List of national monuments in County Waterford facts for kids
Ireland has many amazing old buildings and sites. Some of these are so important that the Irish government officially calls them national monuments. This means they are very special and need to be protected for everyone to enjoy. If a place is a national monument, it's usually because it's super old, has a lot of history, or is very unique. Sometimes, even the land around the monument is protected to keep it safe. This page lists the national monuments you can find in County Waterford.
National Monuments in County Waterford
Ardmore Cathedral
The Ardmore Cathedral is a very old church building located in Ardocheasty. It's not just a cathedral; it also has a tall, ancient Round Tower and a small oratory, which is like a tiny chapel. These buildings show us how people lived and worshipped many centuries ago.
Ballynageeragh Portal Tomb
The Ballynageeragh Portal Tomb is a type of ancient burial site. It's called a "portal tomb" because it has two tall stones at the front that look like a doorway or "portal." These tombs were built by early farmers in Ireland, thousands of years ago, to bury their dead. You can find this one in Ballynageeragh.
Kiltera Ogham Stones
The Kiltera Ogham Stones are special stones with ancient Irish writing carved into them. This writing is called Ogham, and it's made up of lines and notches along the edge of the stone. These stones were often used as markers or memorials. The Kiltera stones are found in Dromore.
Drumlohan Souterrain and Ogham Stones
The Drumlohan Souterrain and Ogham Stones are another interesting historical site. A "souterrain" is an underground passage or chamber, often used for storage or as a hiding place in ancient times. Along with the souterrain, there are also Ogham Stones here, just like the ones at Kiltera. This site is located in Drumlohan.
Dungarvan Castle
Dungarvan Castle is a strong castle found in the town of Dungarvan. Castles like this were built a long time ago for protection and to control the land. This castle has stood for many years and tells a story of battles and important events in Irish history.
Gaulstown Portal Tomb
The Gaulstown Portal Tomb is another example of an ancient portal tomb. It's a very impressive structure made of huge stones, carefully placed to form a burial chamber. These tombs are a reminder of the very first people who lived in Ireland. You can see this one in Gaulstown.
Knockeen Portal Tomb
Similar to the others, the Knockeen Portal Tomb is an ancient burial monument. It's made from large stones that create a chamber and a distinctive "portal" entrance. These tombs are thousands of years old and show us how early communities honored their dead. It is located in Knockeen.
Matthewstown Passage Tomb
The Matthewstown Passage Tomb is a different type of ancient burial site. Instead of a portal, it has a long passage leading to a central burial chamber. These tombs were often used for multiple burials and sometimes had special meanings related to the sun or moon. This one is found in Matthewstown.
Mothel Abbey
Mothel Abbey was once a priory, which is a type of monastery, for Augustinian monks. These religious buildings were very important centers of learning and community life in medieval Ireland. Even though it's now in ruins, it still shows the history of the monks who lived there. It is located in Mothel.
Double Tower
The Double Tower is part of the old town defenses of Waterford city. In the past, cities had walls and towers to protect their people from invaders. This tower is a reminder of Waterford's history as an important walled city.
Reginald's Tower
Reginald's Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Waterford city and is also part of its old town defenses. It's a very old and strong tower that has been used for many different things over the centuries, from a fortress to a prison. It's a symbol of Waterford's long history.
French Church, Waterford
The French Church, Waterford was once a Friary Church, belonging to Franciscan monks. Friaries were similar to monasteries but often focused more on helping people in towns and cities. This church, located in Waterford, has a rich history and shows the religious life of the city in past times.
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