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Major city · Ireland

RoscreaRos Cré

Give Roscrea one night, not two: castle, Black Mills and round tower fill a half-day, and the rest of the time you are driving to nearby sights such as Leap Castle or the Slieve Blooms.

Roscrea is a small Tipperary market town of about 5,500 people with a 13th-century castle, a surviving round tower and a monastic site cut in two by Church Street. It works as a single-night stop on the Dublin–Limerick road or rail line, and as a base for sights just over the county boundary in Offaly and Laois. Without a car the outlying castles and hills are out of reach.

basic guide: no trip line yet
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3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
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see forecast
Currency
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Best months
check
avoid check
Airports
Dublin (DUB) · Shannon (SNN)
Nights
1

About Roscrea

Roscrea is a town in County Tipperary with a population of 5500 as of 2022. It sits on the N62 off the M7 from Dublin and is served by a branch railway line linking Limerick, Nenagh and Roscrea to the main line at Ballybrophy. The town is known for its medieval buildings, especially the castle, and serves as a base for sites across the county boundary in Offaly and Laois.

The town centre is compact and walkable, but outlying accommodation and sights in nearby villages require your own transport, and there is no local taxi service. Roscrea has a round tower, a monastic site crossed by Church Street, and a friary bell-tower, alongside a leisure centre and golf club.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Roscrea: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
  • Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
  • Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices

See

What is worth your time in Roscrea.

  • Roscrea Castle — A 13th-century castle built on King John's orders, with a courtyard, a tower house at the north gate and Damer House inside.
  • Black Mills — A restored watermill on Church Street holding the original 12th-century St Cronan's High Cross, included in castle admission.
  • The Round Tower — Built around 1100 next to Black Mills, it stands 20 m high after its top was removed in 1798.
  • Roscrea Friary — Founded in the 15th century by Greyfriars, its bell-tower and north and east walls remain.
  • Leap Castle — Built circa 1250 in County Offaly, with Roscrea as its nearest town, and expanded in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Eat and drink

Specialities of this place.

  • The Gantly Way — A place to eat within the Supervalu supermarket.
  • Fiacri House — A cookery school with its own restaurant at Boolereagh Knock.

Customs

  • The town is easy enough to walk around, but a car is needed for outlying accommodation and nearby village sights.
  • There is no local taxi service in Roscrea.
  • Church Street cuts across the monastic site, with a Tesco just behind it.
Emergency numbers for Roscrea112 ▾
  • Police, ambulance, fire (Gardaí)112
  • Police, ambulance, fire (alternative)999

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Roscrea, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealMain course in a restaurant€16–26 (≈ US$19–35)
  • Street or quick mealPub lunch or soup and sandwich€10–16 (≈ US$12–19)
  • BeerPint of stout or lager€5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8)
  • Museum or sight ticketRoscrea Castle and Black Mills, adultApr–Sep, Wed–Sun€5 (≈ US$6)
  • Budget bedHostel or shared bunk, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per room€170 (≈ US$200)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €95 (≈ US$120) · High €160 (≈ US$190)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Roscrea Castle and Damer HouseSt Cronan's High Cross and round towerLeap CastleSlieve Bloom Mountains
Airports
DUB Dublin Airport (JJ Kavanagh bus 735 from the airport to Roscrea, about 2 h) · SNN Shannon Airport (Connection to Roscrea: check)

Map of Roscrea

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

KinnittyBirrMountrathBanagherNenaghAbbeyleixThurlesPortumna

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Roscrea
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Roscrea: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

8°C (46°F)

2°C (36°F)

14 rd

Feb

9°C (48°F)

2°C (36°F)

12 rd

Mar

11°C (52°F)

3°C (37°F)

13 rd

Apr

13°C (55°F)

4°C (39°F)

11 rd

May

16°C (61°F)

6°C (43°F)

11 rd

Jun

18°C (64°F)

9°C (48°F)

10 rd

Jul

20°C (68°F)

11°C (52°F)

11 rd

Aug

20°C (68°F)

11°C (52°F)

12 rd

Sep

18°C (64°F)

9°C (48°F)

11 rd

Oct

14°C (57°F)

7°C (45°F)

13 rd

Nov

11°C (52°F)

4°C (39°F)

13 rd

Dec

8°C (46°F)

2°C (36°F)

14 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The centre is walkable in 10–15 minutes end to end. There is no local taxi service, so plan around buses, the train or your own car for anything outside town.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Leap Castle

go

Door to door: About 20 min by car

Drive via the R421 and local roads, about 8 km (5 mi) north

In County Offaly; donation entry, Mon–Sat 10:00–17:00.

