Sites within a 15 mile radius of Ross Castle County Museum (8 miles) Location: Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan, Ireland Cavan County Museum, is a magnificent 19th century building designed by Cavan architect William Hague. It is beautifully situated amid extensive grounds, nestling among the East Cavan lakes and drumlins. Some of the facilities available at Cavan County Museum include picnic areas, gardens, walkways, nature trails, exhibition galleries both temporary and permanent, audiovisual displays and interactives. The second floor is also used to house temporary exhibitions both local and national. Artists, Sculptors, Craft workers, musicians, and Quilt makers have all displayed their work in this gallery. It is also used for school workshops during the school term and holiday seasons. Loughcrew Cairns (9 miles) Location: Loughcrew, Oldcastle, Co. Meath, Ireland The Loughcrew Cairns, are a group of Neolithic passage tombs dating to 3000BC. Stunning views of Ireland as well as these magnificent ancient tombs make this place well worth a visit. No wheelchair access unfortunately. Tullynally Castle and Gardens (11 miles) Location: Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath, Ireland Romantic woodland and walled gardens laid out in early 19th century and recently extended and replanted in particular with collections of maples, magnolias and plants collected in Western China. The pleasure grounds include a grotto, two ornamental lakes. This castle, home of the Pakenham family since the 17th century, was later transformed into a romantic gothic revival castle. It is one of the largest castles in Ireland. Fore Abbey (15 miles) Location: Fore, Co. Westmeath, Ireland Established originally in 630AD by St. Fechin and set in the rolling hills of Westmeath, this site now houses the remains of a 13th century Benedictine Priory, an anchorite cell and St. Fechins Church. Also discover the seven wonders of Fore. Sites with a good half hour's drive Sites North of Ross Castle Killykeen Forest Park (16 miles) Location: Co. Cavan, Ireland This beautiful park is woven around lake and islands of Lough Oughter. Cavan Crystal (19 miles) Location: Cavan, Co. Cavan Ireland's second oldest glassworks. In April 1999, phase one of a two year development began here in the form of a new visitor centre. Situated on the N3 just minutes from Cavan town, they offer the visitor comfy sofas, open fires and local/nationally produced crafts. Drumlane Monastic Sites (26 miles) Location: Milltown, Co. Cavan, Ireland An idyllic setting between Lakes Drumlane and Derrybrick. A round tower and church mark this sixth century monastic site. The church building dates from thirteenth or fourteenth century and is located half a mile form Milltown village. Slieve Russell Golf Club (36 miles) Set in the heart of the Cavan countryside, this Paddy Merrigan designed championship{short description of image} course winds its way through natural drumlins and makes full use of the lakes. It provides a testing experience for golfers of all abilities. Water features from Lough Aghavoher and Lough Rud require careful shot playing. The Cavan Way (56 miles) Location: Dowra to Blacklion, Co. Cavan, Ireland The Cavan Way provides a pleasant hill and valley walking connection between the Leitrim Way at Dowra, a small village community near the source of the River Shannon and the Ulster Way at Blacklion village. Sites East of Ross Castle Ballinlough Castle Garden Demesne (17 miles) Location: Ballinlough, Co. Meath, Ireland This 17th century castle is the home of Mr and Mrs Nugent. The walled garden encloses 1.2ha and is divided into four walled sections. On view are herbaceous borders, grass tennis courts, a rose garden, a lily pond, a herb and soft fruit garden. The gardens have been under restoration since 1994, and are now open to the public, together with the lakeside and woodland walks. Áras Cilian (St Kilian Heritage Centre) (18 miles) Location: Mullagh, Co. Cavan, Ireland This heritage centre traces the fascinating life and turbulent times of the Cavan born, St Kilian. Saint Kilian was born in Mullagh, County Cavan in 640 AD. In 686AD he became a missionary in Wurzburg, Germany where he was martyred in 689AD. The exhibition and audio-visual here deal with Saint Killian including his times, work, martyrdom and subsequent cult. Kells Heritage Centre (22 miles) Location: Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland Kells Heritage Centre is a new vibrant visitor attraction located in the Heritage Town of Kells. Housed in the beautifully restored courthouse are multi-media exhibition, gift shop and Tourist