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A heritage day out in County Limerick

Everything this site lists for County Limerick in one place: 263 entries across holy wells, pattern days, monuments, castles and the coast. Each links to the record or page it comes from. More about County Limerick →

On this site for County Limerick
Holy wells 159Pattern days 17Round towers 3High crosses 0Ogham stones 9Mass rocks 7Sweathouses 1Megalithic tombs 14Crannógs 13Abbeys and friaries 26Castles 14Lighthouses 0Award beaches 0National parks 0
Holy wells · 159

From: Sites and Monuments Record (Republic); Wikidata for Northern Ireland. Holy wells page →

Pattern days · 17
  • Holy well, Castletown (Connello Upper) · 11 February · Castletown (Connello Upper By.) · “A pattern and fair was held on 11 February until about 1870, though rounds were still made in the 1950s.” · SMR LI046-009 ↗
  • Holy well, Shangarry · 1 February · Shangarry · “Rounds were made on 1 February and a pattern was formerly held that day; legend says St Brigid made the well spring up for a baptism.” · SMR LI036-060002 ↗
  • Holy well, Ballinvana · 25 March · Ballinvana · “A pattern was held on 25 March but is long discontinued.” · SMR LI040-103 ↗
  • Holy well, Knocknagranshy · 19 March, the saint's feast · Knocknagranshy · “The pattern day on the saint's feast was kept, with rounds, until about forty years before the record was made.” · SMR LI022-116 ↗
  • St Patrick's Well, Patrickswell · a week around 17 March · Patrickswell · “A week-long pattern with a "Gathering Day" and a "Scattering Day" is recorded at St Patrick's Well around 17 March.” · SMR LI032-063003 ↗
  • St James's Well, Tervoe · 25 July · Tervoe · “Formerly a pattern was held here on 25 July, St James's Day.” · SMR LI004-017 ↗
  • Holy well, Craggs · 14-15 August · Craggs · “A great pattern with bonfires was formerly held on 14-15 August, and rounds are still made at the well on 15 August.” · SMR LI010-078 ↗
  • Holy well, Fantstown · 15 August · Fantstown · “A pattern held on 15 August was abolished about 1820 following the murder of the parish priest.” · SMR LI048-002002 ↗
  • Holy well, Rathcahill East · 15 August · Rathcahill East · “O'Donovan in 1840 said the pattern here on 15 August was "still partly continued".” · SMR LI044-006 ↗
  • Holy well, Skagh · 15 August · Skagh · “The pattern was discontinued about 1880, but 15 August is still a day of devotion when the well is decorated with flowers and candles.” · SMR LI030-026 ↗
  • Holy well, Templeathea West · 24 August, the feast of St Bartholomew · Templeathea West · “A pattern on St Bartholomew's day, patron of Athea parish, was discontinued in the 1880s.” · SMR LI034-005 ↗
  • Lady's Well, Ballylanders · 15 August · Ballylanders · “The pattern on 15 August is described as the largest in the county, with parades, games and dances as well as devotions at the well.” · SMR LI049-179003 ↗
  • Tober Gobnait, Ballynahinch · 3 August · Ballynahinch · “Westropp (1904-5) recorded a pattern at Tober Gobnait on 3 August.” · SMR LI040-110 ↗
  • Tobermacduagh, Darragh More · 31 August · Darragh More · “A pattern was held up to about 1820 on 31 August, still known as the saint's day.” · SMR LI059A002 ↗
  • Holy well, Clonagh · 9 September · Clonagh · “The OS Letters record an annual pattern here in honour of St Kieran on 9 September.” · SMR LI028-067 ↗
  • Holy well, Kilcolman · 29 October · Kilcolman (Shanid By.) · “A pattern on 29 October was observed in the 1840s but had ceased by the mid-1950s.” · SMR LI019-187 ↗
  • St John's Well, Cooliska · not recorded · Cooliska · “A pattern with sports and horse-races was held here until about 1850.” · SMR LI037-071 ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record descriptions and Wikipedia. Pattern days page →

