original glory with the installation of an interactive visitor experience. Exhibits and displays give history and what it was like to be here during the Williamite War and beyond to the modern Irish Republic. Lots of artifacts and historical presentations. Great views of the town of Athlone and the Athlone Bridge. It's worth a stop. [Review 1969 of 2024 - 150 in Republic of Ireland - 22991 overall]

A lovely treasure along the Shannon River. Very helpful information desk -- try to get on a tour…read moreto get the full story, so much more informative to get an explanation of the different costumes and time periods. The lobby has some vintage artifacts that are interesting to see and ponder.

This place is amazing! It's currently being restored, so a lot of the old original structure is…read morestill in place. The man who runs it puts a lot of care into maintaining the castle and knows the whole, very long and very interesting, history! Also, the view from the top of the castle is absolutely breathtaking. Truly a magical experience.

My second time visiting the castle, I also went back in August. I love chatting with the owner,…read moreSean, who has many stories to tell as well as being very knowledgeable in Irish history.

Not where baby Goths go to stand trial, but a beautiful mansion designed by James Gandon of Four…read moreCourts fame in 1790. The playground of various earls until the 1930s, it was taken over by the Jesuits and eventually handed over to the State a few years ago. One of the most impressive features of Emo is its wonderful gardens, which have been rejuvenated in recent times; they include formal areas, woodland walks, a rake of rare trees, an impressive lake and an abundance of statues. Some of these statues were actually pulled from the lake when the State took over the estate, and it is suspected that they somehow made their way their during the time that the Jesuits were running the place. "Brother, there seems to be an effigy of a naked faun down by the old stables." "I think I know the perfect spot for it. Grab a shovel." The house itself is open to the public from Easter to September, but you are free to roam the gardens all year round.

A lovely house worthy of a visit in the Midlands of Ireland. The house has a history stretching…read moreback to the 18th century, and had an interesting variety of owners- rich English and American gentlement, and the Jesuit Order, before being passed to the Office of Public Works of the state. As with most OPW properties, visiting prices are very reasonable, and the tour guides are interesting and informative. They clearly are passionate about what they do, which is excellent. Something that sticks out for me from the tour was that the Jesuits removed many artworks which were sexual in nature, left behind by previous owners, to avoid tempting the members of the order. I found this quite funny. However, they were good at keeping the art safely stored away to be recovered again in later years. The gardens at Emo Court are also beautiful, and extensive. You can freely roam around in them all year. I particularly like the lake, with many different water birds living there, and a lot of fish. Well worth a visit.

Beautiful area with nice views and a lot to experience. Very peaceful and and a good feeling of…read moreIrish culture

If you want to get to the heart and soul of Ireland, you must visit this place - about five miles…read moreeast of Ballymore on the way to Mulingar. In many ways, it is the twin of the more famous Hill of Tara. Its main feature is the most unusual, Cat's Stone, which gets its name because it's believed that it resembles a cat, and if you study it closely, it does! I wonder did Ripley's 'Stranger than fiction' ever visit it? The Hill was believed by the ancient Druids, to be the very navel of Ireland - the geographical centre - where the five provinces met! Look out on a fair day and see many of Ireland's counties unfurl themselves before your eyes like phantoms from out of the mystical mists and relax and see the smooth plains of Ireland's midlands - smooth and uplifting, as if some bountiful cream was rubbed on the serene face of Ireland's goddess, Eriu! Hidden Ireland......

Fore Abbey is a 7th century abbey spread across the valley of ancient structures. The abbey complex…read moreincludes several notable features, such as the remains of the Benedictine monastery, St. Feichin's church, and the famous Fore Crosses. There are several ruins to explore on this stop.

For a ruin, this place was really in good shape. Most here are a pile of rocks that vaguely…read moreresembles a building. This one had rooms and working stairs. If you go, there is a big parking lot on the main road. You don't have to park on the street.

Our first day tour stop on the way to Galway was the Clonmacnoise Monastic Site, another Irish…read morelocation loaded with History. As we pulled in, a derelict Norman Castle greeted us from the parking lot. St Ciarán founded his monastery on the banks of the River Shannon in the 6th Century. The monastery flourished and became a great seat of learning, a University of its time with students from all over Europe. It was also noted for its illuminated manuscripts and skilled craftsmanship. The monastic ruins were abandoned in the 13th Century. The ruins include a Cathedral, two round Towers, three high crosses, nine Churches and over 700 Early Christian grave slabs. The original high crosses, including the magnificent 10th century Cross of the Scriptures are on display in a purpose built visitor centre adjacent to the monastic enclosure. The visitor centre is a must, with the introduction video recommended. One thing I picked up here was learning the difference between a cemetery and a graveyards, of which the latter are always linked to the adjacent Church. Another attraction (beside the pretty view of the River) is the small pavilion where Pope John Paul II hosted Mass in September of 1979. There was a certain peace to this place as Gayle and I walked along.

It's wild to think about just how old this site is...my mind can barely fathom it. But the…read morebeautiful remains of old churches, lookout towers and grave markings all tell a story. There is a lot of history here and absolutely worthy of a visit and some respect for the people who have lived and died here. The tour guides will share some interesting stories and facts; all worth hearing and appreciating. Be sure to visit the museum to learn a little more and to see the original crosses (replicas replaced them outside to protect them from weather).

A good little castle and a nice photo opp. I discovered it by accident on my way from Dublin to Co…read more Clare.

The City of Drumshanbo and the surrounding County Leitrim area, is a beautiful conversion of what…read moreuse to be Ireland's coal mining area. Today there are many lakes now used for water sports and the nearby Carrick on Shannon is a major Stags & Hens destination. My extended family has lived in this area for centuries and it was fun visiting, "where it all began, so to speak".