Old Kilkea Church & Chapel Co Kildare

 

                                                   Above Image: Church ruins

                                            Above Image: The castle driveway

                                    Above Image: Ruins as seen from the car park

                                          Above Image: Fitzgerald family plot

                                            Above Image: One of the stone fonts

                                               Above Image: The Monkey stone

                                  Above Image: Fitzgerald coat of arms stone marker

                                   Above Image: Kilkea castle as seen from the ruins

This little mixture of ruins stands on raised ground South East of the Kilkea Castle Hotel, a castle built by Hugh De Lacy in 1180AD. The castle, once a Fitzgerald stronghold, was refurbished and now serves as a luxury hotel and a fabulous place to stay. 

The ruins of the former 13th century parish church and two 16th century chapels co-exist amongst a clutter of trees.

The remains of the once powerful Lords of Leinster are buried here in an area adjacent to the ruins surrounded by iron railings. One chapel shares a common border with the older church's chancel on it's Northern side. The later chapel was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Access to these ruins is very easy. Although we were guests at the hotel and could explore the grounds, there is public access by way of a road that runs from one side of the hotel estate to the other. People are seen frequently taking their daily constitutional through the winding paths of the castle

Once within the graveyard you are whisked away from the 21st century and the silence is only broken by the cawing of crows or the thwack of a golf ball being launched on the nearby course.

As well as the scattered ruins there are also couple of interesting artefacts to view here. Firstly are two medieval fonts, no doubt from the churches and several carved stones. To me the most interesting feature is what is called the "Monkey Stone". This plaque can be found placed in the West wall of the church. The monkey was part of the Fitzgerald coat of arms and in this carving it is depicted stretched out  and wearing a collar and chain. It is holding what appears to be a helmet. A story goes that a pet monkey that belonged to the Fitzgerald's in the 13th century apparently saved a Fitzgerald baby from a castle fire in Woodstock castle which we visited previously (see link here) and so earned a place on their coat of arms. The plaque dates back to the 16th century chapel times.

This site is well worth a visit if in the area and has a distinct atmosphere about it that is at odds with the 21st century castle grounds that surround it.

To find the ruins take the junction 3 exit from the M9 and take the N78 exit heading West to Athy. Drive approx. 9KM until you reach a roundabout with the depiction of a canal lock gates in the centre. Take the first exit left and on the next roundabout approx. 299m later turn left again onto the R418 signposted for Kilkea. Drive approx. 8KM until you see an entrance to the castle on your left with a gatehouse. Turn in here and follow the drive until you cross a small stone bridge. A short distance later take the left hand fork of the road as it divides and follow the sign for the clubhouse. Follow the road past the castle buildings on your right until you reach a car park on the left at the clubhouse/restaurant. The ruins are among the trees opposite the car park.

GPS:  52.943101, -6.885679

Fr. Moore's Well Co Kildare

 

                                     Above Image: The well & rag tree to the right.

                                              Above Image: Roadside entry gates.

                                             Above Image: The track to the well.

                                               Above Image: The well surround.

                                     Above Image: The well and its stepping stones.

                                              Above Image: Rules for intentions.

This ancient well formerly attributed to St. Brigid is now locally known as Fr. Moore's well. it is situated off the road between Kildare and Milltown on the Curragh in County Kildare.

This oft visited site has significance with the locals to Fr John Moore (1229-1826) who was appointed curate to the local village of Allen in 1803. Over the subsequent years he dedicated his life to healing and this young priest certainly appeared to have some healing powers of healing as many anecdotal tales of cures have attested down the generations. He often blessed the waters of this well which was formerly known as The Black Well and ushered people to seek a cure for their ailments from it's waters.. Born in Rathbride, Fr. Moore was celebrated in 1952 by its residents by the naming of the well after him. Also there was the construction of a decorative surround to the well designed by Patrick McCormack. Fr Moore himself is buried in the churchyard in nearby Allen.

When we visited on an Autumn evening it was very much deserted and so we had a good look around the site noting the rag tree which can also be found at many other wells.

The modern well surround is circular and has three stepping stones within it so the visitor can partake in a particular ritual as displayed on a sign within the walls. To avail of the healing powers it suggests the following:

 First:       Say the rosary of the Virgin Mary.

