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Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
June bank holiday in Longford: Sample the breathtaking delights of Center Parcs and take in a slice of history at 20th Annual Vintage Show & Family Fun Day
From the rolling hills of north Longford to the enchanting Royal Canal Greenway of its mid and southern equivalent, there isn't many boxes this rapidly developing midlands tourism county doesn't tick. Here are a flavour of just some of the many attractions that you can find over the course of what's sure to be a long weekend to remember. Longford Vintage Show & Family Fun Day Longford Vintage Club Vintage Show and Family Fun Day takes place on Sunday, 1 June 2025 in Connolly Barracks, Longford town. The occasion is one its members are particularly relishing as it is their 20th anniversary and an afternoon that promises to tick every conceivable box. There will be free kids entertainment, face painting and train rides, as well as a motorbike stunt show, ride-on lawnmower racing, a dog show, a wood carving exhibition and plenty of live music. Gates open at 12pm with kids going free. Go dancing in Edgeworthstown Miss Mary is an outdoor solo dance, tracing the footsteps of Ireland's traveling dance masters. Created by Kristyn Fontanella, it explores her dance lineage and heritage, inviting the audience to connect with the land, share stories, and ask: Where did you come from? How do you move? Will you dance with me? This is an outdoor solo dance piece you will be standing and possibly moving around the space… so bring your comfy shoes and enjoy. Both the workshop and performance are taking place in Edgeworthstown Library this Friday (May 30) at 11am and 2pm respectively. Take in a visit to Granard's Knights and Conquests Heritage Centre The bustling north Longford town of Granard is steeped in no shortage of history, a repute that is perhaps best exemplified by its Knights and Conquests Heritage Centre. This immersive visitor experience that brings visitors on a journey through the town's Anglo-Norman history. During the self-guided tour, you'll come face to face with Henry II and King Rory O'Connor, visit a recreated Norman home and dig for artefacts in the Norman CSI room. Kids dress up in Norman clothes, receive their Norman name and a list of duties for their visit, including completing an interactive quiz - that should keep them entertained for the hour-long tour. Dedicated to Granard's most-famous resident, your journey ends at Kitty Kiernan's Drawing Room where you'll find out about Kitty's place in the War of Independence and her fiancé Michael Collins. Bask in the delights of Center Parcs Set in the mature woodlands of County Longford near Ballymahon, Center Parcs holiday village is a great place to escape to any time of year. There's a full line-up of outdoor and indoor activities for all ages and the popular dome-covered swimming pool is heated to a balmy 27 degrees. There's also a relaxing spa with a full range of holistic treatments. Stay in one of the 400 lodges that range from one-bedroom apartments to eight-bedroom lodges with saunas, steam baths and hot tubs. Take a stroll in north Longford's picturesque Derrycassin Wood North of Granard and hugging the shoreline of Lough Gowna, picturesque Derrycassin Wood is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll. There are three popular waymarked walks to choose from; the Nature Trail (1.2km), Walled Garden Walk (2.3km) and the Main Avenue Walk (3.2km), each bringing you along spruce-scented river paths and past scenic viewing points on the lake shore. In late April or early May, the Nature Trail is particularly beautiful with a carpet of bluebells dancing in the spring breeze. Keep watch on the long walks for the fascinating foundations of an old mansion and walled gardens demolished in 1939 and the remains of a historic ringfort in the woods, formerly the dwelling place of the earliest inhabitants of the area. You can finish your walk with a picnic under a canopy of trees by the riverside. With so much history, gastronomic delights, and natural beauty to discover, it's hardly surprising why this unspoiled and charming county is being billed as the jewel in Fáilte Ireland's 'Hidden Heartlands' tourism brand.
