Discover Granard

Granard can be explored in different ways: the Greenway invites you to walk and cycle, while the motte and the Knights and Conquests Exhibition Centre offer insights into medieval history. There are also festivals featuring harp music and literature. You can tailor your stay to whether you want to get outdoors, experience history or focus on a cultural programme.

On foot or by bike along the Greenway

The Granard Greenway is a 2.1-kilometre route for walking and cycling between Granard and Higginstown. It forms a loop around the town and provides access to woodland and countryside. Along the way, there are views of Granard Motte and a nearby church; the route also follows a peaceful stream. The Greenway combines exercise with glimpses of nature and the town’s history. If you’d like to include an active element in your trip, you can make this route a focus in its own right or combine it with other experiences in Granard.

The Greenway also connects residential areas with important leisure and educational facilities. These include the Higginstown Sports Complex, the Granard GAA grounds, and local primary and secondary schools. In addition to its value for walks and bike rides, the route is therefore connected to everyday life in the town. For planning your trip, both the route between Granard and Higginstown and the different places it connects are of interest.

Motte, ringfort and medieval history

Granard Motte and Bailey was built around 1199 by Richard de Tuite, a Norman knight and Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. It was established to extend Norman rule within an existing ringfort. The site is considered one of the finest examples of an Anglo-Norman fortification in Ireland and is a National Monument in state care. This history makes Granard an interesting destination for anyone keen to explore medieval architecture and changes in who ruled Ireland.

Situated on top of a hill, the motte offers views of Granard Town and the River Rhine. There is also a statue of St Patrick on the motte, erected in 1932. The historic site is unguided; visitors are asked to take care throughout their visit. If you include this place in your trip plans, bear this in mind when finding your way around the site. The views and the history of the fortification offer two different ways to experience the same historic place: appreciating the landscape and learning about its function.

History you can experience

The Knights and Conquests Exhibition Centre in Granard offers an interactive, partly guided journey through Irish history. The Norman Adventure Tour includes a weapons drill. The Norman-CSI room shows how archaeology reconstructs history. Visitors can also discover medieval Norman armour and weapons there. After their visit, guests can climb the 12th-century motte and enjoy views across three provinces. The exhibition and the historic site thus offer different ways to explore Norman history.

Harp music and books throughout the year

Granard is home to Ireland’s oldest harp festival, founded in 1781. After a break, the Granard Harp Festival was revived in 2018. Its programme includes concerts, workshops, talks, walks and a street music competition for young people. It spans music and discussions as well as outdoor activities. Anyone interested in harp music or the festival’s varied programme can consider it a cultural occasion to plan a trip around.

The Granard Booktown Festival also appeals to culture lovers: every April, it brings book lovers to the town. Speakers, writers and artists come together for a weekend full of stories and creativity. April is therefore a specific time to consider for anyone looking to combine a visit to Granard with this literary festival. The Harp Festival and Booktown Festival have different focuses; together, they show how important music, books and events are to Granard’s cultural life.

Plan your stay around your interests

Your travel interests can help you choose a holiday apartment or holiday home in Granard. If you enjoy walking or cycling, you can make the Greenway a focus; if you’re interested in medieval history, the motte and exhibition offer different insights. Literature lovers can factor the Booktown Festival in April into their plans.

If you’d like to explore other places in the same selection: Edgeworthstown, Moyne, Mosstown, Killashee, Longford, Lanesborough, Ballymahon and Cloondara.

For the broader travel overview: County Longford.