The town of Dunmore is in North East Galway on the banks of the Sinking River. It located on the N83 national secondary road where the R328 and R360 regional roads meet.
If you visit Dunmore at festival time or another time of the year you will find lots of things to see and do in the Parish. We have put together a few highlights below
The Digital StoryMap of Dunmore compiled by Dunmore Heritage is an amazing online resource. As you scroll through the pages you will be taken on a journey through the history and development of Dunmore Town from Medieval Times to the present day.
Check it out online here and why not even come to Dunmore and explore it in person.
Dunmore Abbey was founded for the Augustinian Friars in 1425 by Walter De Birmingham, Lord Baron of Athenry and Dunmore. The original Abbey would have been a larger area than what we see today but the ruins now consist of a nave, crossing tower and chancel. For More Check our local Historian Hubert Birmingham’s site
Situated about 1KM from the town of Dunmore on the Bog Walk Trail you will find the imposing ruins of Dunmore Castle. Built by the Anglo-Norman de-Birmingham family in the early 13th century.
The castle was a tower house consisting of four storeys and situated on a motte with the remains of a fortifying wall around it. For more info
http://dunmorehistory.ie/dunmore-castle/
A much later, 19th century, limekiln also exists at the site.
The Bog Walk is a peaceful walking trail though farmland and bogland a haven for local flora, fauna and fairies. The Bog walk can be accessed from both the R328 Garrafrauns road about 1KM from the town near Dunmore Castle or from the N83 Ballyhaunis Road.
If you continue a little further out the R328 past the bog walk entrance at Castle you will find another entrance to the bog walk which is the start of our Bog Walk Fairy Trail. Search amongst the trees for fairy doors, houses and shops made by the children of Dunmore with some help from Dunmore Annual Festival Committee. As you explore you will find a magical fairy village, a worry tree, a wishing well and wishing seat.
At the top of Slieve Dart On the Galway Roscommon border Seven looped walking routes have been developed and upgraded to give the outdoor enthusiast the ideal location for health and leisure enhancement. The walking routes range in length from 3 km to 7 km with a 15 km walkway mapped out for those who wish to avail of a more challenging route.
For More Information http://cloonfadscenicwalks.ie/
Local Tradition has always maintained that St. Patrick passed through Dunmore Parish stopping at a number of sites in the parish. One of the places he visited was Tobar na Croise Naofa (The Well of the Holy Cross) in Cappagh. The site of this holy well is believed to have been an old pagan worship site which Patrick used to baptise people. There are many stories associated with this well it can cure you or curse you. For generations people have travelled to this holy well at Cappagh on Pattern Sunday, the last Sunday in July to honour Saint Patrick. Mass and prayers are said at the well on this date and locals provide music &refreshments. If you are in Dunmore around Festival time, make sure to come along.
Founded in 1998, Dunmore Demesne Golf Club is a 9-hole coursed designed by Eddie Hackett. Measuring 5,278 metres and a standard scratch of 68, it is set in mature parklands with mature trees and water coming into play. For more information check out
Located in the shadow of the ruins of the Augustine Abbey is Dunmore Community Playground. Your little ones can swing, slide and climb to their hearts content in an enclosed play area.
To the Eastern side of Slieve Dart at Flaskagh Beg are the remains of a court cairn. This is the earliest type of tomb built by the first farmers and dates back to 2500 BC . This important archaeological site has been fenced off for preservation purposes.
The most prominent field monument in the Garrafrauns area is the Portal Dolmen situated due west of the village and is visible from the Poll an Adhastar road. It dates back to 2000 B.C. It is a Neolithic structure. The Dolmen at Garrafrauns is in a collapsed state and is comprised of 5 large Stones.
http://www.garrafrauns.com/our-heritage/field-monuments/dolmen/
Within the confines of Addergoole Graveyard we encounter 2 unusual stones known as “bullauns” Situated to the west of the site of the ancient church ruin we find a large flagstone in which there is a deep, hemispherical depression about 3 inches in diameter.
http://www.garrafrauns.com/our-heritage/field-monuments/bullaun/
