オファリーの洞窟・トップ7

Leisurely tour through the castle gardens.

Birr Castle is a large privately owned castle which is the home of the 7th Earl of Rosse and his family so much of the residential areas of the castle are not open to the public. However the grounds and gardens are and this includes the on site science museum and café. Not any science museum though it is actually Ireland's Historic Science Centre. Here is also a reflecting telescope which was at one stage the largest in the world called the Leviathan. All in all it is very impressive, if you have the time go and see and visit.

Walk on by the wonderful Ballycowan Catle perched on the edge of the Grand Canal just 4km from Tullamore. The castle was built in 1589 as a fortified house by Thomas Morres.

This magnificent castle, which lies just outside Tullamore, is a fantastic example of a castle built for defense. It was built by Elizabethan officer John Briscoe and is open for the public to explore.

Birr Castle has been the seat of the Parsons family since 1620. The place was named Parsonstown after them until the late 19th century, when it was renamed Birr.

During the period 1170-1220 the Anglo-Normans began the Colonisation of Ireland, building Motte and Bailey Castles throughout Ireland. The wooden castle that stood on the top of the motte at Clonmacnoise was destroyed by fire and later in 1214 the Justiciar of Ireland, Henry of London, built a stone castle on the motte. This was to gain control over the midlands and guard the bridge across the River Shannon. This was a very significant period in history as it marks the time when Clonmacnoise went into decline as a monastic city. Before the normans arrived these lands belonged to the abbot of Clonmacnoise. In 1216 Henry of London was ordered to compensate the abbot for his lands and any others items like animals or fruit trees the abbot may have lost. There is a large bank and a very deep fosse surrounding the D-shaped motte. The castle was destroyed during the gaelic resurgence in the late 13th early 14th century. Originally it had three storeys but very little remains of the castle today. The ruins are very dangerous, delicately balanced on the edge of the mound. http://www.megalithicireland.com/Clonmacnoise%20Castle.html

Walk on by the wonderful Ballycowan Catle perched on the edge of the Grand Canal just 4km from Tullamore. The castle was built in 1589 as a fortified house by Thomas Morres.

This enchanting castle nearby to the town of Tullamore is known to be one of the finest gothic-style castles in Ireland. It features turrets, towers, and hand-carved stairways as well as a beautiful outdoor area covered in lush greenery, forest paths, and fairy doors. The long avenue to the forecourt is fully open to the public, if you wish to partake in one of the daily guided tours you can call up in advance and book +353 57 932 3040