Lough Gur Visitor Centre

Lough Gur Visitor Centre and Lakeshore Park is something of a hidden gem, yet it shouldn’t be, as the 76-hectare lake is dazzlingly beautiful, AND it’s framed by one of the most informative visitor centres on the island of Ireland. Through interactive exhibitions, audiovisual presentations and more, the archaeological history of the area is detailed, from the Stone Age up to the 19th century. Expert tour guides are on hand to explain the rich heritage of the site, with tales of settlers as varied as Bronze Age tribes, Early Christian religious groups and medieval warriors. A dress-up area, listening posts and other features add even more texture to your experience, especially if visiting with children.

Beyond the visitor centre, rolling green hills envelop the shimmering lough and it’s a picturesque spot for a gentle walk or a more strenuous hike. Lough Gur Wedge Tomb and the Bolin Island Crannog – a defensive home built on water – are two interesting landmarks nearby. The Lough Gur Viewpoint offers a fantastic panoramic overview of this unspoilt region. The must-visit site, however, has to be Grange Stone Circle, the largest standing stone circle in Ireland, with more than 113 stones, the biggest of which is four metres high and weighs 40 tons. The mind boggles at the effort and dedication required to build such a monument thousands of years ago. Lough Gur is sprinkled with quiet wow moments like this, all you need to do is seek them out.