Irish Times
24-04-2025
- Irish Times
Taoiseach hails refurbishment of Cork castle as boost to cultural tourism in the area
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has hailed the re-opening of a medieval castle following extensive conservation work as a major addition to the tourism offering in Cork. Mr Martin said Barryscourt Castle, a tower house built by the Anglo-Norman Barry family near Carrigtwohill in east Cork, promises to be a cornerstone of Cork's cultural tourism following careful conservation work by the Office of Public Works (OPW). 'As a proud Cork native, I am delighted to see Barryscourt Castle, a landmark of our county's rich history, conserved to its former glory. This castle holds a special place in Cork's heritage, and its reopening is a moment of pride for the region,' he said. The OPW has said admission to the castle will be free for the 2025 season. READ MORE Built between 1392 and 1420 during the reign of the 7th Lord Barry, John Ciotach Barry, Barryscourt survived many attacks including in the 1580s when David Barry partially destroyed it during the Desmond Rebellion to prevent it falling into the hands of English adventurer Walter Raleigh. During the Irish Confederate War between 1641 and 1653, Barryscourt Castle was once again successfully attacked by English forces, and cannon balls lodged in the wall above the Castle entrance are still visible today. The Barryscourt Trust was founded in 1987 to conserve and develop what was then a ruined building in a potential heritage site, but the castle was eventually taken over by the OPW which was forced to close the building in 2016 due to structural concerns. Barryscourt Castle has since undergone conservation works, including extensive regrouting, repointing of 17kms of a stone facade, and restoration of leadwork to address water entering the building. Minister for the Office of Public Works Kevin Moran said the meticulous conservation work 'not only safeguards the castle's fabric but also enhances the visitor experience'. Last October the OPW revealed to Cork Beo that the cost of the conservation work to date was about €1.27 million.
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
The UK's most beautiful seaside village has huge sandy beach and no crowds
This coastal village is a hidden gem that's not very well-known outside west Wales. When you think of the UK's picturesque seaside towns or villages, your mind might instantly wander to the coasts of Devon or Cornwall in the south-west, or perhaps Kent or Sussex in the south-east. Even if Wales did cross your mind, it's likely you'd be picturing somewhere in Pembrokeshire. However, there's a hidden treasure nestled on the Carmarthenshire coast (more renowned for its lush green hills than its coastline) that deserves your attention. You could easily miss it as you drive west towards Pembrokeshire. But if you take a detour from the bustling A40 trunk road just outside the historic market town of Carmarthen and venture down a tranquil B-road through the countryside, you'll soon spot a stretch of golden sand and the seemingly serene waters of the Tywi estuary. Overlooking it all, majestically positioned on a hilltop, are the remnants of a grand medieval castle. Welcome to Llansteffan, a delightful village that remains relatively unknown beyond west Wales. Here, alongside the beach and castle, you'll discover pubs, shops, eateries and notably fewer crowds compared to the UK's other seaside and staycation hotspots, reports the Express. This charming village is nestled on the northern shore of the Tywi estuary, where the river greets the waters of Carmarthen Bay after a leisurely journey from the hills of mid Wales. The tidal ranges here are quite dramatic, so beach-goers should be mindful of the water. However, the sand is just right: firm enough for building sand castles, yet soft enough to enjoy that delightful sensation of walking barefoot. When the tide rolls in, Llansteffan beach becomes accessible, with direct foot access from the village and a car park for those who need it. Amenities include a public toilet, a small children's play area, and a fish and chip hut - perfect for enjoying a seaside supper. And when the tide recedes, you can also explore the equally expansive Scott's Bay, where smooth sand meets intriguing rock pools. Wales is known for its abundance of castles, a testament to centuries of conflict between Anglo-Norman lords and feuding Welsh tribes (who were just as likely to fight each other as they were the English). To the north, tucked away in rural Carmarthenshire, you'll find the hilltop fortresses of Dinefwr, Dryslwyn, and the awe-inspiring Carreg Cennen within close proximity of one another. A short jaunt along the coast to the west will take you to Laugharne Castle, while Kidwelly Castle lies a few miles to the east. Llansteffan Castle is a hidden gem that rivals any other, with its 12th-century structure majestically perched on a headland overlooking Carmarthen Bay. This historic site has been strategically important since prehistoric times. Despite being in ruins for centuries, the castle offers a wealth of exploration opportunities, and the views from atop are nothing short of breathtaking. The formidable gatehouse, complete with arrow slits, still stands as a testament to the castle's once-impenetrable defences. Venture inside to discover the remnants of the inner and outer wards, which reveal the castle's past life as both a military stronghold and a lordly residence. For those keen to visit, well-marked paths lead up to the castle from either the village or the beach. Visitors can freely wander through the ruins, scale the battlements, and soak up the expansive views that, on a good day, stretch for miles. When it comes