History off the beaten track - Ireland's top heritage sites (you've never heard of)

Ireland has literally thousands of amazing historic and archaeological sites that stretch back thousands of years. Many of the best of these are off the beaten track and do not feature on tourist trails.

A few weeks ago archaeologist Neil Jackman took me to one of these - the vast sprawling ruins of Athassel priory in South Tipperary. In a wide ranging interview, Neil explained the history of this 800 year old building. We also meandered through fascinating chapters in Irish history and discussed other great sites to visit and how to find them!

It was a really fun episode to record - I hope you enjoy it.

The War of Independence Series will return in mid September - I have episode 16 and 17 finished and I am currently writing episode18.

You can find Tuatha, the membership service Neil mentioned here abartaheritage.ie/tuatha.

List of Sites mentioned in the show.

Athassel Priory, Co Tipperary- The best way to find the abbey is by entering these co-ordinates on googlemaps 52.479973, -7.986425 https://www.discoverireland.ie/tipperary/athassel-abbey

Kells Priory, Co Kilkenny https://www.discoverireland.ie/kilkenny/kells-priory

St Mogues Island, Co Cavan https://www.discoveringireland.com/st-mogues-island/

Rock of Cashel, CoTipperary https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/rock-of-cashel/

Sceilig Micheal, Co Kerry https://www.abartaheritage.ie/skellig-michael/

Kylemore Connemara, Co Galway https://www.kylemoreabbey.com/

Omey Island, Co Galway https://www.connemara.net/omey-tidal-island/Derrigimlagh Bog, Co Galway https://www.discoverireland.ie/galway/derrigimlagh

Newgrange, Co Meath https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/bru-na-boinne-visitor-centre-newgrange-and-knowth/

Kilmogue, Co Kilkenny https://www.discoverireland.ie/kilkenny/leac-an-scail-kilmogue-dolmen-harristown-dolmen

Gaulstown Dolmen, Co Waterford https://www.discoverireland.ie/waterford/gaulstown-dolmen

FourKnocks, Co Dublin https://www.discoverboynevalley.ie/boyne-valley-drive/heritage-sites/four-knocks

Loughcrew, Co Westmeath https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/loughcrew-cairns/

Clonmacnoise, Co Offaly https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/clonmacnoise/