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Rock of Dunamase, Portlaoise

4.7
#1 of 15 in Things to do in Portlaoise
Must see · Geologic Formation · Nature / Park
Storm the castle at Rock of Dunamase, a fortress dating back to the 12th century and once pillaged by Vikings. The rock itself stands above a flat plain, which holds the castle ruins and offers picturesque views of the countryside. The structure has passed through many hands, including the Normans and local Irish lords, and local tradition says it was besieged and blown up by the Cromwellian generals in 1651. While there are no records of these events, it is probably the best explanation for the ruins you can explore today. Take care when navigating the castle, as some parts can be dangerous. Add Rock of Dunamase to your Portlaoise travel itinerary, and discover new vacation ideas by using our Portlaoise trip planning tool.
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Rock of Dunamase reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
479 reviews
Google
4.7
TripAdvisor
  • By Balheary1
    Beautiful scenery..i would not reccomend for people who cannot walk up steep hills and rocks..but worth a visit just to look at..and read about the history  more »
  • By jaydee1966
    Beautiful historic place. Stunning 360 degree views of the countryside. I would highly recommend visiting here.  more »
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Google
  • By Darek S
    Wonderful place! If you fond of old ruins rarely visited by people you will find the place lovely. You can almost hear the swords clashing and armors shattering. The description of the site is poor. Would come handy if someone would spare a coin to prepare a proper storyline or a larger history of the site.
  • By Brendan Fitzsimons
    Very nice site. Easy to get around but bring good footwear . Lots of paths but finished in loose stone and quiet steep in places. However still very interesting.
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