Sightseeing in the Heart of Ireland

Simply click on each of the Days to read full details of the suggested itinerary.

These itineraries are designed for a leisurely day's drive from your base in Ardmore House

Day 2

Following Breakfast at Ardmore House

Kilcormac Pieta
The Kilcormac Pieta in the Catholic Church Kilcormac a 16th century continental work believed to be of Spanish origin the only one of it's kind to survive the ravages of Penal times in Ireland. When Cromwell's army visited Fircell,the pieta was then housed in Ballyboy Church. They were seen coming and eight local men removed the pieta and hid it in the bog where it remained for sixty years until one of the men named Coady at the age of ninety on his deathbed revealed where it was. His bed was put on a cart and taken to the bog to recover the statue.

Lough Boora Parklands
Located on the road that links Kilcormac(N52) to Boora village (R357) a vast wetland on cutaway bog. You can travel by car bike on foot or by canoe Bring your binoculars, your plant guide book or your fishing rod for coarse or game
fishing or just some bread to feed the ducks. The parklands have angling lakes some of which are wheelchair accessible many kilometers of walkways, a bird watching lookout tower picnic areas and car-parking facilities

Bog Train
To experience a unique learning experience take a trip on the Bog Train at Blackwater(R357) near Shannonbridge. Guided trips run on the hour April to October 10am to 5pm

Clonmacnoise
The ancient site of Clonmacnoise was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran The monastic ruins are one of the most extensive of their kind in Ireland consisting of a cathedral, 8 churches, 2 round towers and 3 high crosses. There are also the remains of a 13th century castle. The site is interpreted through a modern visitors' centre.

An Dun Transport and Heritage Museum
This museum houses an excellent exhibition of vintage cars, trucks and farm
machinery at Ballinahown(N62). Recently expanded to include a model railway and cable car display

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