The Spectacles, Lough Gur

The Spectacles, nestled near Lough Gur in County Limerick, whispers tales of antiquity. This medieval farmstead, perched on a natural platform overlooking the tranquil lake, reveals its secrets through ancient foundations and fields.

Originally named for two circular structures depicted on ordnance survey maps, further exploration unveiled three huts, an animal shelter, and remnants of Stone Age houses—the very outlines known as "The Spectacles" today. These humble remains connect us to the past, bridging the gap between medieval life and our present gaze across the water.

As the wind rustles the grass, we imagine the lives that once thrived here—the hearths ablaze, the laughter echoing, and the toil etching stories into the soil. The Spectacles, though modest, weaves a thread through time, inviting us to ponder the generations who called this place home.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014