List of national monuments in County Roscommon facts for kids
The Irish state has a special list of important old places in County Roscommon. These places are called "national monuments" because they are super important to Ireland's history. The government protects them so they can be enjoyed for many years to come!
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Amazing Ancient Sites in County Roscommon
County Roscommon is full of amazing historical sites. Let's explore some of these special places!
Ancient Tombs and Mounds
Some of the oldest monuments are ancient burial sites or mysterious mounds.
Altore Wedge Tomb
The Altore Wedge Tomb is a type of ancient burial place from the Stone Age. It's called a "wedge tomb" because it's wider and taller at the front and gets narrower and lower towards the back, like a wedge!
Ardcarn Mound
At Ardcarn, you can find an old mound and a ringfort. A mound is like a small hill, often built by people a very long time ago. A ringfort is a circular area, usually surrounded by an earthen bank, where people lived and protected themselves.
Carnagh West Ringfort
Another example of an ancient circular fort is the Carnagh West Ringfort. These forts were common homes and safe places for families in Ireland many centuries ago.
Castles and Forts
Roscommon has several interesting castles and forts that tell stories of knights and old battles.
Castle Naghten
Castle Naghten is a motte and bailey castle. This was an early type of castle where a wooden fort was built on top of a raised earth mound (the motte), and a walled courtyard (the bailey) was next to it.
McDermott's Castle
On Castle Island in Lough Key, you'll find the ruins of McDermott's Castle. This castle is on an island, which made it very hard for enemies to attack! It looks like something out of a fairy tale.
Roscommon Castle
The grand Roscommon Castle is a large stone castle located in the town of Roscommon. It was built a long time ago and has seen many historical events. Even though it's a ruin now, you can still imagine what it was like when it was new and bustling.
Religious Sites
Many national monuments are the remains of old churches, abbeys, and monasteries.
Roscommon Abbey
Roscommon Abbey was a Dominican friary. Friaries were places where groups of monks or friars lived, prayed, and worked. This abbey has beautiful old stone carvings and arches.
Inchmacnerin Abbey
On Church Island in Lough Key, you can find the ruins of Inchmacnerin Abbey. This was an Augustinian priory, another type of religious house. Imagine living on an island in a lake, dedicated to prayer and study!
Boyle Abbey
Boyle Abbey is a very well-preserved Cistercian abbey. Cistercian monks were known for their simple lives and for building their abbeys in quiet, peaceful places. Boyle Abbey is a great example of medieval architecture.
Trinity Abbey
Also located on an island in Lough Key, Trinity Abbey was a Premonstratensian abbey. Like the other abbeys, it was a center of religious life and learning many centuries ago.
Unique Stones and Crosses
Some monuments are special stones or carved crosses.
Castlestrange Stone
The Castlestrange stone is a very old and unique sculptured stone. It has amazing swirling patterns carved into it, which are typical of ancient Celtic art. It's a mystery what exactly it was used for, but it's certainly a piece of ancient art!
Cloonshanville High Cross
A high cross is a tall, free-standing stone cross, often decorated with carvings. The Cloonshanville High Cross is one such example, showing the artistic and religious beliefs of people from long ago.
Emlagh High Cross
At Emlagh, you can see parts of another high cross. Even though it's broken, you can still see the detailed carvings that once covered it. These crosses often told stories from the Bible or showed important symbols.
Rathcroghan: An Ancient Complex
Rathcroghan Archaeological Complex
Rathcroghan is not just one monument, but a huge area with many ancient sites! It's an "archaeological complex" because it has so many different types of old structures, like burial mounds, ringforts, and even a possible ancient field system. It was a very important place for ancient Irish kings and queens, and is sometimes called the "royal site of Connacht."
Drummin Fort
The Drummin fort is a ringfort that also has Ogham stones. Ogham is an ancient Irish alphabet, often carved onto standing stones. This makes Drummin fort extra special, as it combines a defensive site with ancient writing!
Sources
- National Monuments in State Care: Ownership & Guardianship, County Roscommon
