Rathcroghan Visitor Centre

About the museum

Rathcroghan, in Irish Ráth Cruachan, is a landscape of about 240 identified archaeological sites within 6.5 square kilometres, dating from the Neolithic period to the late medieval period. It includes some 28 burial mounds of the Bronze and Iron Ages, ringforts, standing stones, earthworks and an Iron Age ritual sanctuary. It is known as the ancient capital of Connacht and, in early Irish literature, as the seat of Queen Medb and one of the three chief burial places of Ireland.

The visitor centre in the medieval village of Tulsk is the home of the museum. Its interpretive rooms show how Iron Age and medieval people dressed, ate, lived and what they believed, and they retell the stories of the Táin Bó Cúailnge. The Óenach Cruachain exhibition displays thirty-five artefacts from the mid-Roscommon landscape that were previously held at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin and were not on view to the public.

From the centre, archaeologists lead guided tours of about two and a half hours to Rathcroghan Mound and the surrounding monuments, and in some seasons to Oweynagat, known as the Gate to Hell.

Highlights

• Óenach Cruachain exhibition of thirty-five local artefacts from the National Museum collection
• Interpretive rooms on Iron Age and medieval life and the Táin Bó Cúailnge
• Guided archaeological tour to Rathcroghan Mound and the royal site
• Táin Café and a specialist book and craft shop

Permanent exhibitions

• Óenach Cruachain – Thirty-five artefacts found in the mid-Roscommon landscape, shown in the interpretive rooms.
• Interpretive rooms: Power, Death and the Otherworld – The rooms explain Iron Age and medieval life, Rathcroghan’s role in the Táin Bó Cúailnge and the myths of the Otherworld.

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The visitor centre has full wheelchair and disability access. Cave entry on the guided tour is restricted until further notice following a health and safety review; the site tours take place outdoors in rough terrain.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

All ages are welcome at the museum and on the guided tour. Baby-changing facilities are available in the visitor centre, and school and field-trip programmes are offered.

Getting there & parking

The visitor centre is in the medieval village of Tulsk.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Táin Café is in the visitor centre and is open all year; the shop sells books, guidebooks, prints and crafts.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit