07 Main Street & The Village Square - Kilcormac Audio Guide 1

Nestled between the Slieve Bloom Mountains and the waters of the Silver River in County Offaly, Kilcormac is a place of stories. This audio guide will introduce you to the history and heritage of Kilcormac, as we meet members of the community who have made this charming place their home. This is a truly ancient landscape, and during our journey we will hear of the area during the unimaginably distant past, when people camped nearby around 9,000 years ago at the edge of a great lake. Our audio guide will walk you through history and you will hear the story of Saint Cormac who came here over 1500 years ago in search of a peaceful place who in turn lent his name to the town. We will hear about the Kilcormac Pieta which survived the ravages of Cromwell’s army and lay hidden in a bog for over sixty years. We will also hear the story of how Kilcormac became a hub of peat production in the 20th century and how as that business diminished a new amenity and wildlife sanctuary blossomed at Lough Boora in its place. As we explore the rich stories associated with Kilcormac, an enduring feature is the powerful sense of community that emerges down through the ages, along with a deep connection to the surrounding landscape in all its diversity.