National Monument

National Monument of Ireland is a structure or site that the state deems to be of national importance. And therefore worthy of protection.

Check out all the National Monument I’ve been visiting in Ireland.

Jerpoint Abbey, Co. Kilkenny

Ireland is dotted with several impressive ruined Cistercians abbeys like Duiske Abbey, Dunbrody Abbey, Tintern Abbey, and Baltinglass Abbey. And Jerpoint Abbey is one of the most intact and most complete Irish Cistercian monasteries with remarkable...

The Ring of the Rath, Co. Wicklow

Rathgall Hillfort or Ring of the Rath is a large multivallate hill fort in County Wicklow. Located near the Shillelagh village, about 6 km east of Tullow in County Carlow and only a 3-minute drive from Rathwood. It is one of the largest and most...

Castledermot Friary, Co. Kildare

Castledermot Abbey is a ruined Franciscan friary located in the town of Castledermot, on the Carlow Road R448. The small town of Castledermot in County Kildare was originally called ‘Diseart Diarmad’. That means ‘Dermot’s Hermitage’. What`s more, it...

Baltinglass Abbey, Co. Wicklow

Baltinglass is a town in southwest County Wicklow. Located on the River Slaney near the border with County Carlow and County Kildare, on the N81 road. When I was passing through Baltinglass I always admired the view of the surrounding hills of the...

Glendalough’s Monastic Sites with Round Tower, Co. Wicklow

Glendalough’s Monastic Sites, Co. Wicklow

On my visit in September 2021, I explored Glendalough’s Monastic Sites with Round Tower. It is the historical focal point of Glendalough Valley and the starting point for most visits to the area. One of Ireland’s iconic and most beautiful visitors...

Old Kilcullen High Crosses and Round Tower, Co. Kildare

Coming back from Kildare Village to Carlow we stopped to see Old Kilcullen High Crosses and Round Tower. Old Kilcullen is a significant historical site in County Kildare, outside the town of Kilcullen. Just under 5 km from Newbridge and...

Castledermot Round Tower and High Crosses, Co. Kildare

Castledermot Round Tower and the High Crosses nearby are a National Monument of Ireland. In addition, Round Towers are a uniquely indigenous form of Irish architecture. An interesting and very well-preserved tower is a 10th-century Round Tower...

Rock of Dunamase, Co. Laois

Dunamase or The Rock of Dunamase is a spectacular rocky limestone outcrop in the townland of Park or Dunamase in County Laois. Situated between Carlow and Portlaoise on the N80 road. It takes its name from the Irish Dún Másc, meaning the ‘Fort of...

St Mullin’s Monastic site

St Mullin’s Monastic site is one of the most significant archaeological sites, standing in importance with Glendalough and Clonmacnoise. So, it attracts many historians, archaeologists, and general visitors to County Carlow and the River...

Duiske Abbey, Co. Kilkenny

Duiske Abbey also known as Graiguenamanagh Abbey, is a 13th-century Cistercian monastery situated in the beautiful town of Graiguenamanagh, County Kilkenny. So, the Abbey is located in the valley of the river Barrow, on...

Ballymoon Castle

Out of hundreds of ruined castles across Ireland, Ballymoon Castle is one of the more unique and mysterious. Situated in the Barrow Valley, approximately 2 miles (3 km) east of Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown), County Carlow, Ireland. Ballymoon Castle is...