Castlerea is beautifully situated in wooded country on the banks of the Suck River, in the western parts of County Roscommon. The town is the second largest in the county with a population of 2842 (2006 census), and is famous for being home to Clonalis House, the ancestral home of the Clan O’Connor, the last High Kings of Ireland!! Castlerea is also well known for the unique Hell’s Kitchen Bar, the only pub in Ireland with a train inside!! The train is part of a private collection of Sean Browne’s, who has managed to assemble a great deal of railway memorabilia, known as the Castlerea Railway Museum, which houses the bar, quite a drinking venue!! The train is a 1955 A55 diesel locomotive.
Clonalis House is a 45 room mansion, built in 1878, and lies just west of town. The Clan O’Connor, is one of Europe’s oldest families, being able to trace their lineage back to Feredach the Just in 75 A.D. The family has given Ireland 11 High Kings, and
24 Kings of Connacht!! Clonalis House displays a priceless collection of archival material dating back 60 generations!!
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