The Standing Stone

Welcome to 'The Standing Stone'...

noreply@blogger.com (The Shape) — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 17:23:00 +0000

The Standing Stone features information, pictures and discussion about historical sites in Ireland with a focus on the midland region. Ranging from megalithic tombs to 17th century fortified houses you will find a variety of interesting places. Here you will see an Ireland that you will not find in the guide books. Most sites covered here are largely unknown and largely off-road! I cover only places that I have personally visited and therefore can give detailed information about the difficulty of seeing a particular site and things to be aware of. I hope you enjoy this site and please feel free to leave comments and feel free to contact me with any questions and suggestions.

The goal of this site is to eventually represent the whole country. Initially this site began with sites in Laois and Tipperary only but has now expanded to include Offaly, Carlow, Limerick, Kildare, Roscommon Sligo and more recently Clare. Wicklow and Meath will be added in 2013. If there is a site you would like me to cover please feel free to contact me.

This site is always expanding as I visit more sites so please check back again...if I have left out a major site, rest assured that it will eventually find its way on here. This site is more about the lesser known sites in Ireland. I try to add as much stuff as possible but sometimes life gets in the way. Updates are never far away.

News and visit blog has been updated on 11th January, 2013...click here.

The Standing Stone now has 309 sites and 2003 photographs...and counting.

Ballinphunta, Wedge Tomb, Co. Clare.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:48:00 +0000

Location – In Craughaun cemetery in Cratloe about 4km from Limerick city. It is a little tricky to find. The OS map shows it right on the railway line but it is actually about 10m away near the entrance to the cemetery. Getting to the cemetery is the hard part. You will need to take the turning about 100m South of the grid reference. The entrance doubles as a house entrance but go past the house, keeping it on your left, and you will come to the cemetery carpark.

OS: R 479 616 (map 58)

GPS: R 47907 61658 (Accuracy - 2m)

Longitude: 8° 46' 14.62" W

Latitude: 52° 42' 11.74" N

See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – This wedge tomb is a little puzzling which just adds to the appeal of it. It is a beautiful little tomb but I couldn’t help asking myself why was it so well preserved in the middle of a graveyard? When I looked around I found out that this tomb is actually a replica of one that used to stand at this site. It was erected by FAS workers after an excavation of the site that found little. I could find little out about this and would love to know if it uses any of the original stones. I was in two minds about putting this up on the site but decided to put this up as a cautionary tale to research what you are looking at the always be aware that archaeology is not always at it seems. It’s still worth having a look at and there are the ruins of a medieval church in the same graveyard.

Difficulty – Easy to view...difficult to get to the graveyard.

For more Neolithic Tombs, click here.

For more sites in Co. Clare, click here.

I like this shot mainly because of the rainbow.

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The Bullaun Stones, Holy Island, Co. Clare.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:17:00 +0000

Location – These are all in three separate locations around the island. The first pair is located midway between the main complex of buildings and St. Mary’s church.

OS: R 699 850 (map 58)

Longitude: 8° 26' 51.01" W

Latitude: 52° 54' 54.17" N

The second stone is located next to a shed a short distance from the Confessional.

The last stone is in the water and to find this follow the path to the water from the Confessional and follow the shore to the left and you should be able to spot the stone a few meters out. It is one the larger stones.

OS: R 700 851 (map 58)

Longitude: 8° 26' 45.69" W

Latitude: 52° 54' 57.42" N

Description and History – While there are many bullauns on Holy Island I was only able to locate four of them. Two are located next to each other in the middle of a field, one is by a shed and the other is actually in the water and is tough to get to. The first pair are partially buried with one being almost covered up by the earth. These are both large stones with depressions of about 40cm in width. The stone near the shed is probably not in its original location and looks to have been moved. This is a much smaller stone and could almost fit into the holes in the first pair. The final and most impressive stone is actually in the water and requires patience to find. It’s a large stone with a small hole carved near the edge of the top and is well worth seeing as you will find few bullauns like this one.

Difficulty – The pair and stone by the shed are easy to get to while the one in the water is quite difficult.

Back to the Holy Island main menu.

The above are the pair of bullauns located next to each other in the open ground.

