Newcastle West - Places of Interest

Places of Interest

The Square - One of the finest Town Squares in Munster.

Desmond Banqueting Hall and Castle - Newcastle West's landmark feature dominates the southern of end of the Main Town Square. The banqueting hall of the Desmond Castle, seat of the Earl of Desmond, parts of which date from the 13th century, is the most notable historical feature of the town. The Current Castle dates from the 15th century and has been recently partly restored and is open to the public, for guided tours May to September. Local folklore always insisted that the castle at one time had been a seat of the Knights Templar. This has been more than likely verified lately while during cleaning of the Old Stone during renovations found the Seals and Crests of the Knights Templar over on old door Threshold of " The Halla Mor", which are in the same grounds. Either way, there has been castles of both timber and stone on this ground since the 13th century and the guided tour is a must for locals and visitors. The area in front of the banqueting hall was the site of The Protestant Church, built in 1777.

Castle Demesne - Over 0.4 square kilometres (99 acres) of parkland with numerous forms of flora and fauna as well as playing areas and sports fields.

Slí na Sláinte - Walking trails which includes the Square and the Demesne.

Great Southern Trail - A walking trail developed along the disused railway line. It offers an interesting scenic walk between Newcastle West and Ardagh or Newcastle West and the Old Mill.

Churchtown Graveyard and Grotto - The Old Church Ruins in Churchtown (Catholic) date back hundreds of years.

Old IRA Monument - situated opposite the church this monument commemorates 17 volunteers who were killed during the war of independence and Civil War 1916 - 1922. The monument was unveiled by President Sean T.O'Kelly in 1955.

Church of the Immaculate Conception (Catholic) - built in 1828 by Father Thomas Coll P.P. The local Landlord, the Earl of Devon gave the site with the parishioners providing voluntary labour in the building work.

Iron Footbridge - crossing over the river Arra the bridge is located opposite the church and was erected by Edward Curling, the Landlord's agent in Newcastle West from 1848 - 1874.

Famine Graveyard - located at the rear of St. Ita's Hospital. Many hundreds of people who died in the work house during the famine are buried there in unmarked graves. The cemetery is marked by a plain old cross and modern, limestone gates sculptured by Cliodna Cussen, showing scenes from the famine and commissioned by the Famine Cemetery Committee.

St. Bridget's Well - located in Shanagarry on the Killarney Road.

Carnegie Library - located in the Market Yard this impressive building was built by the Carnegie Trust and founded by the Scottish / philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The building housed a secondary school for many years. It is now a busy commercial centre.

Bridge of Tears- located at the south of the town at the junction of the Dromcollogher Road, there is a stone bridge which takes its name from being a famous last farewell point. Known locally as the Bridge of Sorrows or Tears, during the time of the famine, Emigrants from all over West Limerick said their last goodbyes before walking or taking a carriage to Cork and the boat to North America or further.

Barnagh Gap - About 7 kilometres west of the town is the scenic view point at Barnagh Gap, which provides a panoramic east facing view over County Limerick, West Tipperary/ Galtee Mountains and north County Cork. On a clear day North tipperary and Clare are also visible.