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Roscommon Castle
After recently moving to Roscommon, we thought we should get out and explore. Me and my son set of for wander round the new neighborhood. And what we came across was the ruins of the Roscommon Castle and Loughnaneane Park.
As soon as I heard of the castle i wanted to visit. I have often loved visiting ruins itβs really a place to let the imagination flow and wander what these sorts of structures where once like when operational.
Location
Set about 2 minute drive from the town center, best access and parking is just off Castle Street and down Castle Lane.
Roscommon has a town center train station located 3 minute drive to Roscommon Castle. Busus are available also via Bus Eireann
A Brief History Of The Castle
The Roscommon Castle now in ruins, this large and striking 13th-century Norman castle was once of Hugh OβConnor, the King of Connaught. It features a quadrangular plan with rounded bastions at the corners and a double-towered entrance gate.
The castles 7 Norman structure, built back in 1269 by then Robert de Ufford, on lands which were taken from an Augustinian priory.
The castle was laid to siege by the Connacht King Aodh OβConnor in 1272. Eight years on, and then again in the possession of the English garrison and fully restored. 1340 came around and the OβConnors had regained possession and held it until 1569, to which it then fell to Sir Henry Sidney, who at the time was the Lord Deputy.
Our Visit To The Castle
The Roscommon Castle ruins is free to visit and is its surrounding walking tracks and play areas. Open all year round with no opening or closing times.
The castle from across Loughnaneane park looks beautiful and as you can see the structure is largely still well visible. Currently a few restoration projects are also ongoing helping to keep this site as well maintained as possible.
The Castle
The entrance to the castle through the stone arch is grand and very well maintained. A bridge at the front of the castle is not the original but is there for access to all visitors, With easy ramps and railings for elderly or wheelchair access.
Once inside the ruins become more visible and you can really see where it all once stood. The extremely high walls and stunning windows show the formation of the former 3 floored castle.
I do love to sit back and absorb places like this and try to imagine what it once was like when it was operational. I think imagination is great could you imagine the people who once resided here and how they went about there lives.
The stairwell access still remains but due to the ruins lead to nowhere. They are gated shut due to safety, and the obvious ruins of the site. But these would of been access to the other levels of the castle.
One of my favourite shots from the back of the castle. Luckily I managed to capture the glaring sunlight through the windows and gate. This back gate leads out onto a grassed area which would of once been part of the castles gardens and courtyard.
Another shot, and this time of one of the bastions. This would of been built so to allow defense fire in several directions. Again the obvious signs of ruins and what once was a castle. Itβs easy to see here the former castle was over 3 floors with the still present window frames.
The Park
A very well maintained walking track adjacent to the castle and a lake situated perfectly in the center of Loughnaneane park. Full of ducks, which we now regularly enjoy going to with the kids to feed them. Very friendly and always welcome for some bread if those magpies donβt sweep in to quickly.
Walking tracks around the pond to enjoy and to stretch the legs. There is also a outer walking track for longer walks. Al very well maintained as is the whole area.
Also situated in this park is a good quality well equipped playground. With lots of climbing and adventures for the kids again extremely well maintained and like new. Plenty of space for kids with an array of features for all ages.
This place is great way to kill an hour or so in the morning and would be a perfect picnic spot in the summer and somewhere to bring the family to enjoyed a great bit of fresh air.
Fitness Machines
Loughnaneane park is well equipped with street fitness machines, this is great way for people to keep fit whilst out for a walk. Again very well maintained and never to crowded. Machines for different parts of the body.
Local Refreshments
A favourite spot of ours and somewhere we like to pick up a coffee to bring for our walks is Rogue and Co in Roscommon Town Centre.
Only a 5 β 6 minute walk from the castle and situated on the high street in Roscommon is Rogue & Co is a trendy cafe offering great food and beverages.
High recommendations the double smash burger and the haloumi burger, or for early risers the smashed avo on sourdough topped with siracha is always a winner.
Equally as mention, a pre walk stop take away coffees and homemade scones are always a hit.
Note: Due to the pandemic level 5 restrictions are in place in Ireland so restaurants are currently working as take aways only. Please check ahead with the venue itself below
County Roscommon Things To Do
Roscommon is a county steeped in history, we have had the priveledge to be here for 3 years now and in that time have seen what this county has to offer. And we are now delighted to offer our ultimate guide to County Roscommon.