The above three pictures are of the bullaun by the shed.

The bullaun in the water really is something special to go and see.

Our Lady's Well, Holy Island, Co. Clare.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:02:00 +0000

Location – Located just behind St. Mary’s church.

OS: R 649 849 (map 58)

Longitude: 8° 26' 50.98" W

Latitude: 52° 54' 50.93" N

Description and History – This is a very well constructed little well in a very traditional style that you don’t see all too often with holy wells in Ireland unless they’ve gone through a modern make-over. This seems much older but not as ancient as other things on the island. It’s very boggy around this well so I couldn’t get a good look inside even with my wellies on.

Difficulty – You’ll need wellies just to get close to this one.

Back to the Holy Island main menu.

The Bargaining Stone, Holy Island, Co. Clare.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:53:00 +0000

Location – This is located behind St. Mary’s church on the E side of the island.

OS: R 698 849 (map 58)

Longitude: 8° 26' 56.33" W

Latitude: 52° 54' 50.91" N

Description and History – This stone is another oddity of the island. It is a low boulder about 30 cm high about 1.5m long. There is a hole that runs through the stone towards the water. The tradition is that contracts were sealed between monks on the island by shaking hands through this stone, hence its name. While there are many holed stones around Ireland, there are few like this.

Difficulty – This could easily be missed as it’s on the shore like amongst other rocks. It also get boggy down here so bring your wellies – a good tip for the whole island.

Back to the Holy Island main menu.

The High Cross, Holy Island, Co. Clare.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:43:00 +0000

Location – Next to the round tower a little further back from the main complex.

OS: R 699 851 (map 58)

Longitude: 8° 26' 51.04" W

Latitude: 52° 54' 57.4" N

Description and History – There is little left of this cross and only a section of the shaft remains in situ. There is badly eroded decoration which is a basic knot design. The head of the cross is kept in the nearby church with many other fragments. I would guess that part of the shaft is still missing and that is why they have not been put back together.

Difficulty – This is hard to miss next to the round tower.

Back to the Holy Island main menu.

The Round Tower, Holy Island, Co. Clare.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:28:00 +0000

Location – Located at the main complex. Visible from the mainland.

OS: R 699 850 (map 58)

Longitude: 8° 26' 51.01" W

Latitude: 52° 54' 54.17" N

Description and History – From the mainland this is the only feature of the site visible as it pokes up above the trees. The top is now missing but you still get a good sense of what it was like. The doorway is about a third of the way up there are two other windows. The decoration is plain but the tower is certainly a highlight of the site.

Difficulty – Impossible to miss.

Back to the Holy Island main menu.

The Church of the Wounded Man, Holy Island, Co. Clare.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:09:00 +0000

Location – Located a short distance from the main complex

OS: R 699 850 (map 58)

Longitude: 8° 30' 24.4" W

Latitude: 52° 54' 54.18" N

Description and History – There is little left of this early church but it still has its charms. The remaining walls go to a height of 2m in places and there are some decorated pieces of masonry in places. This is one of the earliest remaining structures on the island.

Difficulty – Easy enough to get to, but it is away from the main complex.

Back to the Holy Island main menu.

Architectural fragments.

I think this may have been part of a cross-slab.

Ornate grave slab.

Tombs.

St. Mary's Church, Holy Island, Co. Clare.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:19:00 +0000

Location – Located a short distance across the island away from the main cluster of buildings.

OS: R 698 849 (map 58)

Longitude: 8° 26' 55.19" W

Latitude: 52° 54' 49.95" N

Description and History – This is the largest of the structures on the island and dates to the 13th century but has had subsequent work carried out on it. By 1615 the church was listed as derelict. The altar is not actually an altar but a tomb that was placed in the church after it fell into ruin. It was taken to the mainland for a time and was used as an altar but was returned to the island in 1880. This is a lovely church with lots of interesting features to keep an eye out for.

Difficulty – This is away from the main complex but easily reached.

Back to the Holy Island main menu.

There's a wealth of architectural fragments in this ruin which are just scattered around and cemented into odd places.

Fantastically carved altar.

There are also many medieval cross slabs and grave markers against the walls.

