List of national monuments in County Galway facts for kids
The Irish government has officially chosen many special places in County Galway to be protected as national monuments. These are important historical sites or buildings that tell us a lot about Ireland's past. When a place is named a national monument, it means it's really important for the whole country, and the government helps keep it safe for everyone to learn from and enjoy. Sometimes, even the land around the monument is protected to make sure the site stays safe.
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Amazing Castles in County Galway
County Galway is home to many old castles. These strong buildings were once homes for powerful families or important forts.
Athenry Castle
Athenry Castle is a cool castle found in Athenry. It was built way back in the 1200s, making it one of the oldest stone castles in Ireland. It's a great example of a Norman castle, showing how people lived and defended themselves long ago.
Aughnanure Castle
Near Oughterard, you'll find Aughnanure Castle. This is a well-preserved tower house, which is a type of castle that was also a home. It was built by the O'Flaherty family, a powerful clan in the area. The castle is right by a lake, making it a very scenic spot.
Ardamullivan Castle
Ardamullivan Castle is another fantastic tower house in County Galway. It has been carefully restored, so you can really get a feel for what it was like to live in one of these castles centuries ago. It stands tall and strong, showing off its history.
Dunmore Castle
In Castlefarm, you can see the ruins of Dunmore Castle. Even though it's mostly ruins now, you can still imagine its past glory as a significant stronghold in the region.
Pallas Castle
Pallas Castle near Tynagh is one of the biggest and best-preserved tower houses in Ireland. It has a huge main tower and a strong wall around it, showing how important defense was in medieval times.
Portumna Castle
Portumna Castle is a bit different from the other castles. It's more of a grand manor house, built in the early 1600s. It shows a change in how powerful families lived, moving from purely defensive castles to more comfortable homes, though still with some defenses.
Ancient Abbeys and Churches
County Galway has many beautiful old abbeys and churches, which were once important religious centers.
Knockmoy Abbey
Knockmoy Abbey in Abbeyknockmoy was a Cistercian abbey. Monks lived and worshipped here many centuries ago. You can still see the impressive ruins and imagine the quiet life of the monks.
Kilconnell Abbey
Kilconnell Abbey was a Franciscan friary. Friaries were similar to abbeys, but friars often traveled more and worked among the people. This site has beautiful old architecture.
Dunmore Abbey
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Dunmore Abbey was an Augustinian friary. The Augustinian order had many houses in Ireland, and this one in Abbeyland North is a significant ruin that tells us about their history.
Athenry Abbey
The Athenry Abbey was a Dominican priory. The Dominicans were another important religious order in medieval Ireland, known for their preaching and teaching.
Claregalway Abbey
Claregalway Abbey is a very well-preserved Franciscan friary. It's a great place to visit to see what these religious buildings looked like and how they were laid out.
Kilmacduagh Monastery
The Kilmacduagh monastery is a famous site with several churches and a tall, leaning round tower. Round towers were built in early medieval Ireland as bell towers and places of refuge. This site is very old and important.
Portumna Abbey
Portumna Abbey was a Dominican friary located in Portumna Demesne. Its ruins still show the beauty of its past architecture.
Ross Errilly Abbey
Ross Errilly Abbey near Headford is one of the best-preserved Franciscan friaries in Ireland. It's a large and impressive site, giving a clear picture of monastic life.
Ancient Sites and Forts
Beyond castles and churches, County Galway also protects very old sites like ringforts, cashels, and unique stone monuments.
Annaghdown Ecclesiastical Site
Annaghdown is an early medieval ecclesiastical site. This means it was an important religious center from a very long time ago, possibly from the early days of Christianity in Ireland.
High Island
High Island is a remote and special early medieval ecclesiastical site off the coast. It was a place where monks lived in isolation, seeking a spiritual life. The ruins there are very ancient and unique.
Inchagoill
Inchagoill is another early medieval ecclesiastical site, located on an island in Lough Corrib. It has ancient churches and gravestones, showing its long history as a sacred place.
Dún Conor (Inishmaan)
On Inishmaan, one of the Aran Islands, you'll find Dún Conor (also known as Dún Conchuir). This is a huge, ancient stone fort called a cashel. It's built without mortar and is a stunning example of prehistoric engineering.
O'Brien's Castle (Inisheer)
Also on the Aran Islands, O'Brien's Castle is a cashel on Inisheer. It's a strong stone fort that stands high on the island, offering amazing views and a glimpse into ancient defense strategies.
Dun Aengus (Inishmore)
Perhaps the most famous of the Aran Islands forts is Dun Aengus on Inishmore. It's a massive, semi-circular stone fort built on the edge of a 100-meter high cliff. It's an incredible example of a promontory fort, using the natural landscape for defense.
Clochán na Carraige
Also on Inishmore, Clochán na Carraige is a special type of stone hut called a clochán, or beehive hut. These ancient dwellings were built by early Christian monks and are a fascinating part of Irish history.
Tuam High Cross
In Tuam, you can see the Tuam High Cross. High crosses are tall, carved stone crosses found in Ireland, often with detailed biblical scenes. They are important pieces of early medieval art and religious expression.
Turoe Stone
The Turoe stone near Bullaun is a very special sculptured stone from the Iron Age. It has unique Celtic art designs and is considered one of the most important examples of La Tène art in Ireland.
Pearse's Cottage
Pearse's Cottage in Turlough is a house with important historical connections. It was the summer home of Patrick Pearse, a key figure in Irish history and the 1916 Easter Rising. It's preserved because of its link to his life and work.
Images for kids
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Knockmoy Abbey
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Kilconnell Abbey
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Dunmore Abbey
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Clontuskert Priory
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Monastic Ruins at Annaghdown
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Ardamullivan Castle
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Athenry Priory
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Athenry Castle
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Aughnanure Castle
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Carrownlisheen Wedge Tomb (Diarmuid and Gráinne's Bed)
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Templesaghtmacree Church
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Dún Conor
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Dunmore Castle
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Feartagar Castle
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Kiltartan Castle
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Claregalway Abbey
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Drumacoo
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Drumharsna Castle
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Fiddaun Castle
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Glinsk Castle
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High Island Enclosure
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St. Gobnet's Church
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Knockgrannary
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Ruins of a chapel, Inisheer
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O'Brien's Castle, Inisheer
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Grave of the Seven Daughters
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Arkin's Castle
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Temple Benen
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Kilmacduagh Cathedral
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Temple MacDuagh
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Dún Aengus
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Clochán na Carraige
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Oghill Cashel
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The Seven Churches (Templebrecan)
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Killursa Church
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Pallas Castle
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Kilbennan Church and Round Tower
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Portumna Priory
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Portumna Castle
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Roscam Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site
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Ross Errilly Abbey
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Saint Macdara's Island
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Tuam High Cross
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Pearse's Cottage
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Stone of Turoe
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