For most of the fourteen years that Fr. John Murphy was a curate in Boolavogue he lived with John O’Donohoe and his family in this house in Tomnaboley in Boolavogue.
That house was destroyed in the rebellion and rebuilt afterwards. It was used until the late 19th. century and then fell into disrepair. It was restored as part of the commemoration of the bicentennial of the rebellion. It is situated in a restored farmyardwhich includes a cowhouse, pigsty, dairy, stable, dairy and labourers’ lodge.
The haggard contains a range of farm machinery, ploughs, harrows and sowers from the 19th. and 20th. century. Some of them were made in Wexford, in Pierce’s, in the Star Engineering Works and in Thompsons.
The Center is open from 12.00 noon to 5.00 pm from Monday and Friday and again from 12.00 noon to 5.00 pm each Sunday. Visits on Saturdays are by appointment.
School groups are especially welcome and can avail of the picnic facilities or the tea rooms for lunch.
A guided tour is available, but booking in advance is advisable.