St. Caiman's Church, Holy Island, Co. Clare.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:09:00 +0000

Location – Part of the main cluster of churches.

OS: R 699 850 (map 58)

Longitude: 8° 26' 51.01" W

Latitude: 52° 54' 54.17" N

Description and History – This is a nice little church with a beautiful Romanesque doorway which is one of the highlights of the island. This is the only roofed structure on the island and it is a modern reconstruction. Inside are many cross-slabs and cross fragments but the gate was locked so I couldn’t get a close look at these. This church was ordered to be built by Brian Boru in 1000AD. To me a connection to such an important figure in Irish history makes this a special place.

Difficulty – As this is so central to the complex on the island this is the easiest of the churches to get to and view.

Back to the Holy Island main menu.

St. Caiman's church as viewed from the Confessional.

St. Brigit's Church, Holy Island, Co. Clare.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 18:13:00 +0000

Location – This is a little bit away from the main cluster of churches in its own little enclosure.

OS: R 698 849 (map 58)

Longitude: 8° 26' 56.33" W

Latitude: 52° 54' 50.91" N

Description and History – This little ruin is one of the highlights of the island. The small church is contained within a stone walled enclosure which sits on an earlier earthwork. The arched entrance was built in the 13th century. The church was closed around the same time when the larger St. Mary’s church was built. It was later used for burials. The Romanesque archway is beautiful and covered with zig zag designs although it is quite eroded now. A broken window is located in the opposite wall.

Difficulty – Easy enough, although the ground can get a little boggy.

Back to the Holy Island main menu.

The church and enclosure as you approach.

The church from the rear.

The beautiful Romanesque doorway.

Wonderful decoration.

This must have been spectacular in its day.

The Confessional, Holy Island, Co. Clare.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 17:16:00 +0000

Location – On Holy Island and part of the main cluster of sites.
OS: R 699 851 (map 58)
Longitude: 8° 26' 51.04" W
Latitude: 52° 54' 57.4" N

Description and History – This is a very unusual structure and there is some debate as to its origins. It was used as a confessional and the small 2m x 3m is divided into two chambers with a seat on either side, just like modern confessionals. However, the divisions in the building are made from two large stones, two further stones are at the rear of the inner chamber with a large back stone. Tom FourWinds at Megalithomania has speculated that this may actually be a reused megalithic monument. It certainly has that feel to it, the four uprights and back stone could be part of a much older monument and that possibility is very exciting. Outside the small building is a cross slab set into the ground with a groove carved into it which probably housed another slab. There is also a cross base further out. These are in alignment with the entrance to the building. This confessional is often considered the most important of the buildings even though it is the smallest and it is considered to be the heart of the complex.

Difficulty – This is first building you will meet after walking from the boat and offers no challenge.

Back to the Holy Island main menu.

They really shouldn't put information signs right up against the monuments like that.

Looking through the entrance.

The dividing stones really do resemble megaliths. Could this be a reused ancient tomb?

The cross slab and base.

Holy Island, Inishcealtra, Ecclesiastical Complex, Co. Clare.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 16:39:00 +0000

Location – In Lough Derg near the town of Mountshannon. There are many boats who offer trips to the island for reasonable prices.

OS: R 697 853 (map 58)
Longitude: 8° 27' 1.81" W
Latitude: 52° 55' 3.83" N

This is a very loose grid reference. I don’t have GPS for this site yet so these are general co-ordinates which will just pinpoint the island on a map. I will give of specific co-ordinates for individual sites but, as for now, I am lacking GPS co-ordinates.

See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – Holy Island is a fantastically preserved monastic settlement dating to the early Christian period in Ireland. Being isolated has helped some unusual features survive. The island was probably considered to be sacred in pre-Christian times and was the reason why it was chosen as a destination by Irish monks. Saint Colm is the first monk associated with the site although Saint Caiman is primarily associated with Holy Island. It was destroyed by Vikings in 836AD and then later rebuilt under the orders of Brian Boru. It was a popular pilgrimage site until the 19th century. Today it is a popular tourist site with many boats offering trips to the island. It is a very unusual and special place and well worth making the effort to get out to see it. Click below to read about the individual sites on the island.

