Roscrea Ros Cré
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Town | |
Roscrea Castle Street
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Location in Ireland | |
Coordinates: 52°57′18″N 7°47′49″W / 52.955°N 7.797°WCoordinates: 52°57′18″N 7°47′49″W / 52.955°N 7.797°W | |
Country | Ireland |
Province | Munster |
County | County Tipperary |
Elevation | 126 m (413 ft) |
Population (2006) | |
• Urban | 5,403 |
Irish Grid Reference | S132894 |
Roscrea (Irish: Ros Cré, meaning "Wood of Cré") is a historical market town in County Tipperary, Ireland. In 2011 the town had a population of 5,403. Its main industries include meat processing and pharmaceuticals. It is one of eleven civil parishes in the historical barony of Ikerrin. It is also an Ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Killaloe. The town is one of the oldest in Ireland which developed around the ancient monastery of Saint Crónán of Roscrea, parts of which remain preserved today.
Roscrea is a designated Irish Heritage Town due to the extent of important historical buildings that are preserved in the town. Amongst the most notable buildings of interest are the 13th century Roscrea Castle and Damer House on Castle Street. Within the town are the remains of the ancient Romanesque doorway and gable-end of St Cronan's church. The Round Tower and the High cross of the ancient monastery are also located nearby. Also of interest in the town are the remains of the 15th century Franciscan Friary and Monaincha and Sean Ross Abbeys. One of the most famous books produced by the monastery is the Book of Dimma currently on display at Trinity College, Dublin
Roscrea is located in Ireland's Mid-West Region in a valley between Devil's Bit mountain to the south west and the Slieve Bloom mountains to the north east. It is 71 km (44 mi) from Limerick City in the west and 122 km (76 mi) from Dublin City in the east. It is at the crossroads of the M7 motorway between Dublin and Limerick and the N62 between Athlone and Horse and Jockey.