Ballyneety: History, Buildings and Bees

Ballyneety brings together the memory of a notable episode from 1690, historic buildings and an interactive bee workshop. The topics range from Patrick Sarsfield’s story and different building styles to a hands-on activity for children.

History of Ballyneety

In August 1690, Patrick Sarsfield and 600 cavalrymen surprised and destroyed a siege train that had camped overnight in Ballyneety. Sarsfield’s Rock is the only memorial in Ballyneety to this extraordinary feat. Uachtarán Carbhall O’Dálaigh opened it in 1976.

The rock offers panoramic views and is considered an attractive destination for many visitors. Check local conditions before your visit.

Historic buildings

Ballynagarde House in Ballyneety is a two-storey country house over a basement, built in 1774. Williamstown Castle in Ballynagarde, Ballyneety, by contrast, is a fortified house with a battered base, built around 1550. Both are listed as protected structures. The country house and fortified house represent different architectural styles and periods.

Nearby, in Ballyneety North, is the Roman Catholic Church of St Brigid. Built in 1884 in the Gothic Revival style, its unusual octagonal bell tower is a distinctive feature. O’Connell’s in Ballyneety is listed in the record of protected structures as a thatched inn.

Bee workshop and farm

Crokers Bee Farm offers a hands-on, interactive workshop about bees. Children can see the queen, worker bees and drones in an observation hive. The workshop includes a tour of the apiary and the chance to observe plants and flowers that support honey production. The family-run farm also has sheep, cattle, a vegetable and fruit garden, allotments, and various types of poultry, including ducks, geese and chickens.

Limerick: more travel options

In the Limerick destination, the Limerick Greenway offers a 40-kilometre, traffic-free route for walking and cycling. It connects the landscapes of West Limerick with Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West, Templeglantine and Abbeyfeale. The route has several access points; check their current arrangements before basing your plans on them. The 115-metre-long Barnagh Tunnel and Ferguson’s Cast Iron Viaduct are located along the Greenway.

For a different perspective on the landscape, Curraghchase Forest Park in the Limerick destination covers more than 300 hectares of rolling parkland, mixed woodland and lakes. Lough Gur is of international importance for its rich archaeology and environment. At Lough Gur Lakeshore Park, options include guided or self-guided tours of the exhibition, as well as customised guided tours of the archaeological monuments. As tour arrangements can change, check the current options in advance. The Shannon Estuary Way, by contrast, is a driving route through the changing landscapes of West Limerick.

Discover more destinations: Bruff, Pallasgreen, Adare, Tuogh, Croom, Knocklong, Templeglantine, An Ghleann

For the overview of the wider destination: Limerick.