Ballaghmore Castle

caution

Door to door: About 15 min by car

Drive east on the R445 towards Borris-in-Ossory

In County Laois; arrange a tour before visiting; contact details check.

Slieve Bloom Mountains

go

Door to door: Check

Drive to the southern trailheads; route check

Half- or full-day walking; bring rain gear and a paper map.

Birr

go

Door to door: About 25 min by car

Drive north on the N62, about 20 km (12 mi)

Georgian town and the Leviathan telescope at Birr Castle.

Cashel

go

Door to door: Check

Drive south; route check

Rock of Cashel needs two to three hours; see the Cashel guide.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Town centre (Main St and Castle St)

Walk to the castle, pubs and shops; the railway station is 500 m north.

Dublin Road (east side)

B&Bs on the N62 approach; you need a car or a 10–15 min walk into town.

Outlying farms and caravan parks

Cheaper and quieter, but no local taxi service: only book with your own transport.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
€55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
Mid
€85–140 (≈ US$100–170) excl. bed
High
€140 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
B&B double room1 × 1 night × €120€120
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €95€190
Bus 735 Dublin Airport to Roscrea, one way2 × €20€40
Car hire, one day, small car1 × €45€45
eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15€30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge€43
Trip total≈ €234 per person per day, bed included€468≈ US$550

2026 estimate in euro; transport to Roscrea excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee or tea in a café€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Pub lunch or soup and sandwich€10–16 (≈ US$12–19)
Main course in a restaurant€16–26 (≈ US$19–35)
Pint of stout or lager€5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8)
Roscrea Castle and Black Mills, adultApr–Sep, Wed–Sun€5 (≈ US$6)
18 holes at Roscrea Golf Club€35 (≈ US$45)
Caravan pitch, StreamstownJul–Aug and the two May holiday weekends only€30 (≈ US$35)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Roscrea is a quiet town and street crime is low; the real risks are unlit rural roads at night, walking on road edges without a footpath, and winter ice. Keep to the centre after dark and drive with lights on.
  • No local taxi service: arrange lifts or drive.
  • Roscrea Castle is open Apr–Sep only, Wednesday to Sunday.
  • The railway station has no ticket machine for online collections; buy ahead or on board where allowed.
  • Many nearby sites (Leap Castle, Ballaghmore, Monaincha) are in other counties and need a car.

Emergency numbers

Police, ambulance, fire (Gardaí)
112
Police, ambulance, fire (alternative)
999

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

RoscreaRos Cré

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, ambulance, fire112
  • Police, ambulance, fire (alternative)999

Embassy

No embassy in Roscrea; US, UK and most other embassies are in Dublin. Nearest Garda station is in Roscrea town.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Bus 735 Dublin Airport → Roscrea: about €20 (≈ US$25), about 2 h
  • Train Dublin Heuston → Roscrea: about 90 min, two trains Mon–Sat
  • Car hire, one day: from about €45 (≈ US$55) plus fuel

Say or show

  • Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
  • Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
  • Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
  • Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)
  • Cá bhfuil an leithreas? — Where is the toilet? (kaw will un leh-rass)
  • Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)

English is spoken everywhere; Irish is used on signs and in schools.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Roscrea. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: check · avoid check · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for DUB: last bus 735 departure checked, rail fallback via Ballybrophy, overnight rung.
  2. Walking cluster for the centre: castle and Damer House, Black Mills and High Cross, round tower, friary.
  3. Place pages with verified opening seasons (castle, Black Mills, Leap Castle, Ballaghmore) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Car-hire and no-taxi fixtures so the outlying sights can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Ireland

Sources

Ask about Roscrea

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