Battle of Aughrim Visitor Centre:

Battle of Aughrim Visitor Centre

The Battle of Aughrim Visitor Centre is re-opening for the summer months and are eagerly anticipating the return of visitors after the last two years.
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Since the centre last opened its doors significant refurbishment has been carried out by Galway County Council. A redesigned layout, improved information boards, and dozens of new props and displays will be available to visitors to view until September.

A new Education Zone has been created which is specifically aimed at school children. School visits will also be able to avail of the new activity pack which was produced by Dr Padraig Lenihan of NUIG. There is also a scenario game produced by Dr. Lenihan and Michael Riddell which allows visitors to act as a general and command soldiers on a map of the battlefield.

Visitors will now be able to see what a soldier in 1691 would have carried in his pack, see a surgeon's kit in all its gory detail, and admire the new sets, costumes, and props from the era.

This year’s marquee event for the centre will be Heritage Week which will take place in August. Many special events are being planned including a Walk About and Talk About with local group Cath Eachroma 1691. The group also produced a short photo booklet last year titled "Where Musket Balls Are Buried" which allows readers a birds eye view of the battlefield, along with detailed information about key sites. The booklets are available in Valerie's and Burke's shop in Aughrim village, or by messaging the group on either Facebook or Twitter.

A new app has been produced that allows people to get a virtually guided walking tour of the Aughrim battlefield. “Aughrim Tours Galway” was produced for the Aughrim Community Development Company. The app contains two tours. The first around the Aughrim Battle Site and introduces the armies and strategies that were deployed in the Battle. The second tour centres  around the  Village it’s unique history and many colourful characters.

The free app is designed so that a virtual tour guide will follow you on your journey and plays audio messages at each historical landmark throughout .The tour lasts  approximately 2 and a half hours and gives you a great insight into one of the bloodiest battles in Irish History. The app is available to download for free on all Android devices through the Google Play Store.

Seasonal opening of the Centre is from end of May to 4th September with opening times from:

• Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am -  4.30pm 
• Sunday 2.00pm – 5.00pm

Schools tours, groups, special interest & educational tours are all welcome and enquiries can be sent to battleofaughrim@galwaycoco.ie. Keep an eye on their social media for updates, and information on tours of the battlefield can be obtained by messaging either Facebook or Twitter @1691Aughrim.