The Knights & Conquests Heritage Centre, located in Granard, County Longford, is an immersive and family-friendly attraction that brings the Norman history of Ireland to life. Situated in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, adjacent to the country’s tallest Norman Motte (built in 1199 by Richard de Tuite), the centre offers an interactive journey through the Norman invasion and its lasting impact, set against the backdrop of Granard’s rich heritage.
The centre tells the story of the Norman arrival in Ireland, sparked by a dispute between Rory O’Connor of Connacht and Diarmuid MacMurrough of Leinster, which led to the 1169 invasion. Visitors explore this “Irish Game of Thrones” through exhibits on key figures like Henry II, Rory O’Connor, Pope Adrian IV, and Richard de Tuite, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. The narrative spans from the 12th-century Norman conquest to Granard’s role in the 1798 Rebellion and the War of Independence, highlighted by a dedicated Kitty Kiernan Drawing Room. Kiernan, a Granard native, was fiancée to Michael Collins, and her story adds a personal touch to the centre’s historical scope.
- Granard Motte: Adjacent to the centre’s tallest Norman Motte (544 feet high) offers a short climb with commanding views across three provinces (Leinster, Ulster, and Connacht). Built in 1199, it symbolizes Granard’s strategic importance and is a key part of the experience, though access may depend on weather and group size.
- Exhibits and Artifacts: The centre features audio-visual displays, interactive touch screens, and replica artifacts, including Norman weaponry, chain mail, clothing, and everyday tools. Visitors can explore a recreated Norman home to learn about daily life, dig for artifacts in the “Norman CSI” archaeology room, and discover whether they have a Norman surname. The Kitty Kiernan section includes period items and stories of Granard’s revolutionary past.
- Interactive Norman Adventure Tour: This part-guided, part-self-guided tour (1–1.5 hours) is the heart of the experience, suitable for all ages. Visitors don Norman peasant or knight costumes, wield replica weapons, and practice shield wall techniques, immersing themselves in medieval life. Guides like Déirdre Orme and Bartle are praised for their enthusiasm, knowledge, and ability to engage children and adults with humor and storytelling. Interactive elements include dressing up, weapons training, and archaeology activities, making history “fun and educational” (Tripadvisor reviews). The tour ends with a 500-year leap to Kitty Kiernan’s era, connecting Norman roots to modern Irish history.
- Family-Friendly Appeal: The centre is designed for families, with a children’s story corner, dress-up areas, and activities like the Norman CSI room tailored for younger visitors. School groups are welcomed, with tours aligned to primary and secondary curricula. Reviews highlight its accessibility for children under 12, though very young kids may need supervision.
- Atmosphere: Housed in a modern facility on Dublin Street, the centre contrasts with the ancient Motte, creating a blend of contemporary interactivity and historical gravitas. Visitors describe it as a “hidden gem” with a warm, community-driven vibe, reflecting Granard Motte Community Enterprise’s volunteer-led origins. The rural setting in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands adds a peaceful, authentic charm, with the Motte’s panoramic views a highlight.
Practical Details:
- Dublin St, Rathcronan, Granard, Co. Longford, N39 DE06, 15 km from Longford Town, 23.1 km from Rathcroghan, and 32.6 km from Clonmacnoise. It’s a 15-minute walk from Granard’s bus stop (local buses from Longford) or a €10–€25 taxi ride from Longford Town.
- Operating Hours: Open Saturday–Sunday, with tours by request (pre-booking required). Weekday group tours are available by appointment. The centre closes at 12 noon on Saint Brigid’s Bank Holiday and may vary during events. Last entry is 1 hour before closing. Confirm hours at www.knightsandconquests.ie or +353 86 700 6715, as 2025 schedules are pending.
- Admission: Approximately €5–€10 per person, with discounts for groups (10–40 people) and families. Exact prices are unconfirmed; contact info@knightsandconquests.ie for details. Walk-ins are welcome, but bookings are preferred, especially for groups.
- Fully wheelchair-accessible on one level, with parking for 40 cars and coaches. Photography is encouraged (no flash videography). No gift shop is currently operational, though one is planned.
