THE history of the Knights of Glin and their links with the County Limerick village that bears their name has been brought to life in a new visitor experience.
The Knights of Glin Experience tells the 800-year story of the knights down to the final holder of the title, Desmond Fitzgerald, and their relationship with the people of Glin.
It includes insights and stories around some of the more colourful Knights and includes history of local landmarks and how the village came to look like it does today.
It is hoped that the Knights of Glin Experience will attract tourists and visitors to the village of Glin and become another destination point along the Wild Atlantic Way and the Shannon Estuary Way.
In 2018, Glin Development Association approached Limerick City and County Council with a proposal to open an interpretive centre telling the story of the Knights of Glin.
This project was funded by the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which is focused on rejuvenating and supporting rural towns and villages.
The first phase focused on the physical location with funding for the restoration and remodelling of the rear annex and laneway to the library together with initial research into the Knights of Glin.
This work was completed in 2020 when a second application for funding was made, once again to the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for the Interpretive Design and Fit Out and production of audio visual material for the centre.
Match funding was provided by the council including from the General Municipal Allowance of the elected members of the Newcastle West Municipal District.
Speaking at the official launch Deputy Mayor Kieran O’Hanlon said the Knights of Glin Experience will help persuade tourists and visitors to stop in the village as they travel along the Wild Atlantic Way and the Shannon Estuary Way.
“It will also act as an information point on other attractions nearby including Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum, Askeaton Friary and the Limerick Greenway.”
“Limerick City and County Council has worked closely with Glin Development Association over the past number of years to develop this project. Glin Development Association have immersed themselves in the project from the start and will manage it in the future.”
Glin Development Association chairperson John Anthony Culhane said the idea behind the Knight of Glin experience came about a few years ago when Glin Castle was up for sale.
“We felt that if new owners took over that maybe the story of the Knights of Glin might be lost, so with that in mind, we decided to set up some kind of museum experience that would relate their story.
“This will be really important in the drive to increase tourists to Glin but I also think that it’s really important that we recognise other villages along the Shannon have as well. We could link everything up, and put a nice package together for a tourist who was visiting the area,” he explained.