The Confessional
St. Brigit’s Church
St. Caiman’s Church
St. Mary’s Church
The Church of the Wounded Men
The Round Tower
The High Cross
The Bargaining Stone
Our Lady’s Well
The Bullaun Stones

Difficulty – Once on the island everything is fairly easy apart from the bullauns which require wellies and walking out into the Lough. However, a boat is required to get to the island but various boats offer trips to the island.

For more sites in Co. Clare, click here.
For more ecclesiastical sites, click here.

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Killeigh, Holy Well and Rag Tree, Co. Offaly.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:50:00 +0000

Location – Just outside the village of Killeigh.

OS: N 363 183 (map 54)

Longitude: 7° 27' 23.66" W
Latitude: 53° 12' 50.05" N

See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – Known at the ‘seven blessed wells of Killeigh’ this is a nice little site. It has been restored recently and cleaned up but the original structure is largely preserved. A dry stone wall channels a small stream that emerges from a natural spring. There are reportedly seven natural springs in the vicinity. St. Senchell the Elder founded an abbey nearby and his feast day is celebrated on March 26th. The water from the wells is supposed to cure eye ailments. This is a nice well and has a nice quiet atmosphere. The Archaeological Inventory for County Offaly says that there are architectural fragments from the former abbey in the vicinity but I couldn't find any of these. They must have been removed when the place was cleaned up. The rag tree is in use and many offerings are left there.

Difficulty – There is a place to park and a small walk to get to the site but it is easy enough.

For more sites in Co. Offaly, click here.

For more ecclesiastical sites, click here.

View of the well as you approach from the pathway.

Odd stone seat and some architectural fragments.

Stone near the well. I don't know if this has any significance or not.

The rag tree.

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Killina, Holy Well, Mass Rock and Bullaun Stone, Co. Offaly.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:23:00 +0000

Location – A few km West of Tullamore.
OS: N 273 238 (map 48)
Longitude: 7° 35' 26.99" W
Latitude: 53° 15' 49.91" N
GPS: N 27241 23805 (Accuracy – 7m)
See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – There is more to this place than meets the eye. It has obviously been well looked after in the past few years and I don’t really like the modern inscriptions on the stones, but that’s the price being paid for maintenance. The well, dedicated to St. Anthony, is now dried up but everything about it screams ancient to me. The well and the mass rock are instantly reminiscent of megalithic tombs. This is an area largely absent of megalithic tombs so I’m not saying that it is their origins but that is what they reminded me of. There is an unmarked bullaun stone here as well. I spent some time here looking around. There are many large boulders here, all of them now marked with modern inscriptions emphasising aspects of Ireland’s penal times. Well worth a visit.

Difficulty – It’s down a little track way so parking is a little tricky but possible.

For more sites in Co. Offaly, click here.
For more ecclesiastical sites, click here.

St. Anthony's well.

I really dislike the carving on the lintel.

The mass rock in front of the well.

Graffiti reading '1706' in the mass rock.

The unmarked bullaun.

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Kilmanman, Church, Co. Laois.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:21:00 +0000

Location – Not far from Clonaslee in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
OS: N 305 124 (map 54)
Longitude: 7° 32' 38.26" W
Latitude: 53° 9' 40.49" N
GPS: N 30474 12351 (Accuracy – 5m)
See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – Named after St. Manman this church was the centre of a late medieval parish and the ruin dates to the late 16th century. It’s fairly large for a parish church and is nearly 20m in length and 10m wide. The church is largely featureless but does have the remains of a bellcote. There is a small barrel vaulted chamber which appears to be much later in date than the original construction. This is a very picturesque church. There was a holy well nearby also dedicated to St. Manman but I could not find this. It was disused in the 19th century so I think all traces of this well have disappeared.

Difficulty – Easy enough to find and get to.

For more sites in Co. Laois, click here.
For more ecclesiastical sites, click here.

The remains of the bellcote.