Information Office. Kells High Cross and Round Tower (22 miles) Location: Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland As one of the religious centres of Western Europe in the 8th & 10th century, this holy site not only housed the Book of Kells for centuries but also produced one of Ireland's most important collection of High Crosses, some of them still standing. Hill of Tara (32 miles) Location: Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland This ancient site, and one of Ireland’s premier attractions, was the symbolic seat of Ireland’s High Kings until the 11th century. Ring forts can be seen but unfortunately some were damaged by English searching for the Ark of the Covenant. Hill of Slane (40 miles) Location: Slane, Co. Meath, Ireland It was on the Hill of Slane that St. Patrick lit his Pascal fire at Easter in 433 A.D. It is here that one can see the remains of the 16th century church on the site of the ancient church founded by St. Patrick. Bru na Boinne Visitors Centre (Newgrange) (43 miles) Location: Newgrange, Co. Meath, Ireland This magnificent visitors centre explores the archaeological heritage of the Boyne Valley, including the megalithic passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth, some of the most famous prehistoric monuments in Western Europe dating from 5000BC. Newgrange Open Farm (43 miles) Location: Newgrange, Slane , Co. Meath, Ireland A traditional working farm where you can enjoy a unique hands on experience. Visitors can hold and feed farm animals, view demonstration displays of crops, vintage farm machinery, tractor and trailer rides. Irelands leading genuine working farm open to the public. Situated in the Boyne Valley, surrounding the Newgrange Monument. Cuddle a kitten, hold a chick, pet a pony, feed the ducks, play with the pig or maybe bottle feed the lambs. Coffee shop, picnic area, toilets, gift shop. Trim Castle (43 miles) Location: Trim, Co. Meath, Ireland Trim Castle is the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Hugh de Lacy began construction of the {short description of image}castle in about 1172 but the central tower - the keep - was not completed until the 1220s. This twenty sided tower is three stories high. Butterstream Gardens (43 miles) Location: Kildalkey Road, Trim, County Meath, Ireland A wonderful two acre garden. Described by House & Gardens as the most imaginative garden in Ireland, Butterstream is a modern creation having been made single-handed by its owner since the early 1970’s. Trim Heritage Centre & King Johns Castle (43 miles) Location: Trim , Co. Meath, Ireland The "Power and the Glory" exhibition brings to light the lifestyle of Norman times. King Johns Castle, constructed in 1220, is the largest and best preserved Norman Castle in Ireland and was used as a location for the award winning film Braveheart. Sonairte (56 miles) Location: The National Ecology Centre, Laytown , Co. Meath, Ireland Sonairte is Irelands premier environmental visitor centre. The centre contains an organic garden, riverside nature trail, renewable energy interactive park, wind, rain and solar exhibits. Sites South of Ross Castle Mullingar Bronze and Pewter Visitor Centre (23 miles) Location: Mullingar , Co. Westmeath, Ireland Two of Irelands best craft studios Mullingar Pewter and Genesis Fine Arts built with the visitor in mind. Here you can discover some of the hidden secrets, skills and magic mixed to create products which date back over 800 years. Belvedere House (23 miles) Location: Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland This, the newest attraction in the Irish Midlands opened in April 2000 at Mullingar. The magnificent early 18th century stately home of Robert Rochfort, Earl of Belvedere, stands in 160 acres of parkland on the shores of Lough Ennell. The eighteenth century hunting lodge, walled garden and landscaped park have been restored to their former glory and there are also a wide range of facilities to enjoy. Rockfield House and Gardens (23 miles) Location: Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland Rockfield is a classical Georgian home with delicate and ornate plaster work, offering traditional character and charm. It stands secluded among mature trees in natures wonderland garden and woods with wandering wildlife and farm animals. Tyrrellspass Castle & Museum (38 miles) Location: Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath, Ireland 13th century tower house originally home to the Tyrrell family who were cousins of William the Conqueror. Facilities include: museum, gift shop and licensed restaurant. Lockes Distillery (38 