Information Kiltimagh Ireland
The area around the refurbished railway station is also used to house artefacts. The Historical Society acquired a local goods store for the site of a museum in the 1980s. Kiltimagh had been struggling economically, with factory and train station closures leading to high emigration and unemployment. Since those dark days, the museum has expanded with further acquisitions. Two old railway carriages commemorate the thousands who were forced to emigrate. But, as suggested, the museum is about more than rail travel. Instruments from the town band in the nineteenth century feature, as do other items of historical significance to the area. The museum at Kiltimagh is also a reliquary for locals or those connected to the area who contributed to Ireland or the world at large in cultural, sporting or historical fields. These include Mike Hogarty, who worked on the Nasa Apollo programme and Gene Tunney, the world champion heavyweight boxer in the mid 1920s. Between 1967 and 1969, Mike Hogarty headed up the testing of a number of Apollo spacecraft before becoming a computer systems developer in the aerospace and aeronautics fields. He was born in Kiltimagh in 1920 and a decade later moved to the United States, serving in the Air Force during World War Two. Tunney, whose parents met in the United States but who both hailed from Kiltimagh, defeated Jack Dempsey to retain his title in one of the most famous and controversial bouts in boxing history. Indeed, Irish Americans seemed to have conquered the field of pugilism at the time, fielding many world class boxers.
Attractions Kiltimagh Ireland
Ballintubber Abbey - Claremorris
This 13th century abbey is unique, not only is it the only church in Ireland still in use which was founded by an Irish King, but it is also the one Irish church where for over 781 years Mass has been offered without a break. Its story is graphically told in a video documentary on show at the abbey. Founded in 1216 by the last King of Connaught, Cathal Crovdearg O'Connor, for the Canons Regular of St. Augustine order, the Abbey had large tracts of land in the district until the dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VII. Retreats, pilgrimages and tours are available today. The Celtic Furrow Visitors Centre provides guided tours of the region, tracing 5,000 years of Irish culture.
Céide Fields - Ballina
Ballycastle - 8 miles from Ballins. Beneath the wild boglands of North Mayo lies Ceide Fields, the most extensive stone age monument in the world; field systems, dwelling areas and megalithic tombs of 5,000 years ago. In addition, the wild flora of the bog is of international importance and is bounded by some of the most spectacular rock formations and cliffs in Ireland. The Visitor Centre houses displays and exhibitions in English and Irish.
Croagh Patrick - Westport - Westport
The Pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick is located close to Wesport town. In 441 AD St. Patrick reached the summit of Croagh Patrick and fasted for 40 day. St. Patrick is also noted for banishing the snakes from Ireland. A wonderful experience and challenge on a fine day. Spectacular view of County Mayo. For info on Guided Tours of Croagh Partick
Doon - Archaeological Nature Peninsula - Cong
A designated Area of Scienific Interest, Accredited a National Heritage Area. Doon Promontory Fort, on Lough Carra, with sites from Late Bronze Age, enclosed in a spectacular landscape of mountain, lake and woodland, is one of the largest identified site of its type in Ireland. A self-guided Tour along a woodland trail from our earliest ancestors, through Bronze Age (2,000 B.C.), Iron Age (300 B.C.), Early Christian and Norman Times. A town noted for the filming of the Quiet Man, with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Many connections with the Quiet Man are on show. Also the location of Ashford Castle, a high quality hotel with private golf course.
Kiltimagh Museum - Kiltimagh
In the 1980s the Historical Society acquired the old Goods Store of Kiltimagh Railway Station and turned it into a Museum. Two old Railway Carriages were acquired to commemorate the thousands of our people who had had to emigrate, and these were incorporated into the Museum. Now the Museum houses many artifacts from our past, such as the Land League Banner, buried for safety in a bog for forty years, the instruments of the 19th century town band, items from Kiltimagh Lace School, Railway artifacts and many other items reflecting different aspects of our past.
