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Mini guide to Strokestown
The charming village of Strokestown in Roscommon county, Ireland, is not only a centre of great historical interest but also is surrounded by numerous beautiful lakes. Its wide tree-lined streets give Strokestown an air of sophistication while the peaceful atmosphere offers the visitor a delightful place to relax and unwind. Strokestown is a favourite place amongst anglers, who enjoy fishing for pike, perch, brea, trout and eels. Major work has been carried out on many of the lakes, providing fishing stands and increased accessibility for the convenience of the anglers. However, these waters have not been heavily fished and may be regarded as virgin waters. There are also approximately 10 miles of riverbank fishing in the district. Besides fishing, Stroketown’s most popular attraction is Strokestown Park House, built in 1800 by Lord Hartland. The north wing houses Ireland’s last galleried kitchen and the south wing is the elaborate vaulted stable described by one observer as an ‘equine cathedral.’ The Famine Museum at the House uses a combination of original documents and images from the Strokestown Park collection to explain the circumstances of the Great Irish Famine of the 1840’s. Strokestown’s unusually wide streets were designed by Lord Harland, who wanted to make his village thoroughfare even larger than the Ringstrasse in Vienna. Strokestown offers a fine selection of restaurants and pubs, where you can hear traditional Irish music, as well as many lovely shops for of Irish souvenirs and crafts. Explore the picturesque countryside to get a real feel for this area of western Ireland, stopping to have a picnic at one of the many lakes, where you can go for a relaxing swim. You can also visit Elphin Windmill, an 18th century windmill that was used to grind oats and wheat for the local population. Alternatively, discover Boyle Abbey in the town of Boyle, still regarded as the finest of the Cistercian churches to survive in Ireland. Strokestown is easily accessed by car, though Ireland’s roads tend to be provincial with few multi-laned highways. The rail network is rather modest, so most connections are made using the well developed Bus Eireann network. International airports can be found at Dublin, Shannon (Limerick) and Cork.
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