- Rathcroghan (Cruachan Aí): Near Tulsk, this ancient royal site is the heart of Connacht’s Celtic heritage, linked to Queen Medb and the Táin Bó Cúailnge. Visitors can expect guided tours of the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, with exhibits on Iron Age archaeology, and walks to mounds like Oweynagat (Cave of the Cats), a mythical underworld entrance. Open daily, with a small entry fee. Ideal for history buffs and mythology enthusiasts.
- Roscommon Castle: In Roscommon town, this 13th-century Norman castle, built by Robert de Ufford, features striking towers and a turbulent history. Visitors can expect to explore the ruins freely, with interpretive signs detailing its sieges during the 17th century. Set in a scenic park with lake views, it’s free to visit, open year-round. Perfect for those interested in medieval history and photography.
- Lough Key Forest Park: Near Boyle, this 800-acre park on Lough Key offers woodlands, islands, and adventure activities. Visitors can expect walking and cycling trails, a treetop canopy walk, zip-lining, and boat tours to islands like Trinity Island. The visitor centre includes a café, and the Boda Borg puzzle challenge is family-friendly. Entry is free; activity fees apply. Ideal for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Boyle Abbey: A 12th-century Cistercian monastery in Boyle, this well-preserved ruin showcases Gothic and Romanesque architecture. Visitors can expect guided or self-guided tours of the abbey’s nave, cloisters, and gatehouse, with a small visitor centre. Managed by the OPW, it’s open March–October with a small entry fee. Perfect for history lovers and those exploring Ireland’s monastic past.
- Arigna Mining Experience: Near Arigna, this museum in Ireland’s last working coal mine offers a glimpse into mining life from the 1700s to 1990. Visitors can expect guided tours by former miners through underground tunnels, with exhibits on coal production and local history. Open daily, with an entry fee. Ideal for those interested in industrial heritage and authentic storytelling.
- King House: In Boyle, this 18th-century Georgian mansion, once home to the King family, now houses a museum. Visitors can expect exhibits on the Connaught Rangers, Gaelic chieftains, and the house’s history, plus a restored interior with period furnishings. The grounds include a walled garden. Open April–October, with an entry fee. Perfect for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts.
- Strokestown Park House and National Famine Museum: In Strokestown, this 18th-century Palladian mansion features the National Famine Museum, focusing on the Great Famine (1845–1852). Visitors can expect guided house tours, exhibits on famine emigration, and a restored walled garden. Open daily, with entry fees. A poignant stop for those interested in social history and Ireland’s past.
- Cruachan Aí Visitor Centre: Near Tulsk, this centre complements the Rathcroghan complex with immersive displays on Celtic mythology and archaeology. Visitors can expect multimedia exhibits, guided tours to nearby mounds, and a café. Open daily, with a small entry fee. Ideal for those seeking deeper insights into Ireland’s ancient royal past and the Táin epic.
- Elphin Windmill: In Elphin, this restored 18th-century windmill is Ireland’s oldest operational windmill. Visitors can expect guided tours of the working mill, with demonstrations of traditional milling and exhibits on local history. Open seasonally (June–September), with a small entry fee. A charming stop for those interested in rural heritage and engineering.
- Dr. Douglas Hyde Interpretative Centre: Near Frenchpark, this centre honors Douglas Hyde, Ireland’s first President and a Gaelic League founder. Visitors can expect exhibits on his life, the Irish language Revival, and a restored 19th-century cottage. Set in a scenic park, it’s open seasonally with free entry (donations welcome). Ideal for those interested in Irish culture and political history.
Attractions
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth\ – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Roscommon:
Ireland’s county Roscommon combines historic sites with tranquil landscapes, with Roscommon Castle’s imposing ruins offering a glimpse into medieval Ireland. Lough Key Forest Park provides boating and treetop canopy walks, while the Arigna Mining Experience explores the county’s industrial past. Other attractions include the sacred site of Rathcroghan, linked to ancient mythology. Roscommon is Ireland’s 11th largest county by size (2,463 square km) and eighth smallest by population (70,259). Population peaked at 253,591 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 53,519 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Roscommon is Ireland’s 31st most visited and Ireland’s second least visited tourist county with around 25,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846– 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
