Page 108 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

106 BACK ROADS IRELAND

1 Tullow ª Carry on along the side road until
Co Carlow it rejoins the R725. Continue through
A handsome small market town by the lovely wooded country to the estate
River Slaney, with some fine old stone village of Shillelagh.
town houses and shops, Tullow is
known locally as “the granite town”. On The 1798 Rebellion
the hilly main street is a monument The revolutionary United Irishmen
to two leaders of the 1798 Rebellion, planned a national revolt against
John Gallagher and Father John British power in May 1798, when
Murphy, “most cruelly and barbarously sporadic uprisings took place in
parts of Leinster and Ulster. The
put to death by English soldiers on the only substantial rebellion occurred
square of Tullow”. The museum (Apr– in Wexford, where the insurgents
Sep: Tue–Fri pm, Sun pm; volunteer-staffed displayed great fortitude and the
so hours may vary), in a former chapel fighting lasted until July.
beside the River Slaney, tells their story.
The Tullow Agricultural Show in August
is a major livestock show, famous for its 3 Shillelagh
enormous prize bulls. Co Wicklow
Above Tullow Museum, which tells the events ª From Tullow take R725 (Shillelagh Shillelagh is an attractive planned
of the 1798 Rebellion in Tullow Road) east. After 2 km (1 mile) turn left village with stone cottages and a
onto a narrow side road. After 2 km courthouse. Coolattin Park, 2 km
(1 mile), Rathgall stone fort is on the (1 mile) east, in whose estate Shillelagh
right, a short walk across a field. was set, was built in 1804 for Earl
Park at the gate and climb over it. Fitzwilliam, a former Lord Lieutenant
Be careful of cattle and be sure to close of Ireland. It is now a golf course. In
any gate that is opened en route. Tomnafinnoge Wood (3 km/2 miles
VISITING CARLOW AND northeast on the R749) are remnants
WICKLOW COUNTIES
2 Rathgall of one of the great ancient Irish oak
Tourist Information Co Carlow forests, which provided the roof
www.carlowtourism.com Unrestored and overgrown with briars, timbers for St Patrick’s Cathedral in
www.visitwicklow.ie this impressive prehistoric four-ring Dublin and Westminster Hall in London.
Bicycle Hire stone hill fort appears much as it has Shillelagh gives its name to the famous
Celtic Cycling rents bikes and arranges stood for thousands of years. The Irish oak cudgel, now more usually
itineraries and accommodation in the medieval outer walls encircle earlier made of blackthorn. It is possible to visit
perfect rolling cycling country of fortifications from the Bronze and Iron a traditional stickmaker’s yard in the
southeast Ireland.
Lorum Old Rectory; Ages, when spears, swords and shields village to see how they are made.
www.celticcycling.com were fashioned here. North of the fort ª From Shillelagh take R725 east.
are the impressive Harolds town Turn right after 4 km (2½ miles) on
Shillelagh Sticks
Old Shillelagh Stick Makers, Main Dolmen, while a stone circle to its east a minor road along the Derry river
Street, Shillelagh; 086 272 2913; is said to be the birthplace of the valley towards Watchhouse village,
www.oldshillelagh.com 5th-century Kings of Leinster. where you turn right for Clonegal.
WHERE TO STAY IN TULLOW
Ballyderrin House inexpensive
An old house attractively modernized,
this is a charming and comfortable
place to stay, just east of Tullow.
The nine bedrooms – four in the
main house and five garden rooms –
offer luxurious facilities.
Shillelagh Rd, Tullow; 059 915 2742;
www.ballyderrin.com
Mount Wolseley Hilton Hotel
expensive
A luxury hotel with spa, to the
southeast of Tullow, popular with
golfers who play the adjoining
18-hole championship course.
Mount Wolseley, Tullow; 059 918 0100;
www.mountwolseley.ie Above Cycling the peaceful, empty mountain roads that skirt Mount Leinster

Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €100; moderate, €100–€200; expensive, over €200

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Back Roads LAYERS PRINTED:
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Date 29th April 2009
Size 145mm x 217mm
Fonts Bulletfont, Clearbullet,
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