Our guide includes our top 5 musts, walk, hotels, restaurants and a few little extras. Make sure to check it out.
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Great post. Roscommon is a beautiful spot to visit (I am from Cork)
It is beautiful isnβt it. We are so lucky now to have it on our doorstep.
Roscommon has so many wonderful places to visit.
Thanks for taking the time to read
The ruins look like a fun place to go exploring! And it really is true that itβs the free exhibits that are the sweetest; glad you had fun spending time within your βbackyardβ of the country!
I do love it and we keep finding spots that we never knew about
Lovely. I love a good ruin, something about them captures my imagination!
Its beautiful and you can try and imagine what it was all once like.
Thanks for stopping by
Have a great day
Oh wow, I love exploring castles! What lovely pictures too.
Thank you it certainly was a lot of fun
I love visiting places like this. Can you imagine what it was really like to live there when it was whole, both the good and the bad? It blows my mind.
Exactly its places like this where your imagination can run wild and think what it once was.
Thanks for stopping by
Love the photos you took! Certainly a good place for walks or spend time. Thanks for the history. Iβm wondering how the beautiful the castleβs interior during the glory days!
Thank you.
I think thatβs one of the best things with a ruins you can imagine what it once was and you can let the imagination run wild.
Thanks for stopping b
Interesting Ruins. Will definitely visit given a chance
Definitely do its lovely little place
Absolutely love those castles in Ireland!! We visited Ireland a few years ago and we loved it there!! Canβt wait to go back! Pictures are lovely as well!!
They are brilliant
Wow, this sounds amazing!! I love visiting castles so if Iβm ever in that area of Ireland Iβll have to add this to my list!
Definitely do is a beautiful piece of history
Roscommon Castle ruins still look strong. I bet this castle must be gorgeous when it was alive. I would like to visit this castle someday. Thank you for sharing this information with me.
I love to see places like this and imagine what they once were
Wow, itβs actually amazing how well preserved the Roscommon Castle is! Your photos are really stunning! I hope I will be able one day to visit this place! Thanks for this post!
Thanks for stopping by we loved it to
The castle looks like a great place to visit, even better having it right on your doorstep! π
So lucky to have so close to us
Iβve never heard of Roscommon. But I definitely love me some castle ruins. But not only that, ones where thereβs a nice walk π
Its a great place for a quick visit and stretch the legs
This castle looks super cute! Glad to hear that itβs free to explore!
Free is always good. A great local spot to have
I can see that this castle has a wealth of history behind it. The ruins look absolutely beautiful with the water nearby it! Gorgeous captures of the park as well, I think I would thoroughly enjoy a stroll around that property!
It is beautiful and so lucky to e on our doorstep and who doesnβt love a bit of history
Looks so peaceful! Ruins are fascinating to explore.
I love to sit back and absorb places like this, too. It must have been such a bustling place at one point. If only those crumbling walls could talk.
Its great to let that imagination run wild
Love this post. We love a good castle anyway but this one looks fantastic. Great detail and information.
What a lovely castle. Great pictures.
Thanks we love it to
I love visiting places like this and wondering how they were in the past. Beautiful area around the castle as well
We are very lucky to have it so close to home the whole family loves it
What a gorgeous spot for a castle! It must have been spectacular when new.
I could only imagine it would of been stunning
Wow this looks so charming, castles and lakes and the dream combinations.
Love your photos, thanks for sharing..
Was a beautiful visit
Looks like a great place to visit. I love old castles and a bit of nature.
Cant beat it and a great day to wonder round
What a great place to have close to home! A castle and a park, just perfect.
We are very lucky
Making full note of the Rogue and Co cafe. Double smash burger yes please. I havenβt been to Roscommon for a few years and itβs longer since I visited the castle. Iβm going to fix that this year.
Cant beat a good burger especially a double
Absolutely beautiful photos!! What a fun castle to explore.
We had great fun
This looks like a beautiful castle it really reminds me of framlington castle? Itβs a shame about the restrictions but itβs still a great day out x
Never heard of Framlington Castle will have to look it up