About Castlerea
Castlerea - is a thriving market town beautifully situated in wooded country on the banks of the Suck it was the birthplace of the last High King of Ireland, Felim O'Conor, in the 12th century, and of Ireland's first president, Douglas Hyde (1860-1949). Oscar Wilde's father, Sir William Wilde (1815-76) was also born here. The town is located in the West of Co. Roscommon and is approximately 30km from both Roscommon Town and Boyle. The town is situated at the junction of the N60 National Secondary Route and R361 Regional Road. It is also served by the Dublin-West railway line.
Local Activities, areas of interest
Fishing
Angling, Coarse fishing: Loughs Errit and Glinn, and River Suck. Game Fishing: Loughs Errit, Glinn and O'Flynn, and River Suck
Golf
There is a nine hole golf course in Castlerea and the following clubs are also quite close by:
- Roscommon Golf Club
- Glasson Golf & Country Club
- Ballyhaunis Golf Club
Hell Kitchen Railway Museum
Hell's Kitchen contains a Railway Museum, probably the most unusual museum building in Ireland. Sean Browne’s railway museum includes a 1955 No. A55 diesel locomotive. It is open 7 days a week and is a treasure trove for railway enthusiasts. On display are bells, lamps, shunting poles, signal equipment etc. Hell's Kitchen is most famous for being the location of the infamous Sean Doherty interview on "Nighthawks" in 1992. The late Senator's interview led to the resignation of then Taoiseach, Charles J. Haughey surrounding phone tapping allegations.
Clonalis House
Is the ancestral home of the Clan O'Conor: the last High Kings of Ireland. The dynasty gave eleven high kings to Ireland and twenty four kings to Connacht. The family traces back to Feredach the Just in 75 A.D. and is Europe's oldest recorded family.
Rathcroghan
One of Ireland's - and Europe's - most important archaeological sites. This traditional coronation and burial place of the Kings of Ireland and Connaught covers several square miles and includes some 53 ancient sites, among them ring-barrows and ring-forts. Some of them are prehistoric and some of early historic dates. They are all pagan locations that were abandoned with the arrival of Christianity.
Owneynagat
Also known as the Cave of the Cat; off Elphin-Castlerea road. Cave with ogham stones used for lintels. Said to be entrance to the cave of Cruachú, the otherworld of Irish myth.
Suck Valley Way
The River Suck links a 60 mile stretch of countryside in West Roscommon and East Galway known as The Suck River Valley. Walkers can enjoy this unspoiled countryside by walking The Suck Valley Way.
The 100km Walk Way is unusual among Irish Waymarked Ways because for most of it's length it lies across lowland farms. It also crosses the boglands and callows of the river Suck with their numerous lakes and drainage channels. The area is rich in history, and offers a unique opportunity to experience the life of rural Ireland, a glimpse of its history and the rich bird- and plant-life of the boglands and callows.
Outdoor swimming pool
Open in the summer months
Horse Racing
Evening meetings are held in Roscommon town
Many fine pubs and restaurants
Other areas of interest close by:
- Knock airport
- Knock Shrine
- Roscommon Castle, Roscommon
- Strokestown Park House, Famine Museum & Gardens
- King House, Boyle
- Roscommon Abbey
- The Douglas Hyde Centre
- Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Tulsk
- Lough Key Forest Park
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