Round towers · 3
  • Ardpatrick · “The poorly preserved remains of Ardpatrick round tower (H c. 3m; base diam. c. 5.3m) lie c. 7m W of the graveyard wall with church ruins 14m to SE, surrounded by a field system with large ecclesiastical enclosure …” · SMR LI056-002003- ↗ · map ↗
  • Carrigeen (Coshma By.) · “The preface added to the Féilire Aonghasa in the late twelfth century recorded details in his life which bring him from a church named after him at Dysert (Diseart Aonghasa), to Coolbanagher (Cúil Bheannchair), a little …” · SMR LI030-018004- ↗ · map ↗
  • Kilmallock · “Partial remains of Early Christian round tower (H of original surviving fabric c. 3m; base diam. 5.2m) that has been heightened when incorporated into the W end of the 13th century Collegiate Church of Kilmallock …” · SMR LI047-022022- ↗ · map ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Round towers page →

High crosses · none on our lists

From: Sites and Monuments Record. High crosses page →

Ogham stones · 9
  • Adare · present location of a moved object · “This is the ogham stone recorded by Windele from 'by a grave like enclosure' on the slopes of Mangerton Co. Kerry that was brought to Adare Manor by the Earl of Dunraven in the 19th century. 1.93m x 0.01m x 0.01m …” · SMR LI021-034001- ↗ · map ↗
  • Adare · present location of a moved object · “According to Brash this stone was found on the north side of a carn surrounded by three concentric rings of stones.” · SMR LI021-034002- ↗ · map ↗
  • Adare · present location of a moved object · “Six ogham stones, reused as roof lintels, were found in a souterrain in a rath in the townland of Rockfield Middle, Co. Kerry.” · SMR LI021-034003- ↗ · map ↗
  • Adare · present location of a moved object · “Six ogham stones, reused as roof lintels, were found in a souterrain in a rath in the townland of Rockfield Middle, Co. Kerry.” · SMR LI021-034004- ↗ · map ↗
  • Adare · present location of a moved object · “Six ogham stones, reused as roof lintels, were found in a souterrain in a rath in the townland of Rockfield Middle, Co. Kerry.” · SMR LI021-034005- ↗ · map ↗
  • Ballingarry · “It is red sandstone, 1.47 x 0.46 x 0.275 (converted from Macalister 1945) and bears the inscription: MAILAGNI MAQI GAMATI, pocked on the sinister edge of the S face. See attached screenshots of 3D model of the Ogham …” · SMR LI049-112---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Ballynoe (Glenquin By., Ballynoe West Ed) · “Local folklore recorded the presence of a possible ogham stone that had been incorporated into the fabric of the pre-Norman church.” · SMR LI037-051002- ↗ · map ↗
  • Common · “However, the inscription was recorded by John Windele in 1840 (ibid.) though it was only partially intact as the stone had been damaged.” · SMR LI038-149---- ↗
  • Mountrussell · “Ogham stone discovered by Crawford in 1908 and described as following; 'The site of an ancient church and graveyard is still pointed out at Mountrussell, and goes by the name of "The Bishop's Field", though every trace …” · SMR LI055-036---- ↗ · map ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Ogham stones page →

Mass rocks · 7
  • Ballynalacken · “In pasture, immediately E of a large upland forestry plantation and 1.3km SE of the summit (1531 ft. 566m), known as the Pinnacle, on Slievereagh.” · SMR LI049-266---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Boarmanshill,Garranbane · “Mass-rock (H 0.8m x Wth 0.8m x T 0.5m) located in woodland in Cappercullen Glen beside a stream which marks the townland boundary between Garranbane and Boarmanshill with Cappercullen Castle 465m to SW.” · SMR LI007-014---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Gortnaclohy · “Visited by the ASI in 1997 when described as a concrete wall surmounted by a cross-shrine with concrete altar in front of shrine.” · SMR LI044-136---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Inch St. Lawrence North · “According to Lynch (1909-11) mass was attended 'at a place called Poulanaffrin and Clashanaffrin (hole and trench of the mass), a disused and filled-in quarry' in the penal times.” · SMR LI014-067---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Lackanascarry · “Just below the summit of Knockseefin, immediately N of townland boundary with Gortnanuv and 100m SW of burial mound standing on top of Knockseefin.” · SMR LI024-157---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Loughgur · “On the revised 1927 ed. OS 6-inch the name of the rock has been changed from 'Carrigalla Fort' to 'Carriganaffrin' meaning the 'Mass Rock'” · SMR LI032-028001- ↗ · map ↗
  • Rockstown · “Named 'Carriganaffrin' (mass rock) on 1928 OS 6-inch map.” · SMR LI023-029---- ↗ · map ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Mass rocks page →