miles) Location: Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath, Ireland Lockes Distillery was licensed in 1757 and produced whiskey for over 200 years. Now open as a museum, it is the only sample left in Ireland of a typical small pot distillery. Follow the process of making triple distilled, Irish Whiskey, from the grinding of the grain to the casking of the final product. At the end of the museum tour guests receive a complimentary sample of the seven year old, Lockes Irish Whiskey. Dun na Si Cultural & Heritage Park (47 miles) Location: Moate, Co. Westmeath, Ireland In the center of Ireland Dun na Si is a microcosm of Irish culture. Explore the folk park: a picture of by-gone days with preserved farm machinery. Trace your family roots with the assistance of qualified researchers. Enjoy music, dance, song and story-telling of the Folklore show. Moate Museum (47 miles) Location: Moate , Co. Westmeath, Ireland Over 1,000 artifacts covering the folk history of the town in the 18th and 19th century. Tullamore Dew (48 miles) Location: Tullamore , Co. Offaly, Ireland Exploring Tullamore's distilling, canal and urban history. Courtesy tasting of Tullamore Dew (whiskey) after the visit. Charleville Castle (48 miles) Location: Tullamore , Co. Offaly, Ireland Dating from 1798, this is one of the finest examples of the great Gothic houses in Ireland. The entire structure stands in its original form, having never been altered externally. An Dun Transport and Heritage Museum (46 miles) Location: Doon, Ballinahown, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland This museum displays features of road transport dating from 1922 to the classics of the 60's, beautifully restored and displayed by their owners - farm machinery, commercial and motoring auto-mobilia, household utensils, model rail display and video. Athlone Castle (46 miles) Location: Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland Built in the 13th century to command the ford on the Shannon. Athlone Castle now includes audio-visual presentations on the flora, fauna and the power resources of the Shannon, Count John McCormack and the siege of 1691. There is also a museum and coffee shop. The Viking Ship (46 miles) Location: Athlone, Co. Westmeath 0902/73383 Cruises to Loughrea and historic Clonmacnoise on a replica Viking Ship. Dress up in Viking Costumes, helmets, swords and shields Clonmacnoise (65 miles) Location: Shannonbridge, Co. Offally, Ireland An early Christian site founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century on the banks of the River Shannon. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches (10th-13th century), two round towers, three high crosses. Clonmacnoise and West Offaly Railway (65 miles) Location: Shannonbridge , Co. Offaly, Ireland Tel: 0905/74114 This 45 minute train journey gives a guided 9km (5 ½ mile) tour out across a working environment, a cutaway area of preserved peatlands showing 12,000 years of history, heritage and archaeology. The Shannon Water Meadows (65 miles) Location: Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly, Ireland See the water meadows near the monastic site of Clonmacnoise where the corncrake may still be heard. Ashbrook Open Farm and Agricultural Museum (65 miles) Location: Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly, Ireland The main activities in this working family farm are sheep and cattle. There is also a wide selection of other farm animals and pets to be seen and a selection of breeds of domestic and rare birds, including fancy pheasants. Lusmagh Farm (68 miles) Location: Banagher, Co. Offaly, Ireland This mostly mixed sheep and cattle farm has a large variety of other farm animals and pets on view. A range of decorative fowl and wild birds are a popular feature. Birr Outdoor Education Centre (70 miles) Location: Co. Offaly, Ireland The centre is located on the edge of Birr Town, on the Birr/Roscrea road. Just 10 minutes drive from the centre the Slieve Bloom Mountains provide a rich field of study for the historian, {short description of image}antiquarian, archaeologist, geologist and botanist. Rock of Cashel (120 miles) Location: Co. Tipperary, Ireland The spectacular group of Mediaeval buildings set on an outcrop of a limestone in the Golden Vale including a round tower, Romanesque Chapel, cathedral and restored hall of the Vicar's Choral. Open all year and by appointment, admission charge. Sites West of Ross Castle Ardagh Heritage Centre (20 miles) Location: Ardagh, Co. Longford, Ireland Ardagh Heritage Centre is located in an the old 1898 schoolhouse. The story of Ardagh is one of history, literature and storytelling and the exhibition in the centre