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.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- check
- avoid check
- Airports
- DUB · SNN
- Nights
- 1
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Roscrea112 ▾
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.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyRoscrea 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…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, ambulance, fire (gardaí) · 999 police, ambulance, fire (alternative)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDUB Dublin Airport (JJ Kavanagh bus 735 from the airport to Roscrea, about 2 h).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in 10–15 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
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.
- Airports
- DUB Dublin Airport (JJ Kavanagh bus 735 from the airport to Roscrea, about 2 h) · SNN Shannon Airport (Connection to Roscrea: check)
Weather and climate
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)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
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
Leap Castle
goDoor to door: About 20 min by car
Drive via the R421 and local roads, about 8 km (5 mi) northDrive via the R421 and local roads, about 5 mi (8 km) north
In County Offaly; donation entry, Mon–Sat 10:00–17:00.In County Offaly; donation entry, Mon–Sat 10:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Ballaghmore Castle
cautionDoor 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
goDoor to door: Check
Drive to the southern trailheads; route check
Half- or full-day walking; bring rain gear and a paper map.
Birr
goDoor to door: About 25 min by car
Drive north on the N62, about 20 km (12 mi)Drive north on the N62, about 12 mi (20 km)
Georgian town and the Leviathan telescope at Birr Castle.
Cashel
goDoor 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
- Budget
- €55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- €85–140 (≈ US$100–170) excl. bed
- High
- €140 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| 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
- 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
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
- Best months: check · avoid check · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DUB: last bus 735 departure checked, rail fallback via Ballybrophy, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster for the centre: castle and Damer House, Black Mills and High Cross, round tower, friary.
- Place pages with verified opening seasons (castle, Black Mills, Leap Castle, Ballaghmore) and eat pages with last orders.
- Car-hire and no-taxi fixtures so the outlying sights can go green.