Page 65 - The Drivers Guide 2019

The Driver's Guide
DONAGHMORE WORKHOUSE MUSEUM
JN 21 (R435) TOWARDS RATHDOWNEY
10 min from exit
Situated just outside the village of Donaghmore is the Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum, which tells the story of the families who lived and died within the famine workhouse walls before, during and after the Great Famine.
As a result of the Great Famine era of 1845-1849 about 1,200 people, or 10% of the population of the area, was forced to seek refuge here. The museum uses guided and self-guided tours, combined with various exhibits, to explain the socio-economic conditions which led to the establishment of this and other workhouses.
DURROW VILLAGE
JN 17 (N77) TOWARDS KILKENNY
19 min from exit
From its earliest record dating back to 546A.D. when the village was the site of a Monastery, to being the beautiful small town it is now, lies a huge history, a history that is waiting to unfold itself. In its heyday, the village had its own brewery, a flour mill, a malting enterprise and a factory that made high quality bricks and tiles.
The licence for a fair granted to Durrow in the mid-13 th century still takes place every year. Stroll through Durrow, visit Tae lane with its famine wall, the bygone museum and the fishing museum.
Put on your wellies and discover Saint Fantan’s well and hike along the river
on one of the loop-walks. Have dinner in an old coach house or lunch in one of the restored village grocery’s.
ABBEYLEIX HERITAGE TOWN
JN 17 (N77) TOWARDS ABBEYLEIX
9 min from exit
When the de Vesci family acquired Abbeyleix in 1750, they decided to move the town, so the old town was levelled and its people moved to a new planned settlement. Abbeyleix prospered in its new location and by 1837 had grown to 140 houses. Over the next century the main industries included flour mills, a brewery, and a factory that made carpets used all over the world, including on the luxury liner Titanic.
Visitors can admire the fine period buildings that remain in Abbeyleix, including the Church of Ireland, Baptist Meeting House, Wesleyan Meeting house, Catholic Church and the restored Sexton’s House. For the full story of the town, go to the Abbeyleix Heritage House in the old Patrician North School.
TOP HIGHLIGHT
HEYWOOD GARDENS
JN 17 (N77 AND R432) TOWARDS ABBEYLEIX 22 min from exit
Heywood Gardens were completed in 1912, and consist of 50 acres of gardens, lakes, woodland and architectural features. The gardens have a spectacular setting on a hillside looking south-east over a sweep of undulating country which takes in seven counties. A walk lined with lime trees leads to a formal terrace overlooking the surrounding countryside. The Gardens are open all year round.
BALLAGHMORE CASTLE
JN 21 (R435) NORTHBOUND 8 min from exit
Ballaghmore Castle is a unique and beautiful place, built in 1480 by the Gaelic Chieftain MacGiollaphadraig, now called Fitzpatrick - meaning son of the servant of Patrick. Ballaghmore was partially destroyed by Cromwell’s forces in 1647. It was restored in 1836 by a Mr Ely who found a hoard of gold on the land. Now a luxurious guest house, the castle is open to visitors all year round.
TIPPERARY
MONAINCHA ABBEY AND HIGH CROSS
JN 21 (R435 AND R445) TOWARDS ROSCREA
15 mins from exit
MONAINCHA Abbey is situated on what used to be an island in a bog. The principal remains are of a church with Romanesque features and later Gothic insertions and additions. The nave and chancel have a finely decorated 12th century west doorway and chancel arch constructed in a warm sandstone.
IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST 63