Clondalkin Gunpowder Mill & Millrace Co Dublin

 

                                        Above Image: Entrance to park pathway

                                          Above Image:  Approaching the bridge.

                       Above Image & Below 2 Images: Parts of the Millpond & Stream

                                Above Image & Below 3 Images: Remains of the Mill

                           Above Image & Below Image: The Millrace and old position 

                                                                              of the Mill wheel.

Situated within the same park environments the Clondalkin oil mills lie the remnants of one of the former nine gunpowder mills that were a very productive enterprise during the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Near the fishing pond within Corkagh park it is possible to view at least partial remains of a mill, its millpond and millrace.

The mills here originated in 1716 established by the Huguenot Grueber family and ran until gunpowder production ended just under a century later in 1815.

During their run a minor explosion occurred in 1733 and a much more devastating one in 1787 which destroyed an entire mill, caused local damage and was heard several miles away. Static electricity or a rogue spark may have been the cause in what would have been a very volatile environment. Many workers in this environment would over time have suffered health issues arising from the inhalation of toxins from sulphur and lead material.

Following the cease of gunpowder production the remaining buildings were adapted for agricultural use until around the mid 1900s

The very fact that there are any traces of the former mills here is a testament to the creators of Corkagh Park and the decision not to demolish what was left but to preserve it within the modern park layout. Not all the remains can be accessed easily as they are incorporated into new developments but the ruins adjacent to the park's fishing pond are easily found and navigated, with care taken especially around the millrace where water still runs swiftly. 

I was fascinated to see not just the remnants of the mill but particularly the millrace and position of where the mill wheel once operated. You can clearly see where the shaft that held the wheel was inserted in the wall.

Mill ruins of many sorts are really interesting to see but even this small site retains a picture of a time gone by that could so easily have been filled in and tarmacked over. Indeed the old oil mill within the park (see previous post here) has been cleared and made more visible. I will probably revisit it and explore the grounds a bit more in regard to the gunpowder mills while I'm there.

To find the ruins take the entrance to the park off the Grange Castle road (R136) and park in the car park. Take the pathway from the end of the car park and about 40 metres ahead the pathway forks. Take the right fork and follow the pathway approx. 80 metres crossing a metal fenced bridge over a stream leading to the fishing pond on the left. Once over the bridge head into the grass and shrubbery to your right and you come across the remains.

GPS: 53.308987, -6.420635

  

Old Allen Church Co Kildare

 

                                                 Above Image: Entrance gate

                                   Above Image & Image Below: Fr. Moore memorial

                                               Above Image: Northeast aspect

                                         Above Image: View to Northwest Gable

                                                    Northwest window (interior)

                                              Above Image: Southwest aspect

We found ourselves returning to the backwaters of Kildare once again and as on many other occasions where we presumed we had seen everything, up pops another ruin that we had overlooked. 

I was researching the history around Father Moore's well (see previous post here) when the old church at Allen was mentioned. So on a quiet sunny weekday in July we headed out to locate this small church ruin.

The history behind the church at Allen is scant. Indeed its employment was quite short, just shy of a century. It was built in 1773 in a common for the time single cell rectangular style and was taken out of service in 1872 when a new and bigger church was constructed to serve the community. 

We parked adjacent to the small pillared entrance gate which had a chain around the centre boding a possible no entry. But all was not so. The chain was simply clipped around to hold the gates together. The surrounding graveyard was in use until the 1940's but remains well maintained today. A great deal of this attention may be virtue to the fact that Father Moore, a well renowned priest and healer, is buried here. We had visited his memorial well a small distance away previously and again here in the church ruins a plaque displays how well regarded he was in the area. 

The ruin itself has three of its walls intact to varying degrees with  partial walls of ancillary buildings attached to the Southwest and Northeast facing walls.

On the North west gable there are the remains of a large decorative window with the top tip now non-extant. It is still nonetheless very striking.

Not too far from these ruins back on the road to Milltown is the famous Aylmer's Folly sitting on the top of the Hill of Allen (see previous post here) which may be a little more difficult to find parking at these days to when we had made our visit.

To find the church ruin at Allen take the junction 13 exit off the M7 motorway following the R415 into Kildare town. Go straight through the roundabout at the Kildare Village outlet until you reach a T-junction with the R445. Turn right here and drive into the town until you reach the square and turn left up the road opposite Daniel Boland's bar. This is a continuance of the R415. Drive approx. 5KM until you reach a T-junction at Milltown. Turn left and drive approx. 3KM until you see the pub The Leap Inn on your right. There is an ample room for car parking opposite and the gate to the ruin is adjacent to the pub on it's Northern end. Remember to re-chain the gate while there and upon leaving.

GPS: 53.239380, -6.854478

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