A-Z Placefinder
Towns of Roscommon
Keadue —County Roscommon
Keadue is situated at the foot of the Arigna Mountains and is well cared for by the residents, so much so, that it was designated the tidiest town in the whole of Ireland in 1993; and, in 2003, Keadue also won a silver medal in the European Entente Florale Competition.
Mrs MacDermott Roe of Alderford House near Ballyfarnan village, became the patron of the blind harpist, Turlough O'Carolan, 'the last of the bards', and he composed many airs in praise of her and her clan. It was at Alderford that he died in 1738. He was buried close to the ruined 12th century church in the old graveyard of Kilronan overlooking Lough Meelagh just a mile from the village.
To commemorate his memory, the Keadue O'Carolan Harp Festival is held annually in August.
By the lakeside nearby is the Holy Well of St Lasair, who founded the original church in the 6th century. 'Stations', or traditional devotions, are performed every year on the first Sunday of September. In days gone by, it was customary for pilgrims to crawl under the stone table, but today's clergy frown on the practice.
A short distance away is an amenity area where children can enjoy some swings and a slide or go for a swim in peaceful Lough Meelagh. A walk through the bluebell woods there could easily give you a sighting of a spectacular ruined castle - Kilronan Castle - built by the Earl of Kingston in 1876, replacing the original castle belonging to Colonel King Tennison.
The O'Carolan Heritage Park is also located in Keadue.
