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Brian Boru Locations to Visit
Follow in the footsteps of the Last Great High King of Ireland, Brian Boru
Discover locations throughout Ireland where Brian Boru would have visited over 1000 years ago and visit the buildings and monuments associated with him.
Brian was born and spent most of his life in his beloved Killaloe in the County of Clare. See the wonderful monasteries of Ireland that Brian Boru would have visited as a young man.
Take a boat trip and tour around the islands of Clonmacnoise and Innisfallen where he would have studied and visit the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary where he was crowned and ruled as High King of Ireland.
Tour around Dublin and visit the location of the battle of Clontarf where he led his troops into that famous battle on Good Friday morning in 1014. To end your journey visit the final resting place, St. Patricks Cathedral in the Armagh where Brian Boru (Bryan Boru) is buried.
Béal Boru
Béal Boru (Real Boru) or Brian Ború’s Fort lies outside the town of Killaloe on the road to Scariff in County Clare. Archaeological excavaitons have shown that the fort was a simple homestead (a ring fort) which was occupied in the 10th and 11th centuries. It was originally the site of an Iron Age Ring Fort at the head of Lough Derg....read more
Inis Cealtra
Brian Boru’s brother, Macran was Abbot of Holy Island and Bishop of Killaloe, he died in 1009. Brian rebuilt the monastery after such attacks during the time his brother was Abbot....read more
St. Luas Oratory
Situated on the grounds of Killaloe Catholic Church stands St Lua’s Oratory. The Oratory dates back to the time of Brian Boru, who’s millennium anniversary occurs next year, 2013 but the Oratory still stands today....read more
Scattery Island
Scattery Island is located off the coast of Kilrush in County Clare. There are ruins of six churches and one of the highest Round Towers in Ireland at 120 feet high. At ground level, it has the rare feature of a door. Scattery Island Monastery was where King Ivar of Limerick was slain by Brian Boru, King of Munster at the time, in single combat in the year 978....read more
Kincora Palace Site
Kincora Palace (Ceann Coradh) was situated on one of Killaloe’s highest points is now occupied by the Catholic Church. It is said that the Palace was built as a defence against the Norse in the early 9th century but it is most famous for being the stronghold of the High King of Ireland, Brian Boru during his reign. Therefore during his reign from 1002 – 1014, Killaloe was effectively the capital of Ireland in the 10th and early 11th century. ...read more
St. Flannan's Cathedral & Oratory
St. Flannan's Cathedral & Oratory, often referred to as “Brian Boru’s Vault” was named after the first bishop of Killaloe in 639, Saint Flannan. The Cathedral dating back to the 13th century in the early 1200 was built of yellow and purple sandstone. The first monastery was founded on this site by St. Molua but Donal Mór O’Brien erected the first cathedral, which was destroyed by Cathal Carrach of Connaught in 1185....read more
O'Grady Castle
The Castle was built in c 1500 by the O’Grady family, to protect the adjacent St. Cronan’s church. In the era of Brian Boru, Tuamgraney, this stunning panoramic part of Clare was a major religious centre of learning. According to ancient records, Brian returned to O’Grady Castle in Tuamgraney in 1012 to worship and repair the bell tower (cloigteach) of the monastery. This castle has a recorded historical association with him....read more
St. Cronan's Church
St. Cronans Church in Tuamgraney,founded in the 10th century by St. Cronan is believed to be one of the oldest churches in use in Ireland today and is one of Irelands most historical buildings. It has close links to Brian Boru who was believed to have regularly visited the Church since his childhood. Apparently he is also believed to have repaired the building over 1000 years ago during the time his brother Marcan was Abbot of Tuamgraney. ...read more
Killaloe Bridge
Killaloe Bridge was for many years the only dry crossing over Lough Derg stretching over to Ballina. There may have been many other crossings during the time of Brian Boru, such as one near Béal Boru fort to the north and another, a distance down stream. The earliest recording of the bridge dates back to 1013, the time of Brian Boru. ...read more