Sweathouses · 1
  • Common · “Present remains consist of the poorly preserved scrub-covered lower walls (max. H 1.5m) of a sweathouse with entrance visible.” · SMR LI030-189---- ↗ · map ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Sweathouses page →

Megalithic tombs · 14
  • Ballyadam (Clanwilliam By.) · “Identified in 2005 by Emmet Byrnes, Forest Service archaeologist and described as a small chamber (L 1.9m; Wth 1.4m) defined by a large thin slab to the W side and a low subrectangular-shaped stone to rear, upon which …” · SMR LI023-323---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Ballynagallagh · “It could be the sidestone of a chamber.” · SMR LI032-046---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Barna · “My correspondent states that “up to about four years ago [c. 1906] it stood about 600 yards [550m] from the public road at the end of the passage to a farm house.” · SMR LI050-015---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Cappanahanagh · “Wedge-tomb that was destroyed around 1895 and was known locally as'Tuamanirvore' or 'The Big Man's Grave' (OSNB Abington Parish], described by the Megalithic Survey of Ireland as following; 'This monument was shown as …” · SMR LI006-031---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Clorhane · “Wedge-tomb described by the Megalithic Survey of Ireland as follows; 'This monument lies about 3 km to the north of Adare, in the broad basin of the River Maigue.” · SMR LI012-067---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Cromwell · “Wedge tomb described by the Megalithic Survey of Ireland as following; 'This monument lies about 8 km.to the east of Lough Gur and is some 5 km northeast of the village of Hospital.” · SMR LI033-049---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Deerpark (Coshlea By.) · “The monument has been described by Ó Nualláin and Cody (1987, 78-80) as follows: ‘The monument consists of a cruciform Passage Tomb set in a ruined cairn.” · SMR LI049-077---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Garranbane · “Monument described in 1990 by Elizabeth Shee Twohig (1990, 50-1) as a single chamber or gallery (int. L 4m NE-SW), the N side of the gallery is intact and is defined by four orthostats and the S side of the gallery has …” · SMR LI007-006---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Garryduff (Coonagh By.) · “Megalith 1 (1.1m N-S; 2.7m E-W; approx. H 1.45m), which appears embedded into the ground has megalith 2 (min. 2m NE-SW; 1.5m NW-SE; H c. 1.6m) resting against its SE-side and may represent a fallen capstone.” · SMR LI024-295---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Grange (Smallcounty By.) · “However on the revised 1927 edition OS map, the monument is depicted an oval-shaped area delimited by 7 orthostats and annotated as a 'Stone Avenue' immediately SSE of a levelled embanked stone circle.” · SMR LI032-003---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Kilmacow · “Counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary.” · SMR LI030-081---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Loughgur · “Wedge tomb described by de Valera and Ó Nualláin (1982, No. 4) as following: The tomb lies about 70m from the eastern margin of Lough Gur on the slope of a small hill which rises south-westwards to a height of about 400 …” · SMR LI032-029---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Mountrussell · “Wedge tomb known locally as 'Leaba Iscur' or 'Oscur's Grave' described in the Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland (de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1982) as follows; 'This monument lies about 9.5km south-east of …” · SMR LI055-033---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Raheen (Coshma By.) · “Upstanding monument labelled Site 5 and described by Ó Ríordáin and Hunt (1942, 42) as consisting of the ‘remains of a ruined megalith here, but it is not clear what type of tomb is represented, it appears to have been …” · SMR LI031-074---- ↗ · map ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Megalithic tombs page →

