‘Everything interesting begins with one person and one place’.
John McGahern

The barracks has a unique place in Irish history. Through the writings of John McGahern, it has become one of the best-known houses in Ireland. Through his writings, particularly The Barracks (1963) and Memoir (2004) we gain an insight into family life, the life of policemen, and everyday life in and around the village of Cootehall in the middle of the last century.

Using quotations from his writings along with photos, a documentary video of McGahern, sound recordings and a variety of artefacts from the middle of the last century, the exhibition tells the story of how a young boy went on to become one of Ireland’s most famous writers.

Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, Cruachan Aí, at Tulsk in Co. Roscommon was one of the royal complexes  of ancient Ireland associated with the legendary Queen Maebh and the epic Irish saga, the Táin Bó Cuailgne (Cattle Raid of Cooley).  It is one of the oldest and largest unexcavated royal complexes in Europe and is sometimes referred to the ‘Tara of Connacht’.

Doughlas Hyde was the first President of an independent Irish state and co-founder of Conradh na Gaelige (Gaelic League) a major movement to revive the Irish language  established in 1893.  His scholarship, writings and gathering of folklore were a major source of influence on the Irish Literary Renaissance and he later joined with WB Yeats, Lady Gregory and John Millington Synge to create an Irish theatre.

The irish National Famine Museum is located in what was once the stable yards of Strokestown Park, an estate owned by the Mahon family from the late 17th century until 1979.  When what remained of the original property was purchased, an archive of papers relating to the management of the estate came to light.  This collection is now regarded as the single best, private archive on the Great Irish Famine in the world.   The house can only be seen by guided tour and this tour can be combined with a tour of  the gardens and the National Famine Museum.

This underground visitor centre, situated in beautiful scenery, tells the story of the 400 year old coal mining heritage of the area and provides visitors with an insight into coal mining life as it was in the Arigna Valley for centuries.  The tour down the mine is led by people from the area and is a visit to remember.  Following the trip down the mine it is possible to travel over Arigna mountain to see wind turbines in action.  In 2018 wind provided 85% of Ireland’s renewable electricity and 30% of our total electricity demand. It is the second greatest source of electricity generation in Ireland after natural gas.

A creator of new recipes, an inventor, an experimenter – PJ Rigney dreamed of building his own distillery, but not just any distillery. The location was crucial – it had to be wild, un-manicured, in the heart of rural Ireland. A place of curiosity & inspiration, surrounded by nature, immersed in rich history. He discovered the beautiful village of Drumshanbo, on the shores of Lough Allen, at the foothills of Sliabh an Iarainn (The Iron Mountain), and PJ knew he had found the location for his distillery.  The distillery makes Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and Sausage Tree, Pure Irish Vodka.

Cavan Burren Park opened to the public in May 2014. But the site itself goes back a little longer…probably around 340 million years to the Carboniferous period when this whole area was covered in a shallow tropical sea. In the park you can experience a wonderful interpretative centre and five amazing walking trails around Cavan Burren Park, all highlighting the spectacular prehistoric tombs, fantastic geology and special stories that make this such a unique environment.

Carefully placed interpretation throughout this site explains all the features as you take in the 360° views. Stories of Giants and moving glaciers come to life with every step you take in this breathtaking prehistoric park.