The annual outing for 2024 will be will be based in Birr from Friday 26th April to Monday 29th inclusive, Accommodation has been reserved in The County Arms Hotel but all of these rooms are now booked following the announcement of the outing details at recent meetings of the society. It may be worthwhile to contact the hotel to see if rooms become free — our contact is Michelle Digan 057 912 0791 Here are other accommodation options: Please let us know (at outings@rathichaelhistoricalsociety.ie ) if you plan to stay elsewhere. We have arranged dinner in the hotel for Sat. evening 27th April (3 courses + tea / coffee for €38 / person) Please ensure that you have reserved with the hotel for dinner (if you will be joining us). Cost of dinner and drinks is not included in the outing cost and must be dealt with individually. The plans for the weekend are now finalised and are very exciting. They include a guided visit to the Monastic site of Sier Kieran for those who arrive in Birr in the early afternoon on Fri. An introductory talk on The Monastic Midlands in the hotel on the Fri. evening – with tea / coffee. A guided visit to Birr Castle, Museum and Gardens and a guided walking tour of Birr, after lunch in the castle café. Guided visits to Clonmacnoise and Clonfert, with lunch and a guided visit to the Napoleonic fort in Shannonbridge. Guided visits to the Monastic site of Lemanaghan, with lunch locally, and to visit Boher Church to see the famous shrine and Harry Clarke windows there, and a visit to a private metal working workshop. Cost for the trip is €110. This includes all visits, appreciation for our guides, 3 lunches + tea / coffee on the Fri. evening. Full itinerary will be provided when you book and the outing fee is paid. We look forward to spending a most enjoyable weekend with you in Birr.
Category: RHS Members Outings
Puck’s Castle
We are very fortunate to have Peter Pearson to show members the restoration work on the castle which has been undertaken recently by the owners. As most members will know, Peter has written several books which cover aspects of our local history, the latest being The Granite Coast (THE O’BRIEN PRESS ). The visit will begin at 15.00 at the castle. No booking is necessary but the visit is limited to members on account of limited space. Directions: The castle is on Puck’s Castle Lane ( Google Map ) which branches off the Ballycorus Road opposite Heronford Lane and runs past the top of the Quarry Road off the Ferndale Road. Parking will be available at the castle — just turn in at the gate.
Guided Walk in Dublin’s Liberties – 27th May 2023
Arran Henderson of Dublin Decoded will lead a walk around parts of the Dublin Liberties. The starting time is 11.00 am, SATURDAY 27 MAY at the fountain in the centre of the parkbeside Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. The walk will last approximately 2 hours. Remember to dress appropriately for the weather! Walk DetailsVisit Blackpitts, Newmarket, Mill Street, the former St Luke’s Church and its old Almshouse,Cork Street and the Coombe, we will discuss industry from the medieval period thoughthe 1600s and beyond, underground rivers, neglect and regeneration, including thehistory of weavers, tanning, brewing and distilling in this area; trade, fire, poverty and rebellion.Later on our walk we will visit philanthropic housing from the late 1800s, the site of an historichospital, and much more, in this extraordinary quarter of Dublin’s Liberties. Audio kits will be provided and are included in the cost. The cost is 20 euros per person. Booking can be made here. If you arrive for the walk without a booking, you MUST have the fee in CASH with you and youwill not have an audio kit provided as these must be booked in advance.
