Explore one of Ireland’s most charming historic towns with the Abbeyleix Walking Tour Audio Guide

Explore one of Ireland’s most charming historic towns with the Abbeyleix Walking Tour Audio Guide

In the heart of the Irish midlands, Abbeyleix is perhaps the finest example of a planned estate town in the country and contains splendid Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architectural heritage. In 1995, it was designated as Ireland’s first Heritage Town. This Audio Guide will lead you around this historic and charming town, and provides information on the architecture, history and stories that helped to shape this wonderful place.

Abbeyleix stood on the main route between Dublin and Cork and as a result of its location it became a hub of transport, trade and industry throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.  Milling, brewing and carpet-making were amongst the industries which provided employment. Market fairs which brought in farmers from the surrounding countryside were held regularly.  When the M8 motorway was completed in 2010, traffic congestion through the town was greatly relieved. You can now take a relaxed stroll along the streets and appreciate the impressive heritage that Abbeyleix has to offer.

Our tour begins at the northern end of the town, at Heritage House, a handsome limestone building at the junction of the Portlaoise and Ballyroan Roads.

 Abbeyleix Walking Tour Audio Guide

Abbeyleix Walking Tour Audio Guide

Title: Abbeyleix Walking Tour Audio Guide

Duration: 41 mins.

Summary:

This audio guide is an Abarta Heritage Production on behalf of Laois County Council and Laois Tourism, with the kind support of Abbeyleix Heritage House. The guide was written by Dr. Conor Ryan, and narrated by Sharon Mannion. It was recorded in Bluebird Studios Kildare, with sound engineer Declan Lonergan and producer Róisín Burke.

This audio guide is also available on

Free to download and stream

Laois Monastic Trail 

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Rock of Dunamase

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

The Story of Portlaoise

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Laois Heritage Trail 

Audio Guide

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The Kildare Monastic Trail Audio Guide – an epic self-guided tour to discover round towers, high crosses and ancient monasteries.

The Kildare Monastic Trail Audio Guide – an epic self-guided tour to discover round towers, high crosses and ancient monasteries.

County Kildare is at the heart of the story of the dawn of Christianity in Ireland, and some of Ireland’s most famous saints like Brigid, Colmcille and Patrick have strong links with the county. On our tour we will discover the final resting place of Arthur Guinness, unlock the secrets of the spectacular High Crosses, and climb the steps of an ancient round tower. It all awaits you on the Kildare Monastic Trail!

The trail also provides an insight into development of Kildare’s towns. Six of the seven places on our trail were important settlements, that grew around ecclesiastical centres. They developed even further, when they were granted borough status following the arrival of the Normans. Three of these – Kildare, Clane and Castledermot – are still significant settlements to this day, while the other three – Moone, Old Kilcullen and Oughterard – faded back into the rural landscape and today only reveal hints of their former status.

Our audio guide will lead you to atmospheric ruins from the time of Ireland’s ancient saints and scholars, including:

 Kildare Monastic Trail Audio Guide

Kildare Monastic Trail Audio Guide

Title: Kildare Monastic Trail Audio Guide

Duration: 46 mins.

Summary:

This audio guide is an Abarta Heritage Production on behalf of  Kildare County Council. The guide was written by Conor Ryan and Neil Jackman, and it is narrated by Kildare actor Liam Quinlivan, with music by Enda Seery. This audio guide was recorded in Bluebird Studios with sound engineer Declan Lonergan and producer Róisín Burke in 2014.

