Rathcroghan Visitor Centre

Rathcroghan Visitor Centre The interpretive centre for the royal site of Connacht, Rathcroghan. The Home of the Warrior Queen M
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Great Value Guided Tours and Information - Genealogy and Family History, Celtic Royal Complex, Medieval Village, Queen Maeve and the Táin, Gaelic Kingship... all the myths and legends of Cruachan!

Aspects of The Taintranslated by Thomas Kinsella
12/01/2025

Aspects of The Tain
translated by Thomas Kinsella

Great shot of Orla Clogher ‘s representation of The Mórrígan, nestled on Tulsk Fort in the freezing fog by Gerry Faughna...
11/01/2025

Great shot of Orla Clogher ‘s representation of The Mórrígan, nestled on Tulsk Fort in the freezing fog by Gerry Faughnan Photography.

Pic of the day on the online Roscommon Herald - The Mórrígan, a figure from Irish mythology, represented as a raven on Tulsk Fort at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre. The installation was created by Roscommon artist Orla Clogher.

If you missed our sister project, Farming Rathcroghan on Ear to the Ground last night, catch up on
10/01/2025

If you missed our sister project, Farming Rathcroghan on Ear to the Ground last night, catch up on

We couldn't have put it better ourselves.Great description of this intriguing archaeological and literary rich landscape...
08/01/2025

We couldn't have put it better ourselves.
Great description of this intriguing archaeological and literary rich landscape.
Thanks Paul 😉
Check out Mount Talbot - A Journey Through the Ages

08/01/2025

Looking forward to seeing our sister project, Farming Rathcroghan featured on Ear to the Ground this coming Thursday evening. Great to see the project highlighted on the national airwaves.

Ráth Cruachan faoi bhrat sneachta inniu - Rathcroghan under cover of snow today.
07/01/2025

Ráth Cruachan faoi bhrat sneachta inniu - Rathcroghan under cover of snow today.

Nollaig na mBanThe 6th of January marks the religious Feast of the Epiphany and in Ireland it is also frequently referre...
06/01/2025

Nollaig na mBan

The 6th of January marks the religious Feast of the Epiphany and in Ireland it is also frequently referred to as Nollaig na mBan or Women’s Christmas, the celebration of which has seen a revival in this country over the last number of years.

It is the traditional day to take down your Christmas tree and decorations and it is interesting to note that some of the customs associated with it are similar to those practiced at Samhain or Halloween.
This includes the eating of barmbrack with the customary additions of a ring, a coin, a stick, a pea and a rag. A curious supernatural belief described how on this night well water would change into wine but that any attempt to sample this would bring very bad luck and hazardous consequences!

www.rathcroghan.ie

We were delighted to welcome the 2024, Rose of Tralee, Keely O’Grady to Rathcroghan Visitor Centre today who was accompa...
04/01/2025

We were delighted to welcome the 2024, Rose of Tralee, Keely O’Grady to Rathcroghan Visitor Centre today who was accompanied by the Kerry Rose, Emer Dineen. We would like to wish Keely, who represented New Zealand in the competition, an enjoyable and successful year in her ambassadorial role 🌹 .ie

Congratulations to those involved in the recently launched documentary Four Roads - A hurling Stronghold in South Roscom...
04/01/2025

Congratulations to those involved in the recently launched documentary Four Roads - A hurling Stronghold in South Roscommon. The documentary highlights the locality's long hurling tradition including a mention of a game of played in the location as far back as the 5th century.
See link below to view the documentary.

Roscommon Heritage News & Info
VisitRoscommon

04/01/2025

May we suggest a New Year’s resolution?
Visit one of the five locations listed in the post below and receive your card for a 20% discount at the other four locations and discover some of what County Roscommon has to offer. Truly a hidden gem in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands

Wishing all our visitors and followers a very happy new year - Thanks again for all your support in 2024. Why not start ...
31/12/2024

Wishing all our visitors and followers a very happy new year - Thanks again for all your support in 2024. Why not start 2025 with a tour of the Rathcroghan landscape with one of our guides and immerse yourself in one of Ireland’s most intriguing sites, steeped in archaeology and literature. See our website www. Rathcroghan.ie to discover more and book your tour.

