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AUGHRIM |
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Tiny AUGHRIM , fourteen miles from Loughrea and just short of
Ballinasloe, makes a good base from which to explore some of the
ecclesiastical remains of the area. In 1691, Aughrim was the scene of a
key battle in the Williamite Wars in which the Irish and French forces
were defeated. The Battle of Aughrim Interpretive Centre (Easter-Oct
daily 10am-6pm) explains the battle's significance and places the
Williamite Wars in the context of seventeeth-century European power
struggles. Hynes hostel (tel 0905/73734; £26-33/¬33.01-41.90) which has
adequate, small dorm rooms also does camping and is attached to the
local pub, which has music at weekends during the summer. It's advisable
to book ahead in July and August and also during Ballinasloe's horse
fair . The other reason for stopping here is to visit the excellent Old
Schoolhouse Restaurant , on the other side of the Dublin Road from the
village, its adventurous menu featuring such delicacies as tournedos of
ostrich with a shallot confit and port and dry plum juice.
Four miles to the northwest lie the very beautiful remains of Kilconnell
Friary , a Franciscan foundation built near the site of the sixth-century
church of St Conall, which gives the place its name. The friary held out
successfully against Cromwellian attack in 1651. The ruins are extensive,
with additions to the early fourteenth-century building showing that
there was increased monastic activity in the later Middle Ages. There's
a very pretty arcaded cloister, and in the north wall of the nave are
two splendid canopied wall-tombs.
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