This audio guide is also available on

Free to download and stream

The Story of County Kildare

Audiobook

Free to download and stream

The Curragh of Kildare

Audiobook

Free to download and stream

Mullamast – Story of a Medieval Village

Audiobook

Free to download and stream

Castletown House & Celbridge Heritage Trail

Audio Guide

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The Cloughjordan Heritage Trail Audio Guide will help you to discover this historic and charming Tipperary town

The Cloughjordan Heritage Trail Audio Guide will help you to discover this historic and charming Tipperary town

Located in a picturesque corner of North West Tipperary, Cloughjordan is surrounded by lush green pastureland and damp peat bogs. The area has attracted settlers as far back as the remote prehistoric past. On our journey along the Cloughjordan Heritage Trail, we’ll hear about archaeologists discovering traces of the Bronze Age at the village, and the remarkable golden treasure that was found nearby. We’ll hear tales of the Devil’s Bit, and how Cloughjordan was founded as a town during the medieval period. The lands of the area were granted to the de Mariscos, a powerful Anglo-Norman family. It is said that the name Cloughjordan derives from a crusading de Marisco, who returned to the growing town with a stone he had taken from the River Jordan.

We’ll discover how life changed during the turbulent 17th century, and we’ll also hear of Thomas MacDonagh would go on to become Cloughjordan’s most honoured native son. He was a loving father and husband, a teacher, a poet and one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising. Our tour will take us up to the Cloughjordan’s innovative EcoVillage and we’ll hear of life in the town today.

CLOUGHJORDAN HERITAGE TRAIL AUDIO GUIDE

CLOUGHJORDAN HERITAGE TRAIL AUDIO GUIDE

Title: Cloughjordan Heritage Trail Audio Guide

Duration: 45 mins.

Summary:

When you are finished your tour of Cloughjordan, please do visit the fantastic Thomas MacDonagh Museum. This audio guide is an Abarta Heritage Production on behalf of Cloughjordan Community Development Committee. The guide was written by Neil Jackman and Róisín Burke with the kind support of Tori McMorran. The guide is narrated by Niamh Shaw, with music by Enda Seery. This audio guide was recorded in Bluebird Studios with sound engineer Declan Lonergan and producer Róisín Burke in 2013.

This audio guide is also available on

Free to download and stream

Derrynaflan Trail

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Doneraile Park

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Laois Monastic Trail 

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Kilmallock Walking Tour

Audio Guide

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Join us on the Kells Heritage Trail Audio Guide to explore one of Ireland’s most historic towns

Join us on the Kells Heritage Trail Audio Guide to explore one of Ireland’s most historic towns

This self-guided tour of the charming historic town of Kells in County Meath will introduce you to Kells rich history and tell you the story of how it developed from an important monastic settlement founded by followers of St. Colmcille, and the place where the world famous Book of Kells was said to have been completed in the 9th century. On our walking tour we’ll hear about Viking raids, and we’ll decipher the stunning high crosses that are masterpieces of early medieval art. We’ll explore how Kells became a medieval market town for Norman settlers, how Charles Stewart Parnell gave a rousing speech in the town, and how Kells became the first place to brew lager in Ireland. This is the story of Kells, where history and heritage are part of modern daily life, and where you can find a story around every corner.

 Kells Heritage Trail Audio Guide

Kells Heritage Trail Audio Guide

Title: Kells Heritage Trail Audio Guide

Duration: 32 mins.

Summary:

When you’ve finished exploring Kells, we recommend taking a trip to the remarkable Spire of Lloyd just outside the town, or spend longer in the wonderfully historic Boyne Valley with our Discover Boyne Valley audio guide. This will take you on a trip to see other iconic sites in the region like Newgrange, the Hill of Tara and Trim Castle.

This audio guide is an Abarta Heritage Production on behalf of Kells Tourism Forum. The guide is narrated by Niamh Shaw and recorded in Bluebird Studios with sound engineer Declan Lonergan and producer Róisín Burke in 2013.

This audio guide is also available on

Free to download and stream

Boyne Valley

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Swords Heritage Trail

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

The Carlingford Heritage Trail

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Clondalkin Heritage Trail

Audio Guide

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Travel through Dublin’s history and archaeology with the Luas; Dublins Timeline Audiobook

Travel through Dublin’s history and archaeology with the Luas; Dublins Timeline Audiobook

The Luas is Dublin’s light-rail transit service. The development of the Luas network saw some of the biggest infrastructural developments of modern Dublin, and in a city as old as Dublin, wherever you dig you are likely to find echoes of the past. During the construction of the Luas lines, experienced teams of archaeologists kept a careful watch as they monitored the works, and identified and excavated any archaeological remains that were encountered.  Their meticulous records reveal a wealth of new information about Dublin’s history, and this audio book helps to tell the story of what was discovered, along with the history and stories from each of the stops.

