Discover Rathdowney

Rathdowney lies on the River Erkina in the southwest of County Laois. Its townscape, church and cemetery history, golf and routes for outdoor activities offer concrete points of reference when choosing a destination. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether your stay should focus mainly on local history, golf or walks.

Townscape and history

The town centre is characterised mainly by two-storey 19th-century buildings on Market Square and along Main Street. Plot and building patterns from this period have also largely been preserved behind Main Street. Together, these areas show two aspects of the historic townscape: the street frontages and the plots and building forms behind them.

The Church of Ireland church of St Andrew’s dates from 1818; it was renovated in 1865 and extended in 1990. The dates mark the construction, renovation and extension as separate phases. St Andrew’s cemetery contains 19th-century gravestones; most stand upright, with only a few leaning or damaged. The cemetery can be accessed from the town centre through a gate, and paved paths lead from the gate around the church. Check local opening arrangements before visiting.

Golf and trails

Rathdowney Golf Club offers an 18-hole golf course. Golf is therefore a clearly defined local focus if you would like to plan your stay around it.

There is a year-round running track in Rathdowney beside St Fergal’s Secondary School. Another, more natural option is less than 5 km away: Coolacurragh Wood Nature Reserve has a 1 km circular trail through wet woodland. Sturdy footwear is required for this trail. This gives you a choice between a route in town and a short circular walk through the woods.

Getting there and finding your way

The R433 regional road connects Rathdowney with the M8 Dublin–Cork; the R435 connects Rathdowney with the M7 Dublin–Limerick. Ballybrophy railway station is 6 km away; daily trains run from there to Cork and Limerick from Dublin. Check timetables separately for your specific journey. Road links and the railway station offer different reference points for planning your journey.

Cultural attractions in County Laois

County Laois has other distinct cultural attractions. Timahoe Round Tower dates from the late 12th century and has an elaborately carved doorway. Timahoe Heritage Centre is housed in a preserved 19th-century church and tells the story of the early Christian monastic settlement of Tigh Mochua. The tower is also part of the Ireland’s Ancient East visitor route.

Rock of Dunamase developed into one of Ireland’s most important Anglo-Norman fortifications. At Emo Court, architecture meets outdoor activity: James Gandon designed the neoclassical mansion in 1790; visitors can walk by the lake and through woodland.

Heywood Gardens near Ballinakill is an 18th-century landscape estate with gardens, lakes and woodland. Sir Edwin Lutyens designed the formal gardens. In Donaghmore, Donaghmore Workhouse & Agricultural Museum preserves an original 19th-century workhouse and an agricultural collection. Mountmellick Work is a whitework embroidery technique developed by Johanna Carter in the early 19th century.

Discover more destinations: Stradbally, Mountmellick, Whitewell, Curragh, Ballickmoyler, Ballyhenry, Killenard, Emo.

For the broader travel overview: County Laois.