We are delighted with the popularity of The Uí Chellaig Lords of UÍ Maine and Tír Maine, pictured here with an etched en...
19/12/2024

We are delighted with the popularity of The Uí Chellaig Lords of UÍ Maine and Tír Maine, pictured here with an etched engraving of the Uí Chellaig crest. This book identifies and reconstructs the physical appearance of the major Ó Cellaig lordly centres from their emergence as one of the principal offshoots of the Uí Maine in c.1100, to the demise of the lordship around the year 1600 Copies available in-store and online www.Rathcroghan.ie

New to our shelves Sligo History & Society: Interdisciplinary Essays on the History of an Irish County. Edited by Willia...
18/12/2024

New to our shelves Sligo History & Society: Interdisciplinary Essays on the History of an Irish County. Edited by William Nolan & Kieran O’Conor, this volume is the latest in the series of History & Society Publications from Geography Publications.

Christmas Holiday Timetable 🎄Please note our last day for posting items from our online shop is Friday, December 21st ht...
17/12/2024

Christmas Holiday Timetable 🎄

Please note our last day for posting items from our online shop is Friday, December 21st
https://www.rathcroghan.ie/shop/

Great recommendations if we do say so. Both available at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre.
16/12/2024

Great recommendations if we do say so.
Both available at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre.

If you are unsure on what to get a loved one that is interested in history for Christmas, then look no further than these two wonderful publications (or indeed a Christmas present to yourself!!). Both were published this year and are, in my opinion, the two most important historical publications to come out of this area in a generation, bringing the understanding of the Medieval Period, through to the 17th century, to extraordinary indepth levels. Both books were written by very good friends of mine who have been hugely supportive to me as I started out on my own historical journey and I have learned an enormous amount from them. The book on the left is called: 'The Uí Chellaig lords of Uí Maine and Tír Maine. An archaeological and landscape exploration of a later medieval inland Gaelic lordship', and it was written by Dr. Daniel Curley. This book identifies and reconstructs the physical appearance of the major Ó Cellaig lordly centres from their emergence as one of the principal offshoots of the Uí Maine in c.1100, to the demise of the lordship around the year 1600. Our own area features prominantly in this book, particularly Lough Croan and its environs, and I was walking a few inches taller when I saw 'Connolly, 2014' cited as a reference in a couple of pages!!! The book on the right is called: 'Anglicizing Tudor Connacht. The expansion of English rule in the lordships of Clanrickard and Hy Many', this book was written by Dr. Joseph Mannion, and it begins at the start of the sixteenth century, in the south Connacht lordships of Clanrickard and Hy Many. Clanrickard was ruled by the Burke dynasty, while Hy Many was governed by the indigenous Gaelic Irish O’Kelly lords. Both lay beyond the effective control of the Tudor government. Joe brilliantly charts the episodic expansion of English rule into the lordships and the consequent changes in the political, social and economic fabric of the province of Connacht. These are absolutely super books and are highly recommended, hugely important publications. Both are published by Four Courts Press, and may be purchased in all good book shops and at the following links: https://www.fourcourtspress.ie/books/2023/the-ui-chellaig-lords-of-ui-maine-and-tir-maine , https://www.fourcourtspress.ie/books/2024/anglicizing-tudor-connacht

To get your taste buds in the Christmas Mood why not treat yourself to our Turkey & Ham lunch special and we’ll treat yo...
16/12/2024

To get your taste buds in the Christmas Mood why not treat yourself to our Turkey & Ham lunch special and we’ll treat you to our trifle dessert 🎄💝

Address

Tulsk
COUNTYROSCOMMON

Opening Hours

Monday 9:15am - 4pm
Tuesday 9:15am - 4pm
Wednesday 9:15am - 4pm
Thursday 9:15am - 4pm
Friday 9:15am - 4pm
Saturday 9:15am - 4pm

Telephone

+353719639268

Website

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Videos

Discover the ancient landscape of Rathcroghan through our museum experience. Our Museum is opened Monday - Friday, 9.15am - 4.30pm OPW card accepted. #visitroscommon #ancientroyallandscape #irishliterature #irisharchaeology

“Rathcroghan The Guidebook Review By Evan” A Teenagers take on our Guidebook Hi, My name is Evan and i’m a 16 year old student from @elphincommunitycollege Today I read the Book ‘Rathcroghan The Guidebook’ and I was blown away. I love history and couldn’t believe how interesting this book was. I’ve grown up with my mother being from Roscommon and only living 20 minutes from Rathcroghan my whole life and yet I’d only heard a few little bits about Queen Medb. I had no idea the depth of this History or how it Makes up the Landscape I walk by everyday. One of the most interesting pages I read was Page 37 where it talked about Cashelmanannan which is an irish word that refers to a castle type building. These Cashels were built sometime 1-1000 AD, which was well before my time. Cashels in Kerry and Claire still stand today but without this book I wouldn’t know that they were usually built for high-status residents and that’s why they still stand today. I’ve always found reading books to be difficult and no matter how interesting it is, it’s hard to keep my attention just on the book. With this book that wasn’t the case because of its illustrations, that put what the book was saying in more detail. The book is written in a way that’s accessible for any level reader and it for sure is a must read for fans of Irish History, Archaeology and Mythology. A lot of people who are familiar with the term Ancient Ireland don’t know when it was actual happening, but this book puts it into perspective with an in-depth timeline of events. Now I know that the battle of Kinsale took place 1500 years after the Great Wall Of China was completed! How cool! Thanks for reading I’d rate this book a solid 8 out of 10. If you’d like to Learn more about Irish History you can Purchase this Book at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, In Tulsk. Co. Roscommon or from their website www.Rathcroghan.ie #keepdiscovering #irisharchaeology