Crannógs · 13
  • Ballynagallagh · “Crannóg described by O'Kelly (1944, 19) as following; 'This crannog is called Church Island on the earliest edition of the O.S. map but it is not shown on the recent revisions.” · SMR LI032-015---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Cappanouk · “The precise location of a crannog in the 'bog of Cappanook' has not been identified.” · SMR LI015-044---- ↗
  • Carrigkerry · “In reply Adolf Maher suggests these may be the remains of a crannog.” · SMR LI027-004---- ↗
  • Coolcronoge · “The evidence for the existance of a crannog in this townland is entirely reliant on the townland name: Cúil Chrannóige (corner of the crannog).” · SMR LI028-168---- ↗
  • Grange (Smallcounty By.) · “Crannóg known as 'Crock Island' is now located on partially reclaimed land on NW side of Lough Gur, 130m NW of the present shoreline of the lake.” · SMR LI032-012---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Kilmacat · “According to Westropp (1916-7, 22) there are several crannogs 'on the eastern shore of the lake, below the modern castle of Dromore'; this lake is Dromore Lough.” · SMR LI012-116---- ↗
  • Kyletaun · “A roughly circular platform (26m N-S; 27.5m E-W) defined by a gradually sloping scarped edge (H 0.9m; Wth 6.7m).” · SMR LI020-113---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Loughgur · “The crannóg known as 'Bolin Island' is in the NE corner of Lough Gur 40m N of the old shore linked by marshy ground.” · SMR LI032-027---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Loughgur · “One of two crannóga annotated 'Balie Islands' located in a drained section of Lough Gur on the E side of Knockadoon Peninsula.” · SMR LI032-039001- ↗ · map ↗
  • Loughgur · “One of two crannóga annotated 'Balie Islands' located in a drained section of Lough Gur on the E side of Knockadoon Peninsula.” · SMR LI032-039002- ↗ · map ↗
  • Loughgur · “On Garretts Island in the centre of Lough Gur, which lies 55m W of Knockadoon Peninsula.” · SMR LI032-175---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Ragamus · “In low-lying, wet pasture, which is cut by land drains and watercourses, 100m SE of a townland boundary with Cullane and 250m W of the Camoge River which also marks a townland boundary with Gortacloon.” · SMR LI032-080---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Rathjordan · “This monument was excavated by Ó Riordain (1946-7) in 1946; he found 'an artificial island made by laying down a stone layer over a foundation of peat, brushwood and timbers ... the foundation layer being about eleven …” · SMR LI023-096---- ↗ · map ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Crannógs page →