Hear about Dublin’s early origins, its Viking past and life in Medieval Dublin. You’ll also hear tales of tragedy and poverty from Dublin’s tenements, and violence as the 1916 Easter Rising nearly tore the city apart.  You can also encounter some of Dublin’s characters and folk-tales such as Copper Face Jack or the notorious thief Scaldbrother.  This audio book is also packed with information about Dublin’s engineering and architecture, arts, culture and politics. You’ll find information about some of the most famous parts of the city, like St. Stephen’s Green, the Four Courts, Smithfield and more!

LUAS DUBLIN’S TIMELINE AUDIOBOOK

LUAS DUBLIN’S TIMELINE AUDIOBOOK

Title: Luas; Dublin’s Timeline Audiobook

Duration: 62 mins.

Summary:

This audio book is an Abarta Heritage Production on behalf of Transport Infrastructure Ireland. We are indebted to the teams of archaeologists who worked so diligently to uncover the story of Dublin during the construction of the Luas. The story was written by Neil Jackman, with the kind support of Emer Dennehy and Rónán Swan of Transport Infrastructure Ireland. It is narrated by Sharon Mannion and Gerry O’Brien and recorded in Bluebird Studios with sound engineer Declan Lonergan and producer Róisín Burke.

This audiobook is also available on

Free to download and stream

Bay Of Dundalk

Audiobook

Free to download and stream

Hidden Voices

Audiobook

Free to download and stream

Mullamast – Story of a Medieval Village

Audiobook

Free to download and stream

Meitheal – Early Medieval Ireland

Audiobook

The post Luas – Dublins Timeline Audiobook appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.

Join us on the Laois Monastic Trail Audio Guide to explore ancient monasteries, round towers and historic graveyards

Join us on the Laois Monastic Trail Audio Guide to explore ancient monasteries, round towers and historic graveyards

This audio guide will lead you around the beautiful landscape of County Laois to discover the remains of ancient churches and monasteries and to hear stories of saints and sinners at the dawn of Christianity in Ireland.

Christianity came to the area now known as County Laois some time in the 5th century. At that time, Laois was part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Ossory. Pioneering men like Canice, Fiacc, Colmán and Mochua, who were later canonised, founded establishments throughout County Laois  that went on on to become famed centres of worship and learning. The monasteries flourished throughout the centuries, though many suffered raids from warring Irish tribes and a number were plundered by the Vikings as they swept stealthily up the rivers Barrow and Nore in the 9th and 10th centuries.

Another group of invaders, the Normans, arrived in the late 12th century and they left a lasting legacy in County Laois.  Under their control, the changes in the early medieval church were accelerated, and the Irish Church began to move more in line with the church practices of the continent and Rome. The monasticism promoted by saints like Canice and Mochua gradually began to fade out. Under the patronage of powerful Norman Lords, continental orders like the Augustinians spread quickly, establishing monastic houses across the country.

This audio guide serves as an introduction to the heritage, stories, folklore and history of many of these great early medieval monasteries, we’ll explore some of the most atmospheric and iconic places like Aghaboe Abbey, the stunning Romanesque church at Killeshin and the iconic round tower at Timahoe.

LAOIS MONASTIC TRAIL AUDIO GUIDE

LAOIS MONASTIC TRAIL AUDIO GUIDE

Title: The Laois Monastic Trail Audio Guide

Duration: 67 mins.

Summary:

This audio guide is an Abarta Heritage Production on behalf of Laois County Council, Laois Partnership and Laois Tourism. The guide is narrated by Niamh Shaw and recorded in Bluebird Studios with sound engineer Declan Lonergan and producer Róisín Burke in 2015.

