Roscrea Town, Co.Tipperary

Images from the Roscrea Heritage Society

Roscrea, Co Tipperary, in the heart of Ireland is one of the oldest and most historic towns in the country. Here, one truly walks among the centuries. Situated on the Slí Dhála, one of the five great roads of ancient Ireland, it grew, first of all as a monastic settlement - its twelfth century ecclesiastical ruins indicate its former importance - and then as a major medieval centre around a royal castle. A Franciscan Friary and other notable buildings show the wealth of antiquity from later times.

Here and there the monuments remain as mute sentinels, but the people are welcoming and ald-fashioned in one important aspect: hospitality. Fáilte go Ros Cré, welcome to Roscrea, the inland gateway to Thomond and to the Shannon Region, and a vibrant historic centre in the Monastic Midlands of Ireland

Roscrea's monastic story is today carried on at the Cistercian Abbey of Mount St Joseph, 3 kms west of the town. Two restored tower houses, Leap Castle and Ballaghmore are within easy reach and are open for visitors. The newly created Fancroft Gardens may be visited by appointment or on open days.

Other historic sites within easy reach of the town are: the monastic site of Seir Kieran, four kms north of Leap Castle; the enigmatic Timoney Stones (Bronze age monument or medieval folly?) situated outside the village of Knock on the north eastern borders of Co Tipperary; and Ballinakill Castle visible of the N7 between Roscrea and Dunkerrin.

Today Roscrea is one of Ireland's designated heritage towns and Roscrea Heritage Society and Dúchas, the State Heritage Service, have formed a partnership to manage and present the area's historical monuments.

Visit their site: www.roscreaheritagesociety.com