The 6th of January marks the religious Feast of the Epiphany and in Ireland it is also frequently referred to as Nollaig na mBan or Women’s Christmas, the celebration of which has seen a revival in this country over the last number of years. It is the traditional day to take down your Christmas tree and decorations and it is interesting to note that some of the customs associated with it are similar to those practiced at Samhain or Halloween. This includes the eating of barmbrack with the customary additions of a ring, a coin, a stick, a pea and a rag. A curious supernatural belief described how on this night well water would change into wine but that any attempt to sample this would bring very bad luck and hazardous consequences! We thought we’d highlight just some of the imagery of two female figures associated with the Rathcroghan landscape, Queen Medb & The Morrigan, that we have had on view here at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre. A number are within publications. #nollaignamban #irishfolktales #traditions #keepdiscovering

The 2025 National Monuments Service Calendar shows a variety of castle styles that remain across the Irish landscape. We were delighted to see Moygara Castle of County Sligo amongst those highlighted. A recent publication, Moygara castle, County Sligo and the O’Garas of Coolavin highlights the variety of expertise, such as archaeology, architecture, history & geophysical studies, that have been involved in the conservation of this castle that had functioned as a stronghold of power in the 15th century for the O’Garas. As well as providing much-needed information about life in later-medieval Gaelic Ireland. Copies are available from our bookshop and online at https://www.rathcroghan.ie/product/moygara-castle-county-sligo-kieran-oconor-editor/

All things Rathcroghan. Spoiled for choice at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre. @roscommonheritagenewsandinfo #loverathcroghan #irisharchaeology #irishliterature

Delighted to support and highlight local authors and publications #loveroscommon

Beautifully commissioned prints, highlighting aspects of Roscommon’s heritage and of course Rathcroghan The Guidebook - Available in our gift shop or online. #giftideas #loveroscommon @printsofireland @roscommonheritagenewsandinfo

Want to know more about Roscommon’s Past? We have a number of titles to get you started over the holidays 📚#giftideas

Christmas gift ideas from Rathcroghan Visitors Centre 💝🎁 #giftofknowledge

We are delighted to have Annmarie Murray’s, ‘Cave of the Cats’ back in stock. This beautifully illustrated book is a captivating way to introduce children to Ireland’s intriguing literature and mythology. Cave of the Cats sold out quickly after its initial publication so don’t miss out this time. Pick up a copy from our book shop and online (link in bio) while stocks last. @roscommonheritagenewsandinfo @creativeireland @roscommoncountycouncil #originsofsamhain #roscommonrevealed

Hope you had a spooktacular Oíche Shamhna 💀 #originsofsamhain

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Our Story

The present-day landscape of Rathcroghan, Rath Cruachan ‘Fort of Cruachan’ in Irish, has an epic story to tell! The home to 240 archaeological monuments, dating from the Neolithic Period through to the Late Medieval, it is an astonishing testament to the past societies in the lush grassland of mid-Roscommon. It is from here that the Warrior Queen Medb of Connacht initiated the great Táin Bó Cúailnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley) as she went to claim the monstrous Donn Cúailnge!

So join us at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, located in the medieval village of Tulsk, on the N5 from Dublin to Westport, and 35 minutes from Knock International Airport. Here we have a NEW state-of-art, year-round, all-weather, wheelchair-accessible interpretive facility which brings the Rathcroghan story to life. Follow this up with a guided sites tour of Rathcroghan, led by our expert guides, before visiting the gift and book shop for a memento of your visit to the Royal Site of Connacht. Finally, recharge in the fitting environment of the Táin Café, enjoying a delicious locally-sourced meal or light refreshment surrounded by Irish myth and fable.

Rathcroghan Visitor Centre opens 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and 12pm to 4pm on Sundays from May to September. Last admission to our interpretive facility is 4.30pm, and you can contact us at (071)9639268 or [email protected] for more information. You can also go to rathcroghan.ie.