St George's Heritage Centre

The Midlands


Up the hill in a restored 1827-built church, this heritage centre looks at the history and landscape of Leitrim from old Gaelic traditions through to Plantation times. Bronze plaques lead 800m northeast to the old Famine workhouse, which remains a bleak memorial to desperate times, as well as the Famine Garden of Remembrance; both are visitable by guided tours arranged in advance.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Midlands attractions

1. Costello Memorial Chapel

0.11 MILES

Measuring just 5m by 3.6m, Ireland's smallest chapel was built in 1877 by Edward Costello, distraught at the early death of his wife, Mary. Both husband…

2. Lough Key Forest Park

6.29 MILES

Sprinkled with small islands, the 350-hectare Lough Key Forest Park, 4km east of Boyle, shelters picturesque ruins including a 12th-century abbey on tiny…

3. Elphin Windmill

7.99 MILES

This charming little whitewashed 18th-century windmill was abandoned in 1837 and repaired in the 1990s, and is now the oldest restored operational…

4. Boyle Abbey

8.47 MILES

On the banks of the River Boyle is the finely preserved (and reputedly haunted) Boyle Abbey. Founded in 1161 by monks from Mellifont in County Louth, the…

5. King House Historic & Cultural Centre

8.63 MILES

Sinister-looking mannequins tell the turbulent history of the Connacht kings, the town of Boyle and the King family, including a grim tale of tenant…

6. Arigna Mining Experience

9.09 MILES

Ireland's first and last coal mine (1600s to 1990) is remembered at the Arigna Mining Experience, set in the hills above Lough Allen, 23km northeast of…

7. Drumanone Dolmen

10.78 MILES

Constructed before 2000 BC, this striking portal dolmen is one of Ireland's largest, measuring 4.5m by 3.3m. To reach it from Boyle's town centre, follow…

8. Irish National Famine Museum

11.69 MILES

In direct and deliberate contrast to the splendour of Strokestown Park is the harrowing Irish National Famine Museum, located in the Stables Yard of the…