 Second:  Cross the stepping stones from North to South and

                pray for Fr. Moore and his parents. Pray for your

                own intentions and bathe your ailment (if any) with water 

                from the well. 

 Third:     Say three Hail Mary's in honour of the purification

                of the Blessed Virgin.

 One visit is then complete. 

 You should make three visits for your intention. These are done usually on Fridays or Sundays and   should include confession and Holy Communion.

The well is situated in a very peaceful spot and certainly has a calming effect upon the visitor.

To find the well take the R415 heading North from Kildare Town towards Milltown. Drive approx. 5KM until you see a small lay-by on your right with a gateway that has white pillars and blue capstones. There is a sign here pointing to the well. You can park safely in the lay-by outside the gates. Use the small pedestrian gate on the right for entry and simply walk up the short track to the well.

GPS: 53.19271, -6.87412

Drumlane Abbey Co Cavan

 

                        Above Image: Approach lane with Lough Gafinny in backround

                                                 Above Image: Entrance gate

                                                Above Image: Western doorway

                                            Above Image: Nave and East gable

                                       Above Image: Southern doorway (interior)

                            Above Image & Below Image: Remnants from the church

                                              Above Image: Medieval grave slab

                          Above Image: View of west entrance from interior East gable

                                     Above Image & Below Image: The round tower

                                   Above Image: Skull & Crossbones grave marker

                                  Above Image: View of North wall and buttresses

This sizeable ruin lies by the shore of Grafinny Lough one of the 365 lakes that exist in County Cavan.  Drumlane Abbey is an important ecclesiastical site founded in 555AD by St. Columba (7 December 521 – 9 June 597 AD). The site is also associated with St. Aiden and St. Maedhog. What is extant today is an 12th century round tower and a medieval church building.

On the original site a wooden round tower and church were constructed but the tower was replaced with a stone construction by the Augustinian order in the 12th century and later by the stone church as seen today. There is a local tale that occasionally the bell from the original church can be heard to ring from the depths of the lough. The abbey was burned twice during the 13th century and found itself embroiled in various battles that took place during the 14th century. The church continued in use after the 17th century plantation as an Anglican place of worship and remained so until 1820 when a new church was constructed. Subsequently the old building was unroofed to avoid taxes and left to ruin. It was later taken under the care of the OPW as a national monument. This is a wonderful ruin. Its position close to the lough gives it a picture postcard look and it is so easily accessible for visitors.

We visited on an early summer's day just after a rain shower and the ozone lingered heavily in the air. A small rough lane leads down to the main gate. Once inside the gate the round tower stands defiantly on your left guarding the more modern cemetery. It stands approx. 38 feet high, maybe four storeys. but is missing its conical top thus making it uncertain how high it was originally. The main door is on the West facing gable and leads into the long rectangular interior. The East gable is complete and sports a large arched window. There is a single window in the South wall along with a smaller doorway and there are three arched windows in the North wall. Standing upright beside the smaller Southern exit is what appears to be an impressive grave marker. Indeed there are several remnants from the building laid out in the interior and also in a locked cage on the exterior of the South wall between two buttresses. The buttresses themselves were added in the later years of the church to add support to the side walls from the weight of the high angled roof. In recent years the OPW has been involved in some remedial  work patching up the masonry which in places has of late shown signs of moving outwards.

Within the cemetery on the South side of the church we found a round grave marker featuring a skull & crossbones, a bell, an hourglass and a coffin all supposed to represent the inevitability of death.

To find the ruin take the N3 Northwards from Butlers Bridge until you reach the junction with the N87 at the Belturbet roundabout. Turn left onto the N87 and drive approx 1.6KM until you reach a left hand turn signposted for the R201 to Killashandra. Turn left onto the R201 and drive approx. 2.5KM until you reach the small village of Milltown. Just past the Dumlane Bar, which is on your left, you come to a junction. Tale the narrow road between the buildings across the road following the sign for Drumlane Abbey. Drive down this road and you will spot the ruins ahead. There is a large free car park opposite the graveyard on your right. Access is down the narrow lane opposite the car park.

