Aghadoe Church and Round Tower
Aghadoe Church and Round Tower
Aghadoe Church and Round Tower
4.5
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The ruins of this 12th-century church sit atop a hill surrounded by beautiful scenic landscape.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
51 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
19
Average
5
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0
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0
nmaca1
Dublin, Ireland18 contributions
Aug 2020
Graveyards are always fascinating... who was " Joe Bogs who lived so long/ so short a life?"
So, by their nature evocative and a friendly reminder of our own mortality.
Aghadoe church and the remains of the round tower " watch over " the final resting place of many of my relatives and a more beautiful final resting place you could not hope for! Quietly in the hills in Aghadoe, overlooking Lough Léin and Ross Island ( with castle) all against he backdrop of " The Reeks" Ireland's tallest mountains, which by international standards , may be small but heir beauty outweighs their size! a wonderful, place of peace. I know I'll probably have the usual limitation of " when did you visit?" ....as if this were place to visit only once, even without my family being interred there!
So, by their nature evocative and a friendly reminder of our own mortality.
Aghadoe church and the remains of the round tower " watch over " the final resting place of many of my relatives and a more beautiful final resting place you could not hope for! Quietly in the hills in Aghadoe, overlooking Lough Léin and Ross Island ( with castle) all against he backdrop of " The Reeks" Ireland's tallest mountains, which by international standards , may be small but heir beauty outweighs their size! a wonderful, place of peace. I know I'll probably have the usual limitation of " when did you visit?" ....as if this were place to visit only once, even without my family being interred there!
Written 25 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim S
Limerick, Ireland259 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Some unique carvings and an ogham stone. A castle ruins nearby and a round tower ruin on site. Some car parking available and walking distance from hotel and public car park on main road. Very nice to have visited.
Written 19 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EgyptianGoddess
Alexandria, Egypt1,014 contributions
Going up here is well worth it just for the excellent view alone!. The site is just in front of the Aghadoe Heights Hotel. A carpark is available just before the hotel.
From the car park - walk directly forward across the field towards the fence. The view in this spot is magnificent - looking across at Muckross and Ross Castle with all the lakes laid out before you. The view from Ladies View is nice - but the view from this spot just takes your breath away. People staying in the hotel (that ain't too pretty from the outside) must wake up to fantastic views everyday!
After you have gazed across the lakes - turn to the left and walk towards the ruined Tower. This is all that remains of the Castle - one storey of a 13th century ruined tower.
From here, carry on again to the left and you will pop out on the road adjoining the churchyard. There is a style in the wall that allows entry.
The ruined chapel has some amazing features. The Romanesque doorway is amazing and quite well preserved. Also hidden amongthe ruins are an Ogham stone (located on top of a 4 foot wall lying down) and a crucifixion scene is carved onto another sandstone block just to the left. There are lots of other small features worth looking for in the church - the two carved faces on the East Window and a nearby Bullaun Stone on the floor.
Little remains of the round Tower - and this is probably best seen from the road as you head back to the car park.
From the car park - walk directly forward across the field towards the fence. The view in this spot is magnificent - looking across at Muckross and Ross Castle with all the lakes laid out before you. The view from Ladies View is nice - but the view from this spot just takes your breath away. People staying in the hotel (that ain't too pretty from the outside) must wake up to fantastic views everyday!
After you have gazed across the lakes - turn to the left and walk towards the ruined Tower. This is all that remains of the Castle - one storey of a 13th century ruined tower.
From here, carry on again to the left and you will pop out on the road adjoining the churchyard. There is a style in the wall that allows entry.
The ruined chapel has some amazing features. The Romanesque doorway is amazing and quite well preserved. Also hidden amongthe ruins are an Ogham stone (located on top of a 4 foot wall lying down) and a crucifixion scene is carved onto another sandstone block just to the left. There are lots of other small features worth looking for in the church - the two carved faces on the East Window and a nearby Bullaun Stone on the floor.
Little remains of the round Tower - and this is probably best seen from the road as you head back to the car park.
Written 12 November 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sassafras G
Baltimore, MD76 contributions
Aug 2019
I almost didn't want to review this because I would love to keep this spot for my own for ever. It was so beautiful and serene. This site over looks Loch Leane. We were able to catch a glimpse of Ross Castle and a few islands. The church is in ruins but what is left is intriguing and has some great detail. There are fantastic iron grave markers and intricate designs on some of the stones. We spent about an hour here look at and reading the stones and just wandering around.
The main gate was chained and we entered in through a cattle gate so unless the main gate is open I did not see a way for wheel chair access. There were no facilities on site.
If cemeteries, ruins and history are your thing- come here.
The main gate was chained and we entered in through a cattle gate so unless the main gate is open I did not see a way for wheel chair access. There were no facilities on site.
If cemeteries, ruins and history are your thing- come here.
Written 6 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TdiddyMcDaddy
Summit, MS45 contributions
May 2017
I woke up early in Aghadoe View B&B (highly recommend) and went for a walk. I looked around the church and cemetery and noticed the sign describing the site. I took another look just as the sun was rising at 6:15 and made a beautiful discovery! The resurrection carvings were perfectly placed so the sunrise through the east wall windows shines directly on it. I was alone but was able to take one pic before a cloud rolled in. I felt a connection to those who witnessed this hundreds of years ago every Sunday morning. A very special moment on an amazing tour of Ireland.
Written 29 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TWRyan.
County Wicklow, Ireland216 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
Drove up to this spot, located in front of the Aghadoe heights hotel. The view is magnificent. Your camera will need a good lens to do it justice; this is a great spot to see the lakes and surrounding areas.
A wander through the graveyard, the picturesque church and the round tower are a must just to enhance the view. Don’t go there if it is dull or misty save it for bright light.
A wander through the graveyard, the picturesque church and the round tower are a must just to enhance the view. Don’t go there if it is dull or misty save it for bright light.
Written 11 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mat Nichol
Hamburg, Germany253 contributions
What a great view and so easy to do. Luckily we were staying about 5 minutes from here.
Written 6 January 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
castlesjohn65
Port Elgin, Canada66 contributions
Aug 2019
Great cemetery if that’s your thing. Its mine love the history. But this cemetery has unspoilt views of Ross Castle and the mountains and lakes Opposite the hotel which is across the road from the cemetery is a viewing area and it’s incredible. Just phenomenal views. Must see. Old church in cemetery so whole place is interesting Viewing area is made for purpose and once again free parking beside hotel
Written 21 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
48stever
Wilmington, NC183 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
This was one of the most interesting cemeteries we have ever visited. The ruins have some real history but the highlight, at the adjacent cemetery, was the amazing memorials to families of three travelers who were all killed in an automobile accident about 20 years ago. Huge monuments with marble floors and incredible detail about the families..i
Written 29 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martha O
23 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
We found this just by chance, as our guesthouse was right down the road and our hostess mentioned it in passing. We took the wrong turn out of the house one day and there it was!
The views was gorgeous, of course, but it's also just a lovely place to see. Reading the tombstones gives you such incredible insights into Irish culture and seeing the old Cathedral was very moving (since the British tried to crush Catholicism in Ireland after the Reformation).
We met a local older gentlemen walking with his dog who talked to us all about the cemetery and Killarney in general. Really wonderful place to wander for a bit.
The views was gorgeous, of course, but it's also just a lovely place to see. Reading the tombstones gives you such incredible insights into Irish culture and seeing the old Cathedral was very moving (since the British tried to crush Catholicism in Ireland after the Reformation).
We met a local older gentlemen walking with his dog who talked to us all about the cemetery and Killarney in general. Really wonderful place to wander for a bit.
Written 13 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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