Uisneach

The Midlands


Between Mullingar (16km northeast) and Althone (31km southeast) on the R390 is Uisneach, the centre of Ireland during neolithic times when sea levels were lower (the centre today is 46km to the west). It's a site with great ancient significance. Ancient constructions found so far include earthworks that may have been a royal palace, a possible fort and holy wells. The 2-sq-km site is mostly privately owned; the only way to visit is by an informative two-hour tour.

Tours cover a 3km route; arrive by 12.45pm.

In early May, half-way between the spring equinox and summer solstice, it hosts the Bealtine Fire Festival.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Midlands attractions

1. Belvedere House & Gardens

8.01 MILES

Magnificent Belvedere House, 7.5km south of Mullingar, is an unmissable sight. This immense 1740-built hunting and fishing lodge is set in 65 hectares of…

2. Kilbeggan Distillery Experience

8.7 MILES

Established in 1757, Kilbeggan is Ireland's oldest licensed distillery – after stopping production in 1957, it has been producing whiskey again since 2007…

3. Cathedral of Christ the King

9.27 MILES

Mullingar's most distinctive landmark is this colossal twin-towered cathedral, commenced in 1933 and consecrated on the eve of WWII. Its large mosaics of…

4. Dún na Sí Heritage Park

9.48 MILES

Situated 19km east of Athlone, this engaging folk park has a recreated ring fort, a portal dolmen, a lime kiln, a Mass rock, a farmhouse, a fisherman's…

5. Clara Bog Visitor Centre

10.49 MILES

Sharing space with the local library in the village of Clara, this small, modern visitor centre gives an engaging overview of the life and ecosystem of…

6. Clara Bog Nature Reserve

11.99 MILES

Clara Bog is one of the few great expanses of classic bogland in Western Europe to escape being stripped for fuel. Deceptively flat and seemingly lifeless…

7. Corlea Trackway

14.41 MILES

Don't miss the extraordinary Corlea Trackway, an Iron Age bog road built in 148 BC. An 18m stretch of the pavement-like oak track has been preserved in a…

8. Tullamore Dew Visitor Centre

14.95 MILES

Located in an 1829-built canal-side warehouse, this famous whiskey producer's visitor centre has engaging exhibits that spotlight the role of the Grand…

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