Lough Gur 9000 years of life

Lough Gur is a site of international significance due to the area's rich archaeology and environment. Lough Gur is home to Ireland's oldest and largest stone circle and only natural lake of significance in South East Limerick. Lough Gur also has an abundance of ancient monuments in State care with a reported 2,000 archaeological monuments in a 5km radius. Visitors to Lough Gur Lakeshore Park will find a hillside visitor centre where you can take part in a guided or self-guided tour of the exhibition. There is also an option to take a full outdoor guided tour of the archaeological monuments. Tours are tailor-made and can range from 30 minutes to 3 hours. A local community group, Lough Gur Development Group, runs the Lakeshore Park and tours. Lough Gur is located in the South East of Ireland within the Ballyhoura region. Visitors enjoy the rural unspoilt beauty that is easily accessible 21km’s from Limerick City. The area of Lough Gur is part of Wild Atlantic Way Region, Munster Vales and is also an accredited Discover Primary Science and Maths Centre through Science Foundation Ireland.

Visit the Great Grange Stone Circle Grange Stone Circle is the largest standing stone circle in Ireland, 45 meters in diameter, enclosed by 113 standing stones. It is located 4kms from Lough Gur Visitor Centre. The largest stone in the circle is Rannach Chruim Duibh (Crom Dubh’s Division), is over 13 feet high, and weighs 40 tons. The entrance stones are matched by a pair of equally impressive slabs on the southwest side, whose tops slope down towards each other to form a V-shape. It is one of the finest examples of a stone circle in Ireland and is believed to have been a place for ceremonial worship.

Take a Tour of the Exhibiton Visitors to Lough Gur Visitor Centre can find out about the rich heritage of Lough Gur by visiting the interactive multimedia exhibition that brings to life over 9,000 years of archaeology and history. The exhibition is suitable for all ages and brings the visitor on a journey through the history of Lough Gur starting during the Mesolithic Era, and

< Aerial view of Lough Gur lakefront

< Guided Tour of Lough Gur Visitor Centre Interactve multmedia exhibiton

< Visitors at Lough Gur Viewing Point progressing until the 19th century. Visitors to the Centre have an opportunity to actively engage with the exhibition and can play a role in forming their individual experience at the centre by choosing which interactive elements to investigate, either on their own or with their family/friends. Lough Gur Visitor Centre Admission: €5 Adult €4 Student and Senior Citizen €3 Child (7-16) €15 for a family of 2 adults & up to 3 children

Lough Gur Development Group Lough Gur Development is a non-profit community organisation that was founded in 1969 and officially inaugurated in 1993 to promote, preserve and protect the history, archaeology, folklore and environment of the surrounding area. The company structure includes a voluntary Chairperson and board members. They are supported by a manager and a team of staff. The group operate Lough Gur Heritage Centre, Honey Fitz Theatre, festivals and events. Sub-groups including the Lough Gur Science Group include a number of voluntary members and associated organisations. Local volunteers help throughout the year at various events and offer their time to assist in the Heritage Centre. Getng Here: Lough Gur Lakeshore Park & Visitor Centre Lakefront, Lough Gur, County Limerick, V35 ED 96. Website: https://loughgur.com/ https://heritageireland.ie/places-tovisit/lough-gur/