For over 250 years the village was famous for the production of the tobacco clay pipe, or "Dúidín". By the late 1800s there were up to 100 people involved in the manufacture and distribution of the village’s clay pipes.

The Irish name Cnoc an Chrocaire translates as the Hill of the Hanger/Hanging Thing, so called because of a "hanging" ring-fort on the hill. There is a (mistaken) belief that the correct meaning is "Hangman's Hill." Historians say that this view - that there was an established place of execution here - is inconsistent with the small population in the area of Knockcroghery throughout the ages.

Today, a visitor centre and workshop are located on the original site of Andrew and P.J. Curley’s pipe factory, where pipes are handcrafted using the original methods of production. The clay-pipe visitors centre is located in the middle of the village and sells clay-pipes, ogham writing, framed clay-pipes and much more.

Nearby at Gailey Bay on the shore of Lough Ree, stands Gailey Castle, built in the 14th century. Out in the lake is the island of Inishcleraun named after a sister of Queen Maeve, Clothra. Queen Maeve is said to have been killed here by an enemy while she was bathing.

Also in the area stands Scregg House, seat of the Kelly family. On the grounds of the house are some excellent examples of Sheela na Gigs. The building itself is an example of a 3-storey 5-bay mid-18th century country house.