heritage centres ireland

St John's Literary and Arts Centre is located in St John's, a gothic style church, in Listowel Square. The centre includes a theatre, exhibition areas, Tourist Information Office and coffee shop. St. John's Literary Heritage section graphically traces the unique literary tradition of North Kerry. Evidence of its importance is vivid in today's Ireland as exemplified by the large number of contemporary writers indigenous to the area, i.e. John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon, Brendan Kennelly and J.A....

The Great Blasket Island, located off the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, is known for its historic, cultural and literary heritage.

In the 1920's and 1930's, native Blasket writers produced books which have become classics of their kind. As its young people continued to emigrate, the Blasket community declined. The island was abandoned in 1953 when only 22 inhabitants remained.

The state of the art Blasket Centre, on the mainland in Dun Chaoin, celebrates the islanders...

The Burren Centre introduces you to the unique Burren District, with models, displays and an audio-visual reveal its complexities. Visitors can explore its geology and geography, learn about the rich diversity of Burren flora and fauna and the history of man in the landscape. The presentation is available in English, French, German, Italian, Dutch and Spanish.

The Burren centre located in the ancient Cathedral town of Kilfenora boasts one of the greatest concentrations of high cross...

Kilrush in Landlord Times tells the story of Kilrush, from its establishment as an Estate Town by the Vandeleur Landlords at the end of the 18th century. Features of the Exhibition include:

- The achievement of the Irish Landlord Class in building a unique urban environment, which can be experienced by you in Kilrush.

- The importance of the town's port during the Napoleonic Era.

- The disastrous impact of the Great Famine of 1847 on the people of Kilrush.
...

The Granuaile Centre provides an audio-visual presentation on the life and times of Grace O'Malley (c. 1530-1600), whose daring exploits and career are part of the folklore of the region. It explores how she achieved control of the area around Clew Bay, her relationship with other Gaelic and anglo-Irsh leaders, her meeting with Queen Elizabeth I, her social life and her commercial, diplomatic and political achievements in what was then a male-dominated society. The Centre also has an exhibitio...

In a modern building, constructed in the Grand Canal Basin, this exhibition is designed to introduce the visitor to Ireland's inland waterways and to the range of activities and experience they offer.

One of the most interesting exhibitions focuses on the men who built the canals. They were known as "navigators" or more commonly "navvies". Other attractions include an audio-visual show, working models and interactive multimedia presentation.

There is access for people with disa...

Tyrone Cristal is unique and individual. Each piece is mouth blown, hand cut and polished. The manufacturing process is fascinating, it requires the attention of twenty six highly trained people and attracts visitors from all over the world.
At the factory visitors can avail of a guided tour and find out about every step in the crystal making process. Following a factory tour, visitors are invited to browse round the craft centre....

The Old RIC Barracks in Cahersiveen has become a major local amenity as well as a heritage centre. It houses the local tourist office and  exhibitions of material on Daniel O Connell and the Fenian Rising in the locality....

Tours available from May to Sept and after that by appointment only. The most recent addition to Canan's tourist attractions is the Lifeforce Watermill. Built in 1846, the mill is situated in the centre of Cavan town. Although a focal point in th elife of Cavan town for over a century, changes in farming and milling technology, led to it's closure in the 1950's....

The Lough Derg Centre, a heritage centre located on Main Street, Pettigo, encourages the visitor to explore the Celtic origins of St Patrick's Purgatory, Lough Derg. This archaic sanctuary which so fascinated the medieval world that it drew penitents and pilgrims from every corner of the known world is recreated in the exhibits and presentations on display.

Lough Derg has inspired poets throughout the ages and extracts of these poems are used as an alternative to the traditional sto...