Lough Gur
Lough Gur lies approximately 17 kilometres south of Limerick City and is just off the road between Limerick and Kilmallock. It is an area rich in archaeological remains and is one of Ireland's most important historical sites.
Lough Gur, Co. Limerick
An account of the archaeology and history of Lough Gur and its surrounding areas, looking at the archaeological remains, tombs, graves and old buildings in the area.
Limerick County Library.Lough Gur, Co. Limerick
Limerick County Library.
Limerick County Library.
Lough Gur, Co. Limerick
An account of the archaeology and history of Lough Gur and its surrounding areas, looking at the archaeological remains, tombs, graves and old buildings in the area.
Limerick County Library.There were prehistoric settlements near Lough Gur over 3,000 years ago. These ancient peoples left behind a tresure trove of objects near the Lough. Megalithic tombs, stone circles, crannogs, wedge-shaped graves and neolithic house sites can all be found there.
A Great Stone Circle
Stone Circle, Grange
This marvellous stone circle, which is believed to have had important religious significance, is found in Grange as we come to Lough Gur. The circle is 150 feet in diameter, with some of the stones being over 15 feet.
Courtesy of Limerick County Library.Stone Circle, Grange
Courtesy of Limerick County Library.
Courtesy of Limerick County Library.
Stone Circle, Grange
This marvellous stone circle, which is believed to have had important religious significance, is found in Grange as we come to Lough Gur. The circle is 150 feet in diameter, with some of the stones being over 15 feet.
Courtesy of Limerick County Library.There is a great stone circle near Lough Gur. This is located in the townland of Grange. It is the largest stone circle in Ireland and dates from approximately 2000 BC.
This circle is thought to have had a ritual purpose and constitutes a continous ring of stones of various sizes. It is believed that the position of the stones align with solar and lunar events, such as the ancient festival of Samhain in early November.
Teampall Nua and Gallery Grave
Four kilometres east of Holycross, which is beside Lough Gur, are the ruins of a church called Teampall Nua. It is said to date from the fifteenth century.
The Gallery Grave, Teampall Nua
This megalithic tomb, a wedge-shaped gallery grave, is of a type commonly found in the South of Ireland. Measuring nearly 30 feet, it is divided in two by a large slab.
Courtesy of Limerick County Library.The Gallery Grave, Teampall Nua
Courtesy of Limerick County Library.
Courtesy of Limerick County Library.
The Gallery Grave, Teampall Nua
This megalithic tomb, a wedge-shaped gallery grave, is of a type commonly found in the South of Ireland. Measuring nearly 30 feet, it is divided in two by a large slab.
Courtesy of Limerick County Library.The seventeenth-century harper, Tomas O'Conallain, is reputed to be buried here.
Just down the road from the old church is a very large, wedge-shaped gallery grave.
It is divided into two chambers by a large slab stone. It dates from approximately 2000 BC.