The picturesque village of Turlough in Mayo is nestled along the north bank of the Castlebar River. Described by Samuel Lewis in 1837 as a “wild romantic district”, Turlough is a landscape of outstanding natural beauty and heritage, filled with opportunities for exploration and enjoyment.
Turlough’s history is a rich and varied one. The agricultural landscape that has developed around the abundance of rivers and lakes that define this part of Mayo is crammed with the story of its people and its places.
In this audio guide, we will journey back to the days of Ireland’s patron saint, Patrick, who is said to have visited here. We will also discover stories of the two great lordly families of the area, the Burkes and Fitzgeralds. We will witness the impact and influence of the Turlough Park estate on the local community, and follow the development of its great house and gardens. We will explore the folklife collections in the newly constructed Museum behind the great house. We will walk the streets and fields of Turlough village, exploring the diverse community which formed its population–a community that once boasted religious houses from no less than four different faiths. Along the way we will encounter everything from legendary figures to industrial labourers and even Ireland’s most notorious duellist.
All this and more make up the story of Turlough, one of the true hidden gems of County Mayo.
28 Oct 2025
Fore Audio Guide
Welcome to Fore, County Westmeath. Many places in Ireland are celebrated as ‘hidden gems’, and Fore is certainly one of those. This historic village began as an Early Christian monastery and later developed into an Anglo-Norman walled town on the edge of the Pale.
Today, it is a popular place to visit for its unique, picturesque setting, natural beauty, and rich history and heritage. Its ruins include the remains of two medieval parish churches, an anchorites’ (or hermits’) cell, three holy wells, the site of a motte and bailey castle, a medieval gaol, wayside crosses and one of the most impressive Benedictine Priories in Ireland. It was also a walled town, and two medieval gatehouses that once controlled access survive to this day.
These treasures, along with its lack of modern development and relaxed character, where the most persistent noise you will hear is the gentle toll of a church bell, make Fore a place of national—and some would say European—significance. And if you meet some of the locals during your visit, you will no doubt experience their sense of pride in their medieval heritage. So, step back in time with us and discover the Wonders of Fore.
12 Sept 2025
Streamstown Station – Tales from the Track Audio Guide
Welcome to Streamstown Train Station on the Old Rail Trail. For just over a century this train line was used by locomotives carrying goods, animals and people. This station has a rather intriguing history connected to a Grand National-winning racehorse, the 1916 Rising, Ireland’s War of Independence, and the Civil War.
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