This audio guide is also available on

Free to download and stream

Abbeyleix Walking Tour

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Rock of Dunamase

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

The Story of Portlaoise

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Laois Heritage Trail 

Audio Guide

The post Laois Monastic Trail Audio Guide appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.

The Bruff Heritage Trail Audio Guide will help you to discover the ancestral home of one of America’s most famous dynasties.

The Bruff Heritage Trail Audio Guide will help you to discover the ancestral home of one of America’s most famous dynasties.

Join us on a self guided tour through the peaceful rural town of Bruff which is located in the heart of the Golden Vale of Munster in County Limerick. The town is full of fascinating historical buildings and features, and it is rich in local heritage and culture, contributing significantly to the story of Ireland. Bruff is also famed for its contribution to the history of the United States of America, as this is the ancestral home of one of America’s most famous dynasties – the Fitzgerald Kennedys.

Our guide leads you through the streets of the town and includes information on:

There are so many stories here in Bruff, so please join us on our tour through time in this charming and historic Limerick town!

BRUFF HERITAGE TRAIL AUDIO GUIDE

BRUFF HERITAGE TRAIL AUDIO GUIDE

Title: Bruff Heritage Trail Audio Guide

Duration: 35 mins.

Summary:

This audio guide is an Abarta Heritage Production on behalf of Bruff Heritage Group and supported by Ballyhoura Development CLG as part of the Rural Development Programme. The guide was recorded in Bluebird Studios with sound engineer Declan Lonergan and producer Róisín Burke.

This audio guide is also available on

Free to download and stream

Kilmallock Walking Tour

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Doneraile Park

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Buttevant Heritage Trail

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Cloughjordan Heritage Trail

Audio Guide

The post Bruff Heritage Trail Audio Guide appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.

The Derrynaflan Trail Audio Guide is a self guided tour to explore some of Tipperary’s finest treasures.

The Derrynaflan Trail Audio Guide is a self guided tour to explore some of Tipperary’s finest treasures.

Explore truly remarkable historic treasures in Tipperary like Holycross Abbey, Kilcooley Abbey, Liathmore and Derrynaflan with this free self guided tour.  The audio guide will lead you around the beautiful landscape of the Slieve Ardagh region in County Tipperary, and through thousands of years of history by following in the footsteps of some of the first Christians in Ireland.

The remains of these wonderfully atmospheric and evocative sites have suffered Viking raids, the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII, and withstood the ravages of time and they still have a great story to tell! On our journey we’ll hear tales of saints and sinners, Viking battles, Norman warlords and powerful nobles. We’ll see the foundations of a long fallen round tower and visit a Sheelagh-na-gig, before discovering breathtaking sculpture at Kilcooley and soaking in the medieval atmosphere of the beautifully restored Holycross Abbey. We’ll also travel to the famous Gobán Saor’s island to discover the treasure that awaits!

DERRYNAFLAN TRAIL AUDIO GUIDE

DERRYNAFLAN TRAIL AUDIO GUIDE

Title: Derrynaflan Trail Audio Guide

Duration: 56 mins.

Summary:

This audio guide is an Abarta Heritage Production. It was produced on behalf of Slieveardagh Rural Development, Holycross Community Network and Littleton Development Association, with support from Tipperary Tourism and by funding received from South Tipperary Development Company, The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the EU under the Rural Development Programme 2007–2013.

The guide is narrated by Niamh Shaw and recorded in Bluebird Studios with sound engineer Declan Lonergan and producer Róisín Burke in 2013.

This audio guide is also available on

Free to download and stream

Boyne Valley

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Cloughjordan Heritage Trail

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Kildare Monastic Trail

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

The Ellen Hutchins Trail

Audio Guide

The post Derrynaflan Trail Audio Guide appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.

