Within a short drive south of Carlow town are the rich agricultural lands of Tinryland. The village and its surrounding townlands have an abundant history that spans from the Mesolithic period to the modern age. In this audio guide, you can take a journey through time to uncover their stories. We will hear about the accidental discovery of Ireland’s first Linkardstown burial and of brave men who fought in the 1798 Rebellion, the Battle of Gettysburg, and the Battle of Little Bighorn.

The area also has a strong ecclesiastical connection. The great monastic settlement of Ráith Melsigi once stood here, and it was from this monastery that the great St Willibrord travelled to Europe and spread the Christian faith to Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

In this audio guide, you’ll also discover where Walt Disney’s ancestors are buried, Tinryland’s interesting connection to Ireland’s electrification, and the Ballybar Races, once considered the Cheltenham of Ireland.

Tinryland Audio Guide

This audio guide is an Abarta Heritage production on behalf of the Tinryland Heritage Group. The project was supported by the Heritage Council under the Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2024. Gerry O’Brien narrated the guide, which was recorded in Bluebird Studios with sound engineer Declan Lonergan and producer Tara O’Faoláin.

If you would like to hear similar audio guides from other heritage sites around Ireland, please be sure to subscribe to Discover the Stories of Ireland by Abarta Heritage on your favourite podcast platform.