draws on the rich fabric of Ardagh life down through the ages, including its Carrigglas Manor (28 miles) Location: Longford , Co. Longford, Ireland Carrigglas Manor is the seat of the Lefroy family who are still in residence there. Visit includes a guided tour of the fine interior, stable yard, woodland/water garden, costume and lace museum and gallery. Ballinamuck Visitors Centre (31 miles) Location: Ballinamuck , Co. Longford, Ireland In the historical former RIS Barracks you will find this lively exhibition giving details of the battle of Ballinamuck and 1798. Corlea Trackway Visitors Centre (35 miles) Location: Kenagh, Longford , Co. Longford, Ireland Here the centre tells the story of the local Iron Age bog road which was built in the year 148BC across the boglands close to the River Shannon. This oak road is the largest of its kind to have been discovered in Europe. Bogwood Sculpture (39 miles) Location: Newtowncashel , Co. Longford, Ireland Bogwood is found in Irish Bogs where it has been preserved for 5,000 years. From this, beautiful sculptures are created by artists Michael and Kevin Casey. Here at their workshop and studio the story of bogwood is told through video, Strokestown Famine Museum (44 miles) Location: Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, Ireland The Great Irish famine of the 1840's is now regarded as the single greatest social disaster of 19th century Europe. Between 1845 and 1850, when blight devastated the potato crop, in excess of two million people - almost one-quarter of the entire population - either died or emigrated. The Famine Museum is located in the original Stable Yards of Strokestown Park House. It was designed to commemorate the history of The Great Irish Famine of the 1840's and in some way to balance the history of the 'Big House'. Arigna Mining Experience (47 miles) Location: Arigna, Co. Roscommon, Ireland Arigna Mining Experience opened Ireland’s first Coal Mining Museum in April of this year. With an exhibition area tracing 400 years of mining and a tour which actually takes you through what was a working mine, the whole experience is both educational and extremely intriguing for kids. All of our tour guides are ex-miners and are therefore able to relate a history of a life that no longer exists in a way which is both educational as well as being interesting.. The Suck Valley Visitor Centre (54 miles) Standing on the banks of the River Suck in Athleague, this award-winning Centre, which was originally used as a Church of Ireland, dates from the early 19th century. It now houses a Coffee Shop, Visitor Information, Craft/Gift Shop and Conference facilities. The Suck Valley Visitor Centre provides detailed information on local attractions. Derryglad Folk Museum (55 miles) The museum is privately owned and run, and houses a unique 25-year collection of horse-drawn machinery, tradesman tools, collection of butter-making equipment, household utensils, old-style thatched bar and grocery, old-style garage, gramophones and old records, old and rare washing machines and laundry memorabilia and a wide-ranging collection of rural artifacts. Boyle Abbey(60 miles) Boyle Abbey is an impressive and well-preserved Cistercian monastery, which was founded in the 12th century under the patronage of the local ruling family, the MacDermots. Although it was used to accommodate a military garrison during the 17th and 18th centuries, Boyle Abbey still retains its ability to impress the visitor as one of the most formidable of the early Cistercian foundations in Ireland. A restored gatehouse of 16th/17th century houses an exhibition. Castlerea Railway Museum (67 miles) A metropolitan Vickers diesel-electric locomotive dating from 1956, which was purchased from Iarnród Éireann minus its machinery, and moved to the premises where it was converted into a snug. A Railway Museum has been built around the locomotive, and the overall effect suggests that it has arrived through the wall of the building into the bar. A valued repository of railway heritage memorabilia in the country with the exception of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Belleek Pottery (72 miles) Location: Belleek, Co. Fermanagh, Ireland Established in 1857 Belleek Pottery holds a very special place in the cultural and commercial heritage of County Fermanagh. Nestling on the banks of the River Erne this imposing building is home to the world famous Belleek Fine Parian china and also to one of Irelands top five visitor attractions. The building which, up until 1988, was used to produce Belleek has since been refurbished internally and features a museum, tearoom, video theatre and showroom.