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Tiny AUGHRIM , fourteen miles from Loughrea and just short of Ballinasloe, makes a good base from which to explore some of the ecclesiastical remains of the area. In 1691, Aughrim was the scene of a key battle in the Williamite Wars in which the Irish and French forces were defeated. The Battle of Aughrim Interpretive Centre (Easter-Oct daily 10am-6pm) explains the battle's significance and places the Williamite Wars in the context of seventeeth-century European power struggles. Hynes hostel (tel 0905/73734; GBP26-33/?33.01-41.90) which has adequate, small dorm rooms also does camping and is attached to the local pub, which has music at weekends during the summer. It's advisable to book ahead in July and August and also during Ballinasloe's horse fair . The other reason for stopping here is to visit the excellent Old Schoolhouse Restaurant , on the other side of the Dublin Road from the village, its adventurous menu featuring such delicacies as tournedos of ostrich with a shallot confit and port and dry plum juice. Four miles to the northwest lie the very beautiful remains of Kilconnell Friary , a Franciscan foundation built near the site of the sixth-century church of St Conall, which gives the place its name. The friary held out successfully against Cromwellian attack in 1651. The ruins are extensive, with additions to the early fourteenth-century building showing that there was increased monastic activity in the later Middle Ages. There's a very pretty arcaded cloister, and in the north wall of the nave are two splendid canopied wall-tombs.
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