Abbeys and friaries · 26
  • Abbey · “Dominican friary described by Westropp (1904-5, 428) as following; 'Founded by Roche in the fourteenth century for Dominicans.” · SMR LI056-042001- ↗ · map ↗
  • Abbeyfarm · “Kilmallock Friary described in the Urban Survey as following: 'This friary was established in 1291 on land purchased from John Bluet, a burgess of Kilmallock.” · SMR LI047-022018- ↗ · map ↗
  • Abbeylands · “The Urban Survey of Limerick recorded the following details about St. Mary's Augustinian Priory of Rathkeale; 'This is said to have been founded by Gilbert Harvey in the early thirteenth century.” · SMR LI029-031006- ↗ · map ↗
  • Abington · “Situated on a slight rise of ground immediately S of a medieval parish church and graveyard and 70m N of the Mulkear River, corn mill and 17th century bridge.” · SMR LI014-014002- ↗ · map ↗
  • Adare · “15th century Franciscan Friary described in the Urban Survey of County Limerick as following; 'The friary of St Michael the Archangel was founded by Thomas FitzGerald, earl of Kildare in 1464.” · SMR LI021-032007- ↗ · map ↗
  • Adare · “Westropp (1916, 68) recorded that 'The Hospital, or House of the Knights of St. John, has left us no ruin, nor (though the "Spital Land" appears on the curious detailed map of the Abbey lands at Adare in the Down …” · SMR LI021-142---- ↗
  • Ardaneer · “Benedictine priory founded here in c. 1202 by William de Burgo, but 'no later record has been found so that it seems probable that the priory failed at or soon after the founders death in 1205'” · SMR LI010-113---- ↗
  • Ballybrood · “No visible surface trace of monument marked on 1928 OS 6-inch map as 'Friary (site of)'; nothing is shown here on the 1840 OS map.” · SMR LI023-055---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Ballynagallagh · “In 1840 the Ordnance Survey Letters recorded that 'the old church of Baile na gCailleach [town of the nuns] stood on the eastern slope of the hill of the same name.” · SMR LI032-043002- ↗ · map ↗
  • Barrysfarm · “The medieval church ruins of the Hospital of Any belonging to the Order of the Knights Hospitallers was dedicated to St. John the Baptist.” · SMR LI032-147002- ↗ · map ↗
  • Blackabbey · “14th century Augustinian Friary described in the Urban Survey of County Limerick as following; 'This was founded by John FitzThomas FitzGerald, 1st earl of Kildare, before 1316, and it was endowed with properties in the …” · SMR LI021-032006- ↗ · map ↗
  • Blackabbey · “Trinitarian abbey in the town of Adare described in the Urban Survey of Limerick as following: 'This monastery appears to have been founded by Geoffrey de Marisco before 1226.” · SMR LI021-032008- ↗ · map ↗
  • Englishtown,Limerick City · “Priory & Hospital of St Mary & St Edward described in the Urban Survey as following; 'PRIORY & HOSPITAL OF ST MARY & ST EDWARD, alias HOLY CROSS (FRATRES CRUCIFERI) - According to Ware, Simon Minor placed Augustinians …” · SMR LI005-017115- ↗ · map ↗
  • Englishtown,Limerick City · “According to Hodkinson (2009, 37) 'the 1292 charter of Edward I granted the Knights Templar the right to have a frankhouse in the city; however this may simply be the formalisation of an already existing situation.” · SMR LI005-017165- ↗ · map ↗
  • Friarstown (Clanwilliam By., Ballybricken Ed) · “Remains of friary of Franciscan Third Order Regular.” · SMR LI023-030---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Friarstown (Clanwilliam By., Roxborough Ed) · “The friary of St. Francis de Ballynebrahrair (Friarstown) in the parish of Caheravelly was founded some time after 1450 and was dissolved in 1544.” · SMR LI013-097---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Kilmacanearla North · “In pasture, on N-facing slope.” · SMR LI030-094---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Kilshane · “Kilshane abbey described by Westropp (1904-5, 409-10) as a 'Monastery of St. John of the Third Order of St. Francis, 1410.” · SMR LI029-115---- ↗ · map ↗
  • King's Island,Limerick City · “Dominican Priory of St. Saviour described in the Urban Survey as following: 'Founded by Donnchad Cairbreach O’Briain, king of Thomond in 1227.” · SMR LI005-017047- ↗ · map ↗
  • Limerick City,Englishtown · “The Augustinian Priory of St. Peter in the city of Limerick was described in the Urban Survey as following; 'Founded by Donal O’Brien for Augustinian Black nuns at about the time of the arrival of the Anglo-Normans.” · SMR LI005-017046- ↗ · map ↗
  • Limerick City,Saint Francis Abbey · “The site has long been associated with the Franciscan friary founded in 1267.” · SMR LI005-079---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Milltown (Coonagh By., Grean Ed) · “Annotated ‘Milltown Abbey (Site of)’ on the 1897 ed. OS 25-inch map.” · SMR LI024-062---- ↗ · map ↗
  • Moig South · “Askeaton Friary described in the Urban Survey as following: 'The first documentary mention of this friary occurs in 1400 when it is referred to as Inysgebryny, i.e.” · SMR LI011-092006- ↗ · map ↗
  • Monaster South · “Cistercian Abbey described by Stalley (1987), as following: 'The rather dour ruins of Monasteranenagh lie in flat countryside beside the River Camoge, two and a half miles east of Croom and ten and a half miles south of …” · SMR LI031-050004- ↗ · map ↗
  • Oldabbey · “The 13th century Augustinian nunnery of St. Catherine de O'Conyl or ‘Manisternagalliaghduff’, known locally as Old Abbey, stands in the parish of Robertstown, in the medieval barony of Connelloe [O’Conyll].” · SMR LI019-026009- ↗ · map ↗
  • Rylanes (Connello Upper By.) · “According to tradition there was a 'Hospitaller's House near the well of St. John', however, no such foundation is listed by Gwynn and Hadcock (1970, 332-342).” · SMR LI029-135---- ↗

From: Sites and Monuments Record. Abbeys and friaries page →

Castles · 14

From: Wikipedia's castle categories. Castles page →

Lighthouses · none on our lists

From: Wikipedia's list of lighthouses in Ireland. Lighthouses page →

Award beaches · none on our lists

From: Blue Flag and Green Coast awards. Award beaches page →

National parks · none on our lists

From: Wikipedia, National parks of Ireland. National parks page →

Before you go looking

Source: National Monuments Service, Archaeological Survey of Ireland, Sites and Monuments Record, open data via data.gov.ie ↗ (CC BY 4.0); every record links to the Historic Environment Viewer ↗. Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Sites and Monuments Record (Department for Communities, Historic Environment Division), OpenDataNI ↗.

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