O'Briens Tower - Cliffs of Moher
Built in 1835 by Cornelius O’Brien a descendant of the Great High King Brian Boru, as an observation point for tourists who even back at that time, visited the Cliffs of Moher. The grand tower today stands proudly overlooking the Cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean....read more
Brian Boru Heritage Centre
Brian Boru Heritage Centre is located in the heart of the picturesque town of Killaloe, next to the bridge where the river flow out to Lough Derg. Brian Boru (Bryan Boru) the most powerful and influential High King of Ireland, who drove the Vikings out of Ireland over a millennium ago, was born here....read more
Clonmacnoise
Situated in County Offaly on the River Shannon is the historic monastery of Clonmacnoise (Meadow of the Sons of Nós). The monastery was founded by Saint Ciarán, the first abbot of Clonmacnoise in c 548 but most of the buildings which were made of wood date back to 900 – 1200 and have not survived time. From the 10th century onwards they were built of stone, these are the remnants of the building you can see today. ...read more
Innisfallen Island
Situated in the Heart of Killarney on Lough Leane, one of the Lakes of Killarney, Innisfallen Island is accredited to a monastery founded on the island in the 7th century by Saint Finian the leper. It is taught the name Lough Leane is accredited to the Island as it means the Lake of Learning. ...read more
The Rock of Cashel
Situated in the heart of Cashel in County Tipperary is the Rock of Cashel The name Rock of Cashel comes from the irish meaning Caiseal which stands for Stong Fort, to which it has been in use since the fourth century. Because of its height and the fact that the surrounding land of Tipperary can be seen for miles, made it an ideal fortress to defend against its enemies....read more
The Site of the Battle of Clontarf
The famous Battle of Clontarf took place on Good Friday, 1014. Recorded as “the battle of the fishing weir of Clontarf” the exact site is thought to be at the weir at the mouth of the River Tolka where Ballybough Bridge now sits....read more
Swords Abbey
This beautiful church and round tower is where Brian Boru and his son Murrough were brought on their way to their final resting place in Armagh. Just hours after their deaths ...read more
Glasnevin Museum and Cemetery
Today Glasnevin Museum and Cemetery are on Finglas Road south of the Tolka River, and there are those who believe that somewhere in this park is the very site where Brian Boru himself was ...read more
Trinity College Dublin
Currently on display in Trinity College Dublin, is a harp that was made in 1220 for Donnchadh Cairbre O'Brien, King of Thomond. Donnchadh had transferred his capital of Thomond ...read more
Armagh County Museum
Set in a stunning Georgian building the Armagh County Museum, part of the National Museums of Northern Ireland, is the oldest county museum in Ireland located near Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. ...read more
Armagh Public Library
Founded in 1771 by Archbishop Richard Robinson, Armagh Public Library is one of the oldest libraries in Northern Ireland and is an astonishing place to visit. Located close to St Patricks Cathedral, the building was designed by Thomas Cooley....read more
The Hill of Tara
The Hill of Tara, also known as the Seat of the High Kings of Ireland, was the Coronation place of the Pre-Christian kings, is one of the most important centres of Irish Culture in Ireland together with The Rock of Cashel and Saint Patricks Cathedral, Armagh. Containing a number of ancient memorials, The Hill of Tara (Cnoc na Teamhrach) is an archaeological complex located near the River Boyne running between Navan and Dunshaughlinin in County Meath....read more
Saint Patricks Cathedral - Armagh
Saint Patricks Cathedral is situated on top of a hill above the city, this is where the city get’s its name, it is derived from the Gaelic word, Ard Mhacha, the height of Macha, referring to the mythical Queen Mhacha, it is said she built Navan Fort (Emain Macha) to the west of Armagh Town, Navan was once the ancient seat of the Kings of Ireland. Historically County Armagh was the religious capital of Ireland for 1,500 years....read more
Call us now to talk through your vacation options!
- USA & Canada Toll-Free
1877 298 7205 - UK FreeFone
0800 096 9438 - International
+353 69 77686
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