to dining in Llansteffan, the Inn at the Sticks steals the show. Crowned as the Best Local Restaurant in Wales by the Good Food Guide last year, this pub, restaurant, and deli celebrates Welsh ingredients. Expect to find typical coastal dishes like cockle popcorn in crispy Welsh beer batter, scallop and sewin roulade, wild game farmhouse terrine, and a beetroot "symphony" – an inventive recipe featuring beets prepared five ways. It's a culinary treasure that one reviewer hailed as a "rare find". The quaint establishment offers a selection of cosy rooms for an overnight stay, priced very reasonably between £120-140, which is just perfect after a day filled with sea breeze and scrumptious meals. One satisfied guest gushed: "The rooms provide the same blend of charm and comfort. They are beautifully designed with vintage touches-like iron bed frames and low beamed ceilings-combined with modern amenities and complimentary Welsh cakes. The décor balances rustic charm with cosy elegance, making each room feel unique and intimate." For those looking for a homely touch, there's also the option to book a charming cottage on AirBnb. Llansteffan itself is a treasure trove of activities, offering days filled with beach strolls, historical exploration, and delectable dining without ever needing to leave. However, if you're itching to see more, there are numerous attractions just a short drive away. Across the estuary lies Laugharne, renowned for its association with Dylan Thomas and his iconic boathouse. Venture slightly further west and you'll find Pendine, boasting one of the UK's longest sandy beaches and a history peppered with land speed records. To the east, Pembrey Country Park awaits with another expansive sandy stretch, Cefn Sidan, and a park that's a hit with kids thanks to its adventure playground, woodlands, and cycling paths. A short distance away, the charming Carmarthenshire towns of Llandeilo and Llandovery offer a wealth of options for dining, drinking, and accommodation amidst their picturesque rural market settings.
BBC News
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Downpatrick: Erenagh Monastery site believed to be found after dig
Archaeologists believe they have found the site of a 12th Century monastery near Downpatrick, County Down, that was destroyed in 1177 by the Anglo-Norman knight John de Cistercian monastery, known as Erenagh, had been built 50 years prior to de Courcy's invasion of Ulster.A community excavation of the site earlier this month found sections of wall, pottery, bone and slate, as well as a 13th Century 850 years after it was razed to the ground with its resident monks killed, the secrets of Erenagh may have been brought to the surface. The two-week excavation was organised by the Community Archaeology Programme Northern Ireland (CAPNI) and offered a host of local school groups and aspiring Indiana Jones' of all ages and backgrounds the chance to work as an archaeologist. Erenagh's importance for Irish archaeology Brian Sloan, from Queen's University Belfast who was helping to guide the team, said Erenagh's significance was in it being one of the first Cistercian monasteries in Ireland. "They took a European model, so if you think of the old Irish monasteries like a Nendrum, you'd have a round tower with your church in the centre. "But with this you'd have a cloister. That's a series of buildings around the church that feed into the monastery." Originally built in 1127, the monastery operated for half a century before John de Courcy destroyed Sloan said he later built the cathedral at Inch Abbey as "an act of penance" and made that into a Cistercian ruins of Inch still stand on the other side of Downpatrick and, in recent years, were a major filming location for Game of year, a geophysical survey found that the Erenagh field, which is located just a few hundred yards from Ballynoe Stone Circle, was filled with anomalies. Three trenches were selected for excavation with volunteers digging, scraping and brushing deep into the earth in search of them were a group from South Eastern Regional College's Skills for Life and Work course, led by Anne Murphy."The course is an opportunity for students to gain GCSEs where the school system hasn't been able to help them do that," she said."We've 14 students here, which is the biggest attendance all week as everyone is very excited – some are looking for bars of gold." What did people find at the suspected monastery site? Bars of gold may have proven elusive, but the group did make those in the trench was Billie, who said she's been interested in archaeology since childhood."This is my second dig and I'm loving it," she said. "I've collected fossils and crystals since I was about nine. "We've found a few bits of slag and slate so far." Also in the trench was Eoin, who said: "We've found bits of slate which were the roof tiles so we're hoping to find more later on."I've always had an interest in palaeontology, but this is my first dig."In a separate trench further up the hill are friends and volunteers Valerie Shearer and Janice McHenry, who were deep in competition to find the best artefact."My most interesting piece is a little bit of stone, but I haven't got it checked yet so I don't now if it is valuable or rubbish," said Valerie. "I'd love to find a piece of pottery, but she beat me to it," said Janice. "It is very therapeutic because you aren't thinking of anything other than finding something."Among the finds at the dig were a section of wall, cut stones with a masons mark, pottery, slate and a Henry III coin dating from around of the dig will now study the findings, but they say they are confident radiocarbon analysis of the artefacts will confirm this was the location of Erenagh's long lost monastery.
