Rathcroghan
Bringing Ireland’s Past and Legends to Life
Rathcroghan, Cruachan Aí, is known as the Ancient Capital of Connacht, where the festival of Samhain (Halloween) is said to originate. This majestic landscape is the oldest and largest unexcavated Royal Site in Europe. Experience Rathcroghan’s rich archaeology, mythology and history through our interpretive rooms and expertly guided tours. The Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, the home of our museum, is located in the medieval village of Tulsk, Co. Roscommon.
Tours & Events
Rathcroghan Guided Archaeological Tour
All year round • 2.5 hours • Great for all ages
Rathcroghan Museum Admission
All ages welcome • Visit us between 09:15-16:30 • Immerse yourself in history
Primary Schools Tour
Social • Environmental • Scientific Education (SESE) curriculum
Secondary Schools Tour
Rathcroghan museum tour • 1 hour duration • Curricular goals catered for
Educational Field Trips
Rathcroghan museum tour • 1 hour duration • Curricular goals catered for
Visitor Reviews
EXCELLENTVerified Highly recommend Guide was both informative and entertaining. Trip was a fascinating experience of history and legend. Made me want to learn more about both.Posted onVerified Don't forget your wellies ! (Little) Mike met us in the visitors centre & then off we went to the mini bus (don't expect a luxury coach !) We went first to the mound of the kings and Mike proceeded to give us a very comprehensive talk on the history and myths around it, we were all enthralled ! Then back down to the mini bus and off to the cave of cats, also known as the Irish gates of hell. I have admit that I didn't go down in to it, I'm a bit claustrophobic, but my daughter did and said it was amazing. Then we returned back to the visitors centre & gift shop. There's a lovely looking cafe there but we weren't hungry so I can't confirm that the food tasted as good as it smelt.It was so nice not being pressured into buying anything and the staff in the shop were lovely. All in all a very pleasant and informative couple of hours. Don't forget your wellies !Posted onVerified Place of history, myth and legend. This visit was on my To Do list for a long time, so finally got to do it with family who were visiting from US. We all really enjoyed it and learned so much. Elaine our guide was excellent. We were amazed with the amount of complicated information she was able to deliver and her sense of humour and funny remarks helped to lighten the experience. I would highly recommend a visit to this more than important site of history and legend. (The shop and cafe are good too). Well done Rathcroghan.Posted onVerified Perfect day out! Would 100% recommend the tour of rathcrogan. My family and I did the tour on the 10th of Sepetember 2025 and our guide Daniel was an absolute wealth of knowledge and made the historical sites really engaging and interesting. A really pleasant way to spend an afternoonPosted onVerified If Irish prehistory, myths, legends, archaeology are your thing - do this tour! If Irish prehistory, myths, legends, archaeology are your thing - you must do this tour! Elaine, our tour guide - on a wet and windy Monday afternoon! - was full of passion, shared her knowledge and enthusiasm for this remarkable area and of the on-going exploration of these fascinating Royal sites. Although inside of the cave (Cave of the Cats) was not accessible, some of us were still able to crouch down through the very narrow opening to see with our own eyes, the Ogham inscriptions on the entrance lintel. Fascinating! Be prepared for some walking on uneven ground so suitable footwear and of course - wet weather gear too! The guided tour is by a mini-bus and lasts for about 2-2.5 hours starting and finishing at the Visitor Centre.And don't forget to have a good look at the museum and gift shop too!Posted onVerified Surprised us with how much is inside! Loved this little visitor centre! The way history is explained and shown is very good! Definitely worth a stop to explore if passing this way.Posted onVerified Highly recommend the amazing guide tour From my first email months ago seeking information, to the staff letting us stash our bag (we were traveling without a car), to the detailed museum display, and finally, to the amazing tour by Michael, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Visiting the site with the guide is a must, and entirely worth the reasonable fee. His insights on the landscape, history, archaeology, and mythology made the site come alive in a way that I don't think would ever be the same self-guided. He gave extra care to ensure that the "two Canadians" didn't feel left out of some of the references to Irish culture. Greatly appreciate the work being done by these folks to preserve and share this incredible place.Posted onVerified Well worth a visit! An interesting museum and an excellent tour. Our guide brought the whole story alive for us with his enthusiasm. Well worth a visit!Posted onVerified Dad and two teens do the midday Rathcroghan tour. Hi, myself and my two younger teenage children had an amazing afternoon at Rathcroghan. I would definitely go back. We were lucky we got some great weather but even luckier we had the amazing Daniel guiding our tour. His insight and knowledge is astounding and we thoroughly enjoyed his discourse which covered Science Fact, and interwoven brilliantly with our Celtic Mythology! The tour scratches the surface of this amazing space so I was sure to pick up Daniels book at the lovely museum and visitors centre as well as a nice slice of cake and a great coffee. I really recommend a visit and plan on returning for the Samhain tour!Bring suncream. And wear old clothes of you intend on going into Owengat. Also, appropriate footwear is helpful as you are going to do some light walking in a field or 2. 10/10Posted onVerified Magical and unforgettable Rathcroghan We re just back from an excellent trip to Rathcroghan. Mike was a brilliant tour guide and was so kind and inclusive of the children. He's so knowledgeable about the extraordinary historical site and gives everything to the tour. The history is so fascinating and left us with a lot to think and talk about on the way home. A good tip is to visit the museum first...the films are excellent. Everyone should visit Rathcroghan ....its part of our heritage and who we are.