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Baurnadomeeny, Wedge Tomb, Co. Tipperary.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:56:00 +0000

Location – Just North of Rear Cross, it’s signposted and is a field in from the road.
OS: R 846 601 (map 59)
Longitude: 8° 13' 40.03" W
Latitude: 52° 41' 30.83" N
See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – This ranks amongst one of my favourite sites in the country and I can’t understand why this is not a much more visited site and much more looked after. It’s not neglected by any means but could do with a little care and attention. Again connected with Diarmuid and Grainne this tomb appears to have multiple alignments with different chambers aligned with different important sunrises. The tomb is surrounded by a double kerb, 16m and 11m in diameter respectively. The outer kerb is a largest but no stones stand above 1m in height. The tomb is very long, roughly 5m long with a septal stone creating the portico and main chamber. The capstone at the front appears to be carved on the inside to create a small channel. I wonder if this allows the sun to flow into the chamber. There are also some small carvings, of no particular pattern, on some of the inner stones, but I have not been successful in locating these. Some cairn material remains on top. This is a fantastically preserved tomb and really well worth traversing the muddy field to get there.

Difficulty – A little tricky as the field before the tomb is very muddy and after rain it is prone to flooding. Wellies are a must here.

For more sites in Co. Tipperary, click here.
For more Neolithic Tombs, click here.

The rear of the tomb.

The double kerb.

It's rare to see some of the cairn material left on top.

Looking into the chamber.

Small stones used in construction to get the right height of the stones.

Groove in the underside of the capstone.

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'Cloghfadda,' Baurnadommeny, Standing Stone, Co. Tipperary.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:10:00 +0000

Location – Just North of Rear Cross.
OS: R 846 603 (map 59)
Longitude: 8° 13' 40.06" W
Latitude: 52° 41' 37.3" N
See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – This is a great standing stone and it’s amazing that it’s still here. It juts out right onto the road and, although it’s a quiet country road, it’s a miracle that nothing has hit it. The only place to pull in to see it this is right next to it and I think it’s only a matter of time before someone backs their car into it. It stands about 2m high and is connected to Diarmuid and Grainne. Diarmuid carried this stone on his back and Grainne carried a smaller one, which is now missing. However, there is another standing stone in this townland with a fallen stone nearby and I think that the myth may be referring to these stones instead (I need to get out and see these). This stone is very close to a nearby wedge tomb and I’m assuming that the stone was placed here because of the tomb and may be related to it in some way. This is a great stone to go and see.

Difficulty – Easy to spot, just don’t knock it over.

For more sites in Co. Tipperary, click here.
For more standing stones, click here.

Looking towards the nearby wedge tomb, barely visible against the trees.
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Shanballyedmond, Court Tomb, Co. Tipperary

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:04:00 +0000

Location – South of Rear Cross and the R503 in the foothills of the Slievefelim mountains.
OS: R 842 588 (map 66)
Longitude: 8° 14' 1.1" W
Latitude: 52° 40' 48.72" N
See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – This is an impressive tomb and is right in the middle of an area that is riddled with wedge tombs. Unfortunately, the surrounding landscape is residential and trees spoil the relationship that this tomb has with the geography of the area. The tomb was excavated in 1958 and partially restored. All capstones are now missing but the tomb boasts a kerbed cairn roughly 12.5m long and 9.5m wide in a U-shape, characteristic of wedge tombs and considering the proximity of many wedge tombs this is hardly surprising. The court (4 x 3m) leads to a gallery with 2 chambers divided by a single jamb stone. The entrance to the chamber is formed by two jamb stones and both chambers are roughly the same size (2m x 2m). The chamber is closed at the rear end by three stones. Some of the stones in the tomb reach just short of 2m. Excavations revealed a series of 34 post holes surrounding the tomb about 2m from the kerb. This indicates that there was a wooden element to the overall structure or perhaps a wooden structure predating the stone tomb. Bones of 6 Neolithic people were found with flint arrow heads, stone implements and some pottery.

The tomb is impressive but I feel it has been let down by the changes to the landscape. Any alignments are lost because of the trees and picnic tables sit only meters from the tomb making it appear like a garden feature more than an ancient tomb.

Difficulty – Easy to get to. There is a car-park and information board.

For more Neolithic tombs, click here.
For more sites in Co. Tipperary, click here.

The remains of the cairn and kerb.

Looking into the chambers from the court.

The rear of the second chamber. There are two non-functioning jambs at the base of these rear stones.

The jamb stones dividing the chambers.