The Guardian
27-03-2025
- The Guardian
Where tourists seldom tread, part 16: a trio of small historic cities
Whenever this town-focused series includes a city, prideful hollering ensues. The English distinction – not tied to a cathedral, a certain form of local government, nor population size – is whimsical, even if signed off by royalty. This selection of destinations is not about alpha cities. The smallest is ancient; the other two newly minted. None merit bypassing. I arrived in Carlisle by way of the Cumbrian coast line and would later ride onward on the fabled railway to Settle. Arriving in this ancient city in a midway kind of mood is all too common. If Carlisle wasn't between so many beauty spots – Lakes and Dales, Scotland and Northumbria, Hadrian's Wall and North Pennines – it would be a tourism hotspot. Its origins lie in the Roman settlement of Luguvalium, a key military base by the third century and the administrative centre for keeping down the indigenous Carvetii. A castle first appeared in 1093; its successor greets you outside the station. A priory and city were founded and a bishopric decreed in the 12th century. Walls were speedily built; the western ramparts remain. Anglo-Norman historian Jordan Fantosme (died circa 1185) describes the 'fair and well-defended city of Carlisle … resplendent in its beauty as the sun lights up its walls and turrets'. Myth swirled around them. French Arthurian poet Chrétien de Troyes identified Arthur's court with Carlisle. Wool was woven and dyed; leather was tanned. Both commodities were exported to Ireland. From the 13th century, the gaze shifted to Scotland, with Carlisle as a base for invasion. Between-ness became bloody. The so-called Debatable Lands, formerly too poor to matter, became a seedbed of anarchy. Border reivers from both nations raided farms and settlements. This was the last part of Great Britain to be brought under the control of a state, beginning in 1530. Subsequently, Carlisle was a major trading post, for corn, cattle, horses, with three fairs and eight thriving guilds (merchants, tanners, skinners and glovers, butchers, smiths, weavers, tailors, and shoemakers). The Guildhall is a Grade I-listed, timber-framed beauty. However, commercial activity waned. Daniel Defoe, visiting in 1724, reported that 'the city is strong, but small, the buildings old, but the streets fair … There is not a great deal of trade here either by land or sea, it being a mere frontier'. Industry rebooted it all over again, through canal, roads and, especially, the railways. It became a substantial north-west city. Dickens and Wilkie Collins stayed at the County Hotel on their tours. The latter used his northern experiences while writing The Woman in White. I imagine him sipping a brew and scribbling at the Victorian John Watt & Son tearooms in his final year. Things to see and do: Lanercost Priory (bus AD122 and 685), Hadrian's Wall (Birdoswald) at Brampton; Carlisle Cathedral One definition of the north is 'point of no return'. In 1603, Sir Robert Carey, deciding to deliver the news that Queen Elizabeth I had died to James VI at Holyrood, travelled by horse from London to Doncaster in a single day. Henry Bolingbroke was proclaimed Henry IV at Doncaster. Northern powers met their foes to negotiate near Doncaster during the Pilgrimage of Grace, a revolt against Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell. England's envoys were following their Roman forebears. Doncaster was a natural forward base for summits and skirmishes. The Great North Road provides both entry point and focus for a day trip to Donny. The starting gate is the racecourse, here since 1776, also the first year of the St Leger. The Great North Road (A638) is an elegant boulevard. On South Parade are smart early 19th-century terraces. Extensive parks spread out on either side of the road. At Regent Square, leafiness comes into town. In the area are The Earl, a 1930s hotel with its art deco shimmeringly restored; The Point, a thriving gallery, cafe and cultural space; and The Salutation, a lovely boozer that has kept its arch for horse-drawn coaches. Doncaster gathers pace as you walk. Soon the old main drag bristles with pubs and bars. Hall Gate becomes High Street. On the pavement are two undulating timelines – one for Doncaster (Romans invade 55BC, founding of Danecastre 1152, floods 1750); the other for world events (braille 1837, cubism 1907, etc). Rising above it is the Mansion House, one of two Grade I-listed buildings in the town centre, and the official base of the civic mayor. Free tours of the opulent staircase, meeting rooms and grand ballroom are offered monthly. The Roman name, Danum, is everywhere: Danum hotel; Danum