Explore this historic Midlands town with the Edenderry Heritage Trail Audio Guide

Explore this historic Midlands town with the Edenderry Heritage Trail Audio Guide

This audio guide will help you to explore this historic midlands town. Edenderry lies at the edge of the Bog of Allen in the Irish midlands, close to where County Offaly meets the borders of counties Kildare and Meath. This vast, flat landscape of peatland is dotted with low hills. One of these hills, known in Irish as Éadan Doire, meaning the ‘Brow of the Oak Wood’ gave Edenderry its name. The hill was a strategic location throughout its history, and in the medieval period it was fortified by Blundell Castle, whose ruins still overlook the town. This was one of several hilltop castles and fortifications built to control the countryside of eastern Offaly and northern Kildare. Later, the landmark hill was the scene of an infamous event in the town’s history; the execution of two men following the 1798 rebellion. The Blundells were just one of many families who left their mark on Edenderry over the centuries. The O’Connors, de Berminghams and Colleys were other noble dynasties that feature in the story of the town. It was the Downshires, however, who were responsible for the creation of modern Edenderry.

Together we will explore the town, and see the sights including the Market Square, the Quaker Meeting House, Blundell Castle and the Grand Canal Harbour, before hearing the story of the atmospheric ruins at Monasteroris Franciscan Friary, where we’ll hear of one of the most infamous events in medieval Irish history – a tale that would make Game of Thrones’ Red Wedding seem like a nice tea party.

EDENDERRY HERITAGE TRAIL AUDIO GUIDE

EDENDERRY HERITAGE TRAIL AUDIO GUIDE

Title: Edenderry Heritage Trail Audio Guide

Duration: 44 mins.

Summary:

This audio guide is an Abarta Heritage Production on behalf of Edenderry Historical Society, Edenderry Tidy Towns and Edenderry Lions Club and was funded by the Heritage Council. The guide was written by Dr. Conor Ryan and edited by Neil Jackman with the kind support of Ciarán Reilly. This audio guide is narrated by Gerry O’Brien and recorded in Bluebird Studios with sound engineer Declan Lonergan and producer Róisín Burke.

This audio guide is also available on

Free to download and stream

Cloughjordan Heritage Trail

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Rathangan

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Kilcormac

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Portarlington Walking Tour

Audio Guide

The post Edenderry Heritage Trail Audio Guide appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.

The Portlaoise Audio Guide will lead you on a walking tour to explore the storied streets of this influential Laois town.

The Portlaoise Audio Guide will lead you on a walking tour to explore the storied streets of this influential Laois town

This Audio Guide will lead you through the streets of this influential Laois town.  Discover the origins of Portlaoise as a ‘Plantation Town’ during the Tudor Period, when it was known as Maryborough after Queen Mary. This was a turbulent period, and the new town had to be defended with the establishment of Fort Protector to shelter the English settlers from the powerful O’Moores that had been displaced by their arrival. Portlaoise is sheltered by the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the west, with the Great Heath spreading outwards to the east of the town. As one of the major towns of Ireland, Portlaoise has long been a major commercial and retail hub for the Midlands.

Our tour will help you to travel through time, to hear about how Portlaoise developed to become one of Ireland’s most important towns and the individual lives that influenced its story. Figures like the Irish patriot James Fintan Lalor, the ‘Father of the Irish Railways’ William Dargan and the infamous highwayman Grant the Robber. Portlaoise has many hidden gems and stories to discover. This Audio Guide includes places like the Market Square, the historic Old St. Peter’s Church, the Ridge Graveyard, the Courthouse and more.

PORTLAOISE AUDIO GUIDE

PORTLAOISE AUDIO GUIDE

Title: The Story of Portlaoise Audio Guide

Duration: 64 mins.

Summary:

This audio guide is an Abarta Heritage Production on behalf of Laois County Council, Laois Partnership and Laois Tourism and was part funded by Laois Partnership through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

This audio guide is narrated by Simon O’Gorman and recorded in Bluebird Studios with sound engineer Declan Lonergan and producer Róisín Burke.

This audio guide is also available on

Free to download and stream

Abbeyleix Walking Tour

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Laois Monastic Trail 

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Rock of Dunamase

Audio Guide

Free to download and stream

Laois Heritage Trail 

Audio Guide

The post Story of Portlaoise Audio Guide appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.