Looking out into the court from the first chamber. Sorry about my shadow.

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Lackamore, Wedge Tomb, Co. Tipperary.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:55:00 +0000

Location – On Corbally Hill in the Arra Mountains, not far from ‘The Graves of the Leinstermen’ and close to the Killaloe slate quarries.
OS: R 770 788 (map 59)
Longitude: 8° 20' 27.36" W
Latitude: 52° 51' 36.25" N
GPS: R 77039 78843 (Accuracy - 5m)

See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – Given that this wedge tomb is close to the Killaloe slate quarries it is a miracle that it wasn’t swallowed up by them. Nevertheless, this tomb is in poor condition. All of the capstones are either missing or out of place and it would be easy to assume that you were looking at a random pile of stones. In fact the owner of the land was unaware that there was a tomb on his land and pointed me off towards a natural rock outcrop on his land. It just happened that I passed the stones and recognised them for what they were. The double walling remains on one side and this gives the tomb away. I wish I had seen the farmer after seeing the tomb to I could tell him where it was but he was gone. I will pop back when in the area to make sure he hasn’t mistakenly removed them. A septal stone also remains and the tomb is about 2.5m in length. In its day this would have been an impressive tomb. Still worth a visit if you are in the area.

Difficulty – This tomb is exactly where it says it is on the map and is just inside a field gate. However, the roads are narrow and the drive through the slate quarries can be a little hair-raising. The road up to the field is little more than a track and unless you have a four wheeled drive I would recommend parking and walking.

For more sites in Co. Tipperary, click here.
For more Neolithic tombs, click here.

The tomb as you approach from the field gate. It is fairly close to the track next to the field.

Stunning views from this tomb.

Looking into the collapsed chamber.

The double walling which is distinctive to wedge tombs.

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Coolbaun, Standing Stones, 'The Graves of the Leinstermen,' Co. Tipperary.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 11:41:00 +0000

Location – On Tountinna Hill in the Arra Mountains near Killaloe and Ballina and overlooking Lough Derg.
OS: R 732 779 (map 59)
Longitude: 8° 23' 53.72" W
Latitude: 52° 51' 3.64" N
GPS: R 73173 77855 (Accuracy – 5m)
See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – This has to the place with the most impressive name and the most unimpressive remains in Ireland. Driving towards this site, situated in the Arra mountains, you are bombarded with large brown signs with ‘The Graves of Leinstermen’ in big block letters. When you arrive at the location you are then left with a game of hunt the standing stones. There is nothing to indicate where they actually are. I assumed that they were in the field below me which was open and full of glacial debris. Up the mountain (Tountinna) is full of gorse and nearly impassable yet, that is where the stones are. Walking along the road in desperation I found a small opening in the gorse which looked well trodden. This led to an opening in which was a small, 1m high, standing stone. This is the Graves of the Leinstermen. There are several smaller stones located around but many of these are overgrown. The build up is really not worth the return and the best thing about this site is the stunning views of Lough Derg nearby.

There is an interesting Legend about the name of this site. The King of Leinster was to attend a wedding in Limerick and had to cross enemy territory to get there. Allied with Vikings and with a contingent of men they crossed Toutinna to avoid detection. They were, however, found and slaughtered on the hillside and buried under the stones.

Difficulty – It’s high up but easy to drive to but actually trying to find the stones can be a little tricky.

For more standing stones, click here.
For more sites in Co. Tipperary, click here.

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Ballycowan Castle, Co. Offaly.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:23:00 +0000

Location – Along the Grand Canal just outside of Tullamore to the West.
OS: N 295 252 (map 48)
Longitude: 7° 33' 29.61" W
Latitude: 53° 16' 33.84" N
GPS: N 29467 25171 (Accuracy – 8m)