plumbing and heating; Danum coffee. The Danum Gallery, Library and Museum is a remarkable contemporary building, housing part of the old Doncaster high school for girls building. It has a superb railway memorabilia collection, with the Green Arrow and Atlantic locos built at Doncaster Plant Works as magnificent centrepieces. Above these are beautiful library areas for adults and children, a smart cafe, and an art gallery that juxtaposes old master-ish oils of race meetings and wigged grandees with contemporary work reflecting the most forward-looking attitudes to mental health. St George's church is the other Grade I-listed building. Known as the minster, it is prominent, dark and godly, and visible from afar. The architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner deemed it the 'proudest and most cathedral-like of … parish churches'. I walked beneath it, over the North Bridge, past the Danum retail park to the Sun inn, there to discover the Roman Ridge – a branch of the old Roman road called Ermine Street, green and filled with birdsong. At a bench I ate a ham pie from the revered local bakery Toppings. The Romans are said to have introduced the idea of topping pies, and I was having a Toppings pie on the road by which their legionnaires, and their recipes, arrived. A Roman pie on a Roman road. Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion Things to see and do: Conisbrough Castle, South Yorkshire aircraft museum, Yorkshire wildlife park, Doncaster markets. The English and Scots get het up over second cities. Wales's isn't in doubt – but that doesn't deter putdowns. In a parody of Dylan Thomas's oft-quoted 'ugly, lovely town', the corrupt cop Terry Walsh (played by Dougray Scott) in the 1997 film Twin Town describes Swansea as a 'pretty shitty city'. I disagree: terrace houses ranged on steep-sided hills and sweeping Swansea Bay offer solace to the searching eye. If all of Swansea isn't pretty, blame the blitz, which obliterated buildings, lives, livelihoods, part of the past. The name of the city has nothing to do with swans or the sea. It was once called Sweins eg or eyc, Swein's island. In Welsh, it's Abertawe, meaning mouth of the Tawe river. Swein may have been a Norseman who built a fort on the island around AD1000 as a base for raiding the Welsh coast. The town was founded in the early 12th century during the Norman conquest of Wales. A wooden castle was constructed on the site of Worcester Place, rebuilt in stone in the early 13th century – still standing at the southern end of High Street, somewhat hemmed in by modern buildings. A town, with a market and garrison, sprang up. Much later, Swansea grew around coal mining and iron ore extraction, shipbuilding and shipping, and in the late 18th century saw booms in copper, lead and pottery. In 1801 the population was around 6,800; by the end of the century, it had passed 100,000. During the last three decades, the docks have been redeveloped – and rebranded as the Maritime Quarter (or Marina). Dylan Thomas is too famous, his ownership of Swansea (and Laugharne) too established to need revisiting. Other artists are worthy guides. Vernon Watkins's Ode to Swansea opens with precise images of its particular luminance: 'Bright town, tossed by waves of time to a hill.' Alfred Janes's painting Castle Street, Swansea 1941-41 captures the blitzed, violated urban heart. Daniel Jones's Fifth Symphony may evoke the drama of the wild surrounding landscapes, inner turmoil, the sea, wartime memories, or none of those. It confirmed him 'without serious rival as the principality's leading symphonist'. These three, with other pals, and Thomas, were known collectively as the Kardomah Gang. The Kardomah cafe on Portland Street is not the original (that was on Castle Street) but is a lovely combination of 50s-style greasy spoon and 21st -century retro chic. The city is packed with sites iconic to locals and literary pilgrims alike: the No Sign Bar (the city's oldest wine bar); the Tower of the Ecliptic astronomical observatory; the gracious Morgan's Hotel; the magnificently (mis)named Salubrious Passage off Wind Street; the old Carlton Cinema (now a bookshop). Trainspotters and history buffs get misty eyed about the Swansea and Mumbles Railway, opened on 25 March 1807, to carry the first paying passengers in the world; a replica of the first horse-drawn carriage is on display in the Tramshed in the Marina. I follow its trail to Mumbles and the Gower – which rises towards the to see and do: Swansea Jack memorial; 5 Cwmdonkin Drive (Dylan Thomas's house) and Cwmdonkin Park, Dylan Thomas Centre, National Waterfront Museum. Chris Moss's visits were assisted by Visit England, Visit Wales and Doncaster Council
