Top 10 Heritage Towns of Ireland

Listowel, County Kerryinclude, the Bolton Library, the Folk Village and
The market town of Listowel is situated in NorthDominic's Abbey.
Kerry, on the banks of the river Feale. AsDalkey, County Dublin
regards cultural heritage, Listowel has so much toDalkey started out as a Viking settlement and
offer. Taking pride of place in the town square isprogressed to an important port in the Middle
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, which datesAges. St. Begnet is the patron Saint of Dalkey.
back to 1829. All that remains of 12th centuryIn Dalkey today, you can visit the Dalkey Castle
Listowel Castle is two square towers. The Dannyand Heritage Centre. Here you can enjoy a "Living
lodge dates back to the 19th century and there isHistory Tour" of the Castle, provided by local
also a small stretch of the Lartigue railway to begroup Deilg Inis Living History Theatre Company.
seen.Also on site is a tenth century church and
Cobh, County Corkgraveyard, heritage museum and art gallery.
Cobh has had a few name changes during the lastLiterary and Historical guided walks are available.
couple of hundred years. In 1750 it was known asKells, County Meath
Cove, then when Queen Victoria visited in 1849, itSt. Colmcille set up a religious community back in
was re-named Queenstown. The foundation of550 in Kells. However prior to this it was a royal
the Irish Free State in 1922 saw it revert toresidence. Kells today has many examples of
Cobh.ancient and medieval remains, including the
Probably the saddest and most emotional place inMonastic enclosure with the High Crosses, Round
Ireland between 1848 and 1950, as it was fromTower, St. Colmcilles House and the famous
Cobh that 2.5 million Irish people departed for aScriptural Market Cross (at the entrance to the
new life in America.Heritage Centre).
What will you see in Cobh? For a start there isA visit to Kells Heritage Centre is a must, where
the Cobh Heritage Centre, the statue of Annieyou will see a scaled model of a monastic site,
Moore and her brothers, the tower of St. Colmanreplicas from monastic times and enjoy an audio
Cathedral, and the Lusitania Peace Memorial tovisual presentation, which puts everything into
name but a few.perspective.
Kinsale, County CorkWestport, County Mayo
The historical town of Kinsale has so much toWestport town centre is fashioned in Georgian
offer, from 17th century military forts, to castlesarchitectural style. Lord Sligo commissioned the
and churches. High on the must see list is Charlesplanning of the town in 1780. A tree lined
Fort and directly across from it, James Fort.boulevard, known as the Mall is one of the main
Kinsale Garden of Remembrance is dedicated tofeatures of the town, along with Westport House
Fr. Michael Judge chaplain of the New York fireGardens and Country Park, and Clew Bay
fighters and to the 343 fire fighters who died onHeritage Centre.
09/11.Forest and Historical walks are also a feature. And
St. Multose Church dates back to 1190 and is stillyou can avail of the opportunity to see the old
in use today.sport of Road Bowling.
Other popular sites include, the Almshouse, theBirr, County Offaly
Courthouse and Regional Museum, DesmondBirr was once known as Parsonstown, because of
Castle and the International Museum of Wine.local landowners the Parsons, who were also the
Lismore, County WaterfordEarls of Rosse. Brendan Parsons, the current and
The first stop in Lismore has to be the Lismoreseventh Earl of Rosse resides in Birr Castle. As
Heritage Centre. The audiovisual display takes youthe castle is an occupied family home, it is only
back to St. Carthage's arrival in 636 right throughopen to the public on special occasions. However
to modern times. The centre also houses thethe gardens are open to tourists all year round,
Robert Boyle Science Room, a room dedicated toand while you are there look out for the
the life and works of the father of Chemistry,Leviathan of Parsonstown (a large astronomical
Robert Boyle.telescope).
Places of historical interest to see in the town areKilrush, County Clare
Lismore Castle and Gardens, St Carthage'sCill Rois (the church of the woods) has links back
Cathedral, St. Carthage's Church, the Carnegieto the 16th century. Like Westport is a planned
Library and the Famine Graveyard.town, and can owe its layout to the Vandeleur
Cashel, County Tipperaryfamily, wealthy landlords of the 18th century. You
Once upon a time when Ireland had 4 kingswill notice that some of the streets today have
governing the provinces, Cashel was actually thebeen named after Vandeleur family members.
seat of the Kings of Munster. But it is only fair toPlaces of interest in the town include the
say that the most famous landmark in Cashel ismonument to the Manchester Martyrs, the
the Rock of Cashel. Historic events that occurredstained glass windows of St. Senan's church,
here include St. Patrick converting King Aenghus,Vandeleur walled gardens, Millenium Park and
and Brian Boru was crowned High King of Ireland.nearby Scattery Island which includes a round
Other must see attractions to put on your listtower and the ruins of the old Cathedral.