GPS Location:  54.05850, -7.47880

Old Knockmark Church Co Meath

 

                                            Above Image: The entry gate / stile

                                   Above Image: The North Eastern arched doorway

                                  Above Image: Steeple with South Eastern doorway

                                       Above Image: Interior of steeple looking up

                                            Above Image: South Western aspect

                                         Above Image: Remnant from the church

The remains of this Church of Ireland church are built on the site of a former medieval church which was destroyed by Cromwellian forces during the 17th century invasion of Ireland. It is located in the barony of LOWER-DEECE in County Meath.

The present ruin is from a church built in 1811 for £900 funded by the Board of First Fruits. The church served the protestant community until it was abandoned circa 1909 and left to fall into ruin. A local man subsequently bought the building and demolished all but the steeple using the material in other constructions.

Today, the steeple serves as a landmark for the small cemetery that surrounds it and is as quiet and bucolic a place you could ever find.

We visited on a mild Autumn day parking the car on the verge just outside the cemetery gate. We had been on a drive in the area and couldn't help noticing the steeple standing tall like an Apollo rocket ready to launch moonward.The ruin is accessed by way of the main gate or by an adjacent pedestrian-friendly stile in the form of several stone steps and handrail.

The base of the steeple has arched doors on the North East and South-East sides and rises to approx. three storeys high culminating in a further stone conical extension rising nearly a further storey in height.

Within the arched base area, which would have been the entry porch, lies a good deal of rubble, some from the non-extant Nave and some from the collapsed interior floors of the steeple. You can stand within the old porch and see right up to the conical top.

Quite a few of these old Protestant steeples can be found in Ireland devoid of their former naves and chancels but still providing striking landmarks in the countryside.

To find the ruin take the M3 Motorway and exit at junction 6 taking the R125 heading West for Kilcock. Drive until you reach a roundabout at Merrywell and take the third exit signposted for Drumree (L22082). Drive approx. 1KM and then take the first left turn. Drive down this road which bends right and then left bringing you to the gate of the cemetery. There is room to park at the gate.

Church Of The Rath Co Cavan

 

                                   

                                   Above Image: The South gable with coat of arms

                                                Above Image: The roadside gate.

                          Above Image & Below 3 Images: The whitewashed section

                                            Above Image: Decorative windows

                                         

                                       Above Image: A mausoleum in the interior

This small church ruin stands on the site of an ancient ringfort and is known as The Church of the Rath. It subsequently became the basis for the name of the community that surrounds it - Killeshandra.

An original church structure was built here in 1390 by the Augustinian order but was in ruin by the late 16th century following the dissolution of churches in Ireland by the English crown.

By the early 1600's there was a call for a church to service the Anglican community and the ruins we see today are what remains. It was built as one of the very few Jacobean-styled churches evident in Ireland and appears to have been under the patronage of the Hamilton family who were settlers from Scotland during the plantation. Later, in 1641 they had fled Castle Hamilton during the Confederate rebellion but following the war they returned and the town which had been razed to the ground was rebuilt. The small church was also restored. Sir Francis Hamilton was responsible for converting the building into a T shape and he also added some impressive gothic style windows.

The church remained in use for quite a long time until the construction of a new bigger Anglican church in 1841. Subsequently the old Church of the Rath fell into ruin.

We came across this ruin while exploring the area and found easy access from the roadside. A very noticeable feature is the large inserted stone in the front gable depicting the coat of arms of the Hamilton's. In fact Sir Charles Hamilton and his wife Catherine are buried within the confines of the church.

The South facing doorway provides entry to the interior. A small amount of restoration has been done inside with some roofing installed in one section and a lot of whitewashing of the walls. But the majority remaining is of the original bare stone with a couple of impressive stone window frames to view.

The surrounding graveyard appears to be in use although the grounds were a little overgrown at the time of our visit.

To find the ruin take the R198 out of Cavan and follow the road until you reach a T-junction at Crossdoney. Turn right and follow the sign for Killeshandra. Drive approx. 3KM until the R198  automatically changes to the R199. Follow this road until you enter the main street of Killeshandra. Continue on through the town until you pass the Lakeland Dairies building on your left. The wall of the churchyard is 100m ahead on your right. You can park outside this wall.