Roscommon

It would appear I forgot to post this from last months adventures, but no time like the present!

Roscommon is about a 45 minute drive north of us.  Easy drive. The town is about the same size as Athlone.

The Roscommon castle ruins are what's left of what would have been a stunning 13th century Norman castle.  They sit quietly on a small hill at the back of a 14 acre park, which in itself is pretty  impressive.  The park includes a crannog (man-made island for wildlife in the middle of a pond) wildflower meadow, bird walks, adult exercise area and a playground.

Approaching the castle you can't help but be intimated by the size of this place. Most of the outer wall of the castle still stands and is currently home to a number of grazing cows (and one donkey).

It was built on lands seized from an Augustinian Priory in 1269 by Robert de Ufford.  Like so many castles in Ireland, over the years, it shuffled back and forth between the English and Irish. At one point, back in Irish hands, it was partially blown up by Cromwell's forces in 1652, along with all the castle defenses.  Not sure why, but it finally burned down in 1690.   You can see where some newer patches have been made to the walls, but for the most part it's foundations are all original.

What I particularly enjoy about this site is there are little to no other tourists.  Just a few locals enjoying the park, strolling their children or walking their dogs (mostly always off-leash).  You also get to walk around the inside and experience the sense of size at the massive walls that would have risen 4 stories high.

After walking through the park and back to town we found the Sacred Heart Church. I enjoy going to churches, especially when no one else is in side and I can take pictures.  It's huge and sparkles with all the spectacle one would expect from a church this size.  One thing I did notice was they still displayed a picture of Pope Paul. (what message does this send?)

PHOTO ALBUM