- Amenities: No on-site café, so bring snacks or visit nearby Weirs Bar or Bia Deas Café (7.15 mi). Clean toilets and free parking are available. The centre encourages social media sharing to promote its community-led mission.
- Plan 1–1.5 hours for the tour and exhibits, or 2 hours with a Motte climb. Group visits may take longer.
- Nearby Attractions: Ardagh Heritage Centre, Saint Mel’s Cathedral, and Center Parcs Longford Forest are within 15 km. Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre (30 km), Clonmacnoise, and Rathcroghan complement a Hidden Heartlands itinerary.
What’s New:
- The Knights & Conquests Heritage Centre is advancing its ambitious €3.8m Norman Heritage Park project, with significant developments expected following archaeological groundwork and planning since 2018. While the full park may not be complete, progress and new events will enhance the visitor experience.
- Phase Two Development: Initiated with archaeological digging in 2020, the Norman Heritage Park aims to create a living Norman village on a 15-acre site beside the centre. Plans include 19 single-story traditional buildings within a timber palisade, defensive structures, a treasure trove, a pond, footpath trails, and expanded parking off Dublin Street (N55). Funded by €640,000 from Fáilte Ireland and community efforts, the project is expected to attract 40,000 visitors annually and sustain 25–30 jobs., construction is likely underway, following delays from COVID-19 and a nearby waste facility proposal (resolved by 2020). Visitors will see early elements like trail foundations or partial structures, though completion may extend to 2026. Contact the centre for construction updates to avoid disruptions.
- Heritage Week events feature a similar programme (likely mid-August), with horseback reenactments by Horsemen of Éire, Catfire Forge crafts, and Birds of Prey displays. These free or low-cost events, part of the Heritage Council’s nationwide celebrations, enhance the centre’s appeal.
- Children’s Summer Camps: After the 2023 “Children of Lughnasagh” camp, 2025 will see expanded summer heritage camps (July–August) with storytelling, hurling, and crafts like floral crown making. These camps, bookable via www.knightsandconquests.ie, cater to local and visiting families.
- Yuletide Fair and Santa Visit: A festive event with Santa is planned for early December 2025, building on the 2024 Yuletide Fair (December 9). This family-friendly day includes crafts and holiday activities, boosting winter visits.
- The €262,000 Just Transition Funding for Corlea Trackway’s feasibility study may indirectly benefit Knights & Conquests by improving regional connectivity, such as cycling routes or shuttle services along the Royal Canal.
Visitor Expectations:
- The centre is compact, and some may expect more artifacts, but its interactive focus and passionate guides compensate. It’s ideal for those seeking hands-on history rather than a traditional museum.
- Staff Engagement: Guides like Déirdre and Bartle are lauded, but enthusiasm can vary with volunteer staff. Booking ensures a dedicated tour.
- Limited Facilities: No café or gift shop (pending 2024 opening) may disappoint some. Plan dining in Granard.
- Construction Uncertainty: The Norman village’s timeline is unclear, with 2021 estimates targeting a 2022 opening now delayed. Visitors should expect construction noise or limited site access; confirm status at info@knightsandconquests.ie.
- Event Schedules Pending: Heritage Week and summer camp dates will be confirmed closer to 2025. Monitor www.knightsandconquests.ie or the centre’s Facebook (@KnightsAndConquests) for updates.
- Gift Shop Delay: Planned for spring 2024, the gift shop’s status is unconfirmed, limiting souvenir options.
A visit to the Knights & Conquests Heritage Centre offers an engaging, hands-on dive into Norman Ireland, with interactive tours, costume dress-ups, and weapons training beside Ireland’s tallest Norman Motte. The 1–1.5-hour experience, enriched by guides like Déirdre and Bartle, suits families, what Tourism Ireland marketing department calls the “culturally curious”, and school groups, with the Kitty Kiernan room adding a modern Irish twist. New, progress on the €3.8m Norman Heritage Park may introduce early village elements, while Heritage Week events, summer camps, and a Yuletide Fair enhance engagement. Book tours at www.knightsandconquests.ie or +353 86 700 6715