Description and History – This castle is an absolute gem. I had a lot of fun exploring what this castle had to offer and I don’t think I saw it all. It is somewhere that often comes to mind and I want to go back and explore it again. This castle is situated in the banks of the Grand Canal although it predates it. It was built in 1589 as a fortified house by Thomas Morres on the site of a former O’Molloy castle called Baile-mhic-Abhainn which was destroyed by fire in 1557. The five storey tower of the castle was built in 1626 by Sir Jasper Herbert and his wife Lady Jane Finglas. The land was granted to Herbert during plantations. The castle remained in the Herbert family until 1666 when it passed into the hands of the Earl of Mountrath. Possibly surrounded by a bawn wall the SW portions of this castle are now missing and a certain amount of rubble still remains at the site. The ground floor is partially underground and consists of four barrel vaulted chambers which functioned as kitchens and storerooms. It was in here that I had the most fun. Where a large chunk of wall had collapsed it has punctured a hole into one of these chambers. I climbed inside and had a look around the dark chambers. Considering these chambers have taken severe blows from falling walls they cannot be too stable but I took the risk. I couldn’t access all the chambers as some were blocked off.

A very interesting aspect of this castle is its chimneys. There are six visible chimney stacks. Three are bunched together, two sit together and one sits on its own. These are visible from quite a distance and led to the castle being nicknamed the 3-2-1 after its chimneys and it became a meeting point along the canal.

Difficulty – I was a bit confused about access here. There is a stile into the field with the castle, yet part of it is clearly in the grounds of a farmhouse. I tried to ask permission so nobody was home so I only looked at the part of the castle that was in the adjacent field.

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Fireplace, halfway up one of the internal walls.

The wonderful chinmeys.

The 3-2-1.

Machicolation.

The coat of arms is still intact and this is very rare.

Inside the tower.

Section of now destroyed wall.

This fallen section of wall has broken its way into the vaults underneath.

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Kilbride, Church, Co. Offaly.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:24:00 +0000

Location – Along the banks of the canal, W of Tullamore.
OS: N 304 253 (map 48)
Longitude: 7° 32' 36.66" W
Latitude: 53° 16' 39.11" N
GPS: N 30447 25340 (Accuracy – 6m)
See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – There is little left of this canal side church but it boasts a long history. A church was originally located here in the 8th century when Irish monks were establishing many communities in the area. The present structure is late medieval and may not have had a long period of usage as the Penal Laws brought an end to Catholic worship here as it did to many other churches throughout Ireland. The present church is badly ruined and measures 16m x 7.5m. The E and W walls survive to full height but the N wall has collapsed in recent years destroying very fine Latin inscribed gravestone underneath it. The graveyard contains some very nice gravestones.

Difficulty – Easy to find on the canal side. Ample parking.

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Recently collapsed section of wall.

I think this portion of wall will collapse soon.

There are some lovely late medieval grave stones here.

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Castletown, Church, Co. Tipperary.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:34:00 +0000

Location – Near the shores of Lough Derg, near Castletown fortified house. Not listed on the OS map.
OS: R 735 815 (map 59)

Longitude: 8° 23' 37.31" W
Latitude: 52° 53' 1.62" N
GPS: R 73481 81458 (Accuracy – 10m)
See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – As with the nearby castle, it was the end of the day when we arrived here by accident and a grave was being dug at the time we were there so we decided to leave them to it and not disturb them. This is a small late medieval church in surprisingly good repair. Most churches that I visit from this era are just walls covered in ivy. This has had some restoration work done to it and is easily accessible. The church is listed in the Royal Book of Visitations and lists a Daniel Kennedy as the vicar in the 17th century, although when in the century I don’t know. This is a lovely little ruin and very well kept.

Difficulty – Not listed on the OS map. Ample parking.

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Castletown, Fortified House, Co. Tipperary.

noreply@blogger.com (The Standing Stone) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:29:00 +0000

Location – On the shore of Lough Derg, this site is not marked on the OS maps.
OS: R 734 816 (map 59)

Longitude: 8° 23' 41.19" W
Latitude: 52° 53' 4.55" N
GPS: R 73428 81591 (Accuracy 8m)
See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – This is a site that I will definitely have to revisit. It was at the end of a long day and I didn’t even know that this place existed. We were driving back from a day visiting other sites in the area and we saw this as we drove past. The light was fading so we didn’t have time to have a closer look. This is a three storey rectangular fortified house with a ruined entrance. I could find no details of its history.

Difficulty – Follow the co-ordinates as this is not marked on the map. There is ample place to stop and park. Permission is necessary as this is in someone’s front garden.

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