Drumshinnagh House
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Culture
National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life is home to the national collection of objects representing the traditional way of life in Ireland since 1850. Even if you've never been a fan of musuems, we think this one will change your mind. The musuem opened to rave reviews and has been receiving them ever since. This really is an un-missable attractions for young and old.
Croagh Patrick
Rising to 764m to the east of Louisburgh, the cone of Croagh Patrick dominates Clew Bay and the Westport area. It was the pagan home of the mother goddess, now converted into the holiest mountain in Christian Ireland, and on a fine day offers an awesome panorama, stretching from the Twelve Bens in the south to Slieve League in the north.
Ballintubber Abbey
Ballintubber Abbey was founded in 1216 by Cathal Crovdearg O'Conor, King of Connacht, near the site of the church built by St Patrick in 441. Despite the Abbey's turbulent history, which included repression and burning, the Abbey 'refused to die' and now has the unique status of being Ireland's only royal Abbey which has been incontinuous use for over 780 years.
Ceide Fields
The Céide Fields are the oldest known field systems in the world, over five and a half millennia old. It is a unique Neolithic landscape of world importance, which has changed our perception of our Stone Age ancestors. The remains of stone field walls, houses and megalithic tombs are preserved beneath a blanket of peat over several square miles. They tell a story of the everyday lives of a farming people, their organized society, their highly developed spiritual beliefs, and their struggle against a changing environment beyond their control.
Knock Shrine
Knock is the Irish word for a hill, and the name of a village which rises just above the gentle undulating landscape of East Mayo. During the last century and a quarter, it has distinguished itself nationally and internationally by being Ireland’s main centre of Marian devotion. This came about because fifteen people aged between 6 and 75 saw an apparition of the Virgin in August 1879 outside the south gable of the parish church in the centre of the village.
Cong Abbey
The Augustinian Abbey at Cong was founded in the early 12th century by Turlough O'Connor (High King of Ireland), and was built on the site of a 6th century church associated with Saint Feichin. It features some very fine examples of stone carvings, as well as a cloister. The Cross of Cong, the famous gold cross which is believed to have once contained a relic of the True Cross of Christ, is now in the National Museum in Dublin.
Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle is a medieval castle near Cong in County Mayo on the shore of Lough Corrib. The original building at Ashford Castle dates back to 1228 when it was used as a monastery. The de Burgos family built it after the native O'Connors of Connaught defeated them. The castle was expanded and fortified by other lords over the years. Ashford Castle Ireland is truly luxurious and quite popular with celebrities and heads of state, including American presidents.
Kylemore Abbey
Kylemore Abbey is a Benedictine monastery founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle, in Connemara, County Galway. The abbey was founded for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I. The name Kylemore originates from the Irish words Coill Mhór – meaning Great Wood.