About Timahoe Heritage Centre
Our Story: A Place Where
Time Stands Still
Heritage That Inspires
A Thousand Years of Stories
Located in the heart of County Laois, Timahoe Heritage Centre celebrates over a thousand years of Irish monastic life and community spirit. Built within a lovingly restored 19th-century church, the Centre sits beside Ireland’s finest and best-preserved 12th-century Round Tower, a symbol of resilience and devotion.
From Saints to Settlers
The History of Timahoe
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7th Century Beginnings
Founded by St. Mochua, Timahoe became a flourishing monastic settlement known for learning, faith, and craftsmanship.
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Viking Raids
In the 9th and 10th centuries, the settlement faced invasions, a common fate for Ireland’s rich monastic communities.
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Romanesque Glory
The 12th-century Round Tower was constructed with intricate stonework that still inspires visitors today, blending beauty with function as a place of worship, refuge, and lookout.
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Community Legacy
The spirit of Timahoe endures through generations, with local families preserving its stories, traditions, and heritage as a living link to Ireland’s early monastic past.
A Story Still Alive
Why It Matters Today
Timahoe Heritage Centre isn’t just about the past — it’s a living story. Our exhibits, storytelling sessions, and events aim to spark curiosity, reflection, and pride in local and national heritage. Whether you’re exploring for the first time or returning to your roots, Timahoe invites you to step into a history still very much alive.
Getting Ready to Explore
What You’ll Experience
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Audiovisual Storytelling
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Stone Artifacts & Displays
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A Place for Reflection
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Heritage in Community