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Connaught/Connachta West trail

Dunguaire Castle, Tyrone House, Turoe Stone, Aran Islands/Oileáin Árann, The Inchagoill Stone, Ashford Castle, Cong North Stone Circle, Cregduff Henge, Croagh Patrick/Cruach Phádraig, Westport House, Céide Fields/ Achaidh Chéide and Ballyglass Court Tomb

Dunguaire Castle

This is an early sixteenth century tower house standing at about seventy-five feet in height with a large defensive wall. More on Dunguaire Castle

Tyrone House

This is a ruined late eighteenth century house on a coastal promontory, which was burnt down by the IRA in the Irish War of Independence. More on Tyrone House

Turoe Stone

This is a decorated carved stone near the village of Ballaun in County Galway. It is set in the front of Turoe House and stands about three feet in height. It has carved concentric spiral designs and was moved to it's present site in the nineteenth century from the Rath of Freewore. More on Turoe Stone

Aran Islands/Oileáin Árann

The Aran Islands contain numerous stone forts and an early Christian corbel roofed hut/cell. More on Aran Islands/Oileáin Árann

The Inchagoill Stone

This is an early Christian sculptured stone on Inchagoill Island on Lough Corrib in County Galway which is reached by boat from Oughterard in County Galway or Cong a village that is on the borders of County Galway and County Mayo. More on The Inchagoill Stone

Ashford Castle

This Norman castle was built in 1228 and extended in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It was built by the de Burgo family and is now a luxury hotel located near the town of Cong on the northern end of Lough Corrib in County Galway. More on Ashford Castle

Cong North Stone Circle

There are a group of four stone circles close to each other. The north circle is about fifty four feet in diameter with eighteen remaining stones reaching to about four feet in height. A kerbed cairn and mound is within the circle. More on Cong North Stone Circle

Cregduff Henge/Enclosure

This Henge is made up of an approximately 31 metre central area surrounded by two double banks and ditches. On the edge of the outer bank are 135 remaining stones. More on Cregduff Henge/Enclosure

Croagh Patrick/Cruach Phádraig

Croagh Patrick is a mountain of 2,507 feet in height and is a pilgrimage site associated with St Patrick who is said to have fasted and built a church there. Croagh Patrick/Cruach Phádraig

Westport House

This is an eighteenth century house designed by Richard Cassels and James Wyatt built on the site of previous castle owned by the O'Malley family. The chief of the O'Malley Clan was Gráinne Ní Mháille famously known as the Pirate Queen of Connaught and the dungeons of her castle can still be seen in the basement of the house. More on Westport House

Céide Fields/Achaidh Chéide

Céide Fields is a field system and settlements site dating to 3000BC and before. It is the most extensive Stone Age monument in the world with dwelling houses, tombs and stone walled field systems. More on Céide Fields/Achaidh Chéide

Ballyglass Court Tomb

This is a 27 metre long tomb with a long central court with a twin chambered gallery at each end. More on Ballyglass Court Tomb


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