With families always on the lookout for good days out during the summer, they could do worse than look very close to home and Timahoe, a village with massive history and plenty to do for all ages.
The village is home to the Round Tower, with an adjacent Heritage Centre and children’s playground. We visited recently where Roghan Headen gave us the tour and the background.
The Tower was built by St Mochua, a warrior who later turned to religious vows. Augustine Canon monks ran the Tower, until they were murdered under the orders of Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century. The infamous spot where they were killed is called ‘Murder Lane’, on the road from Timahoe to Stradbally.
In 1827 a man named Daniel Keane climbed to the top of the tower for a bet. When he won, he gave the money to the Catholic Church in Timahoe.
The Heritage Centre
The Heritage Centre that is there now is free and open from Monday to Friday.
Roghan is one of the curators of the site. “It’s a great place to bring your family for a nice day out as during the summer months it can be hard to keep children entertained. There aren’t many places you can go nowadays that it’s free and that is a big thing to families with young children.”
For those interested in local history, there are many books and an audiovisual presentation in the Centre. “It gives you a background into Laois history and an insight into the lives of people who lived here,” said Roghan.
Artists will also have a keen curiousity towards the area as it has Ireland’s only Sheela Na Gig, the female verison of the famous Seán Na Gig stone figure.
The curators of the Heritage Centre are now hoping to build a fairy village with park benches on the site for children.
The centre can be opened at any time by contacting 087 6813116 and is managed by a curator from 11am to 2pm Monday to Friday.
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