Irish Historical Sites. 5 to see in Connaught

Written by Lulu O'Sullivan

Lulu stands at the foot of Benbulben, County Sligo wearing a red Aran sweater under a cloudy sky. The landscape features rolling hills and a sense of openness.

Hi everyone. I hope I find you all keeping well. This week, I'm visiting some iconic Irish historical sites with a trip to the province of Connaught in the west of Ireland.

There's a wealth of amazing places to visit here so it was tough to narrow it down! Here's five of my must-sees, and a few of my favorite picks from The Irish Store to bring a little piece of Connaught home with you.

Irish Historical Sites. 5 to see in Connaught

1. Carrowkeel Megalithic Cemetery, County Sligo

A stone entrance is partially obscured by a large pile of rocky debris, set against a cloudy sky. The mound appears to be a burial site or ancient structure, showcasing weathered stones and sparse vegetation around it. — ©Fáilte Ireland. Courtesy of Aoife Rafferty

First stop is in my favourite County Sligo. Carrowkeel Megalithic Cemetery is made up of 14 cairns which date back to 3500 BC.

They stand on the summits of the Bricklieve Mountains, meaning "speckled mountains", so called because of the bare quartz rock visible on the outside of the cairns, which causes the mountains to glint and glitter in the sunshine.

The monuments were first excavated in 1911 by a team of archaeologists led by Robert Alexander Stewart Mc Alister. They form part of a line of 4 major neolithic passage tomb sites stretching from County Sligo in the west to the Brú na Bóinne (Boyne Valley Tombs) in County Meath.

🛍️ The Irish Store Pick: The rugged, windswept landscape of Sligo calls for something equally timeless.

Our Men's Heritage Plaid Irish Flat Cap is handcrafted from authentic Irish wool tweed and makes the perfect companion for a walk among the cairns of the Bricklieve Mountains. Available here.

2. Lissadell House, County Sligo

Lissadell House, County Sligo. A large, classic stone building with multiple windows stands against a partly cloudy sky. The structure features symmetrical design elements and is framed by greenery in the background. Stone steps lead up to the entrance. — ©Failte Ireland. Courtesy of Peter McCabe

We stay in Sligo for a trip to Lissadell House on the shores of the Magherow peninsula. Built in 1830, it was the home of the Gore-Booth family, and the sisters Constance (later Countess Markievicz) and Eva Gore-Booth spent their childhood there.

WB Yeats was a friend and visited the house often. The house and the sisters provided inspiration for his poem, "Lissadell".

The light of evening, Lissadell,
Great windows open to the south,
Two girls in silk kimonos, both
Beautiful, one a gazelle"

The gardens here are also magnificent, sweeping gently down to the shores of the Atlantic.

🛍️ The Irish Store Pick: Lissadell's literary legacy and timeless elegance deserve a gift to match.

A close-up view of a silver pendant hanging on a chain, set against a textured white sweater. The pendant features an intricate design with a curved shape and is partially ornamented. A large wooden button is visible on the sweater.

Our Connemara Marble Trinity Knot Pendant is a beautifully crafted piece of Irish heritage , the kind of thing Constance or Eva might have treasured. Available Here.

3. Ashford Castle, County Mayo

Aerial view of a large stone castle surrounded by lush greenery and water. The castle features multiple towers and an expansive lawn with a circular garden. Nearby, a river meanders through the landscape, reflecting the blue sky and scattered clouds.

We head into neighboring County Mayo for a trip to a stunning Irish medieval castle in a truly fairytale setting.

There has been a castle on this site since 1228, erected by the Anglo-Norman House of Burke. In 1939 it was gifted to the Irish government.

Today it is a top-drawer 5-star hotel and in its long and varied history it has hosted many famous guests including Oscar Wilde, John Lennon and Princess Grace.

🛍️ The Irish Store Pick: If you're treating yourself to a stay at Ashford Castle, you'll want to arrive in style.

Our Traditional Crew Neck Aran Sweater featuring the classic stitches passed down through generations is the ultimate in Irish luxury and warmth. Fit for a castle, truly. Available Here.

4. Céide Fields, County Mayo

Céide Fields Visitor Centre, Ballycastle, County Mayo — ©Failte Ireland. Courtesy of Peter McCabe

Staying in Mayo, we head to Ballycastle for a trip to Céide Fields. This ancient field system is over 5,000 years old and the brilliant visitor center, looking out into the Atlantic Ocean, shines a fascinating light on our Stone Age ancestors.

🛍️ The Irish Store Pick: Standing on the edge of the Atlantic at Céide Fields, you'll feel the pull of ancient Ireland. Our Inishloe Aran Sweater is woven with the same spirit, traditional stitches, each one carrying its own meaning, connecting you to thousands of years of Irish craft. Available Here.

5. Dún Aonghasa, County Galway

Dún Aonghasa, Inis Mór, Aran Islands, County Galway — © Failte Ireland/Tourism Ireland. Gareth McCormack/garethmccormack.com

We stay in ancient Ireland as we head over to the Aran Islands in County Galway. This incredible prehistoric stone fort is situated on Inis Mór, the largest of the islands.

It dates back to the Bronze Age and has been referred to as "the most magnificent barbaric monument in Europe." The location of the fort is stunning, perched on top of a sheer cliff with an 87-metre drop to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Aran Islands are, of course, the spiritual home of Aran knitwear — and no visit to Connaught is complete without bringing a little of that heritage home with you.

🛍️ The Irish Store Pick: Inspired by the islands themselves, our Men's Fisherman Lightweight Crew Neck Heritage Sweater is the definitive piece of Irish knitwear.

Each stitch tells a story - cable, honeycomb, diamond - patterns that have been knitted on these islands for centuries. Available here

As always, thanks for dropping by to join me for our wander around Connaught. Stay tuned for more trips around Ireland in the coming weeks!

Take care of yourselves and each other,

Slán go fóill!

Lulu.

LULU O'SULLIVAN

Hi everyone. I'm Lulu O Sullivan and I founded The Irish Store in 2011 fuelled by my passion for all things Irish; its places, its people, its culture and its craft. At The Irish Store we are dedicated to bringing you, our worldwide community of valued customers, the very finest Ireland has to offer. Thanks for dropping by!