monuments ireland

This monument which dominates the landscape between Warrenpoint and Rostrevor was erected in 1826 in memory of Major General Robert Ross who fought in Europe and the American War of Independece. The monument celebrates his victory over the American Forces in Bladensburg in 1814 and his entry into the capital, Washington, that same day. He was reputed to have burned down all the public buildings including the White House itself....

The statue to Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole (1772 - 1842), one of Wellington's Generals in the Penisular War, stands on top of a Doric Column. 108 steps lead to the top of the monument where the visitor is rewarded for his climb by a magnificent panoraic view of Enniskillen...

Known as 'The Giant's Griddle' and recorded as such on the 1/2 inch O.S. Map, this handsome megalith is fairly well preserved despite forming part of a modern wall into which some of the cairn stones have been built. The chamber lacks at least one of its side stones, but the large capstone is still in position. A cupmarked stone is contained in the wall near the Griddle, and remains of a second tomb lie close by. This monument is not easy to find without asking directions locally, nor is...

Along the rockcorry road is an Obelisk which was erected 'by the free and independent electors to the memory of Richard Dawson ' who was returned to Parliament five times in the 18th century. He died in 1807....

Occupying a commanding hill-top overlooking islanded Lough Gill to the south and pretty Colgagh Lake to the west, this large and imposing monument is perhaps the best example of a centre court-tomb in the country. Its traditional name, by which it is still known hereabouts, is Leacht Con Mhic Ruis. The oval court, 50 feet in length with an entrance on the south side, has two segmented galleries at its east end and one at the west. In the last century all three galleries had large lintel stones...

A strange monumental garden ornament incorporating three medieval sculptures (a unicorn, a saint and a lion), and a long and curious inscription of 1757....

The three most spectacular buildings in Dublin - the Custom House, the Four Courts and King's Inn - are all the work of James Gandon, an English architect who was persuaded by Lord Beresford to come to Dublin to design his new Custom House in 1781.

The Custom House projest was fiercely opposed by rival interests and there were attacks on the site; Gandon was obliged to wear a sword to work. Even the opening of the buidings in 1791 was carried out in stealth. Gandons next great work, the...

This little known and somewhat difficult to find monument, 'Diarmuid and Grainne's Bed', is located on a farm 1 mile south of Carrowkeel (alias Kerrykeel) village and about 1/4 mile to the east of the road to Rathmelton. The portal stones are a well matched pair some 6 feet high, supporting the front edge of a craggy, cup-marked capstone which has been slightly displaced...

The famous caves can be found 12km south of Mitchelstown and are actually located in County Tipperary! As the caves are open year round for guided tours, they are very popular among tourists.
Discovered by a local farmer back in 1833, the Earl of Kingston soon claimed them to be his as they were found on his land. What was discovered is a prehistoric cave of great beauty and scientific interest.
The stalagmites to be found in Mitchelstown cave are very impressive. It takes a...

Dun Aengus is a fantastic example of a stone fort which is thought to be over 2000 years old! It is perched on top of a cliff edge about 300 ft above the Atlantic Ocean.
The fort is said to have been built by Aonghusa who was a chief of the Fir Bolg - so it translates as the 'Fort of Aonghusa'.
The impressive stone fort has three enclosures to defend against the enemy. If you look closely enough at one of the walls you will notice vetical, jagged rocks pertruding at an angle....