Published: Wednesday, 14th July, 2010 5:15pm

Moate historical society set for summer tour

This year's tour takes place on Thursday, July 22, to Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre, Tulsk and Strokestown Park House, Co Rosommon.

The award-winning Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre is one of the most important and best preserved Celtic Royal Sites in Europe, and the medieval village of Tulsk, Co. Roscommon is the setting for the new centre.

An amazing array of archaeological remains are located within a four mile radius of the centre, dating from the Stone Age to the historic period, and these are interpreted in their bright, modern exhibition rooms.

The central focus is Rathcroghan Mound, now established as a ceremonial mound associated with pre-Christian ritual. Most of the important sites date from the Late Bronze Age and the Iron Age, a period of great activity and progress in Ireland 's past.

The legendary Cruachan was a Royal Palace, home of Medb (or Meave) "the drunken one ", Warrior Queen and Earth Goddess. Fierce and proud, she was responsible for launching the famed cattle raid of Cooley, as recounted in one of the greatest works of early Irish literature, the Táin Bó Cuailnge.

Cruachan was also the inauguration site and burial place of the Kings of Connacht, and the location of one of the three famous feiseanna of Ireland.

Strokestown Park House is an 18th century mansion which has been faithfully restored.

It is unique in that it retains its original furnishings and professionally guided tours allow visitors to browse freely through the stately surroundings.

The four-acre 18th century walled pleasure garden has been fully restored to its' original splendour. It's piece de resistance is its' herbaceous border which is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest herbaceous border in Britain & Ireland.

The Famine Museum uses a combination of original documents and images from the Strokestown Park collection to explain the circumstances of the Great Irish Famine of the 1840's. This collection boasts an extensive range of papers including actual letters written by the tenants on the Strokestown Estate at the time of the famine.

The bus leaves Tuar Árd Carpark at 8.45am. Non members are most welcome. If you are interested please contact a committee member or Email moatehistory@gmail.com no later than Friday, July 16th.