It was on a
really warm spring Friday that I found myself in the backwaters of Kildare on another
ruin hunt. I’d read that there was a medieval Church ruin at Duneany and so I
set about finding it. On locating the townland a drive down a long narrow lane
brought me to a gate in a stone wall. Beyond this a short wire fenced track led
into pastureland to another gate that sported a cross. I knew then that I’d
found it! This gate was part of a
circular enclosure wall and was unlocked but anticipation was slowly drowned as
I tried to navigate the uneven ground within that was covered with high grass.
A number of times I almost tripped on rocks hidden by the overgrowth. I could
not for the life of me see any ruins. Finally amongst the leaning weatherworn headstones
in a clump of trees and bushes in the centre of the enclosure I came across the
remains of a font which apparently dates back to approx. the 13th
century. This would date the Church to this time period also. According to
records this font was supposed to be located within the Church so I reckoned that
this must be where I was. Whatever remains of Duneany now is so covered over with vegetation that that I could only find traces of a wall strewn with dead ivy. I came
across something similar at Castlefarm (see earlier post here) but at least at that
location there was some more structure evident. What I’m increasingly finding on my
visits to these sites is the rising amount of decay not by natural erosion but
by neglect. Overgrowth is rampant in places. These historical structures are
part of the fabric of the landscape and while I appreciate that landowners
cannot afford the time or in many cases the cost of preserving these structures
I think that the maybe the OPW should become more involved at local level in
keeping these monuments visible. Many local authorities and indeed local people
often get involved in clean ups on ruins but sadly there are not enough of
these positive minded people around to deal with the more rural or remote
sites. This rant aside I still always get something out of my visits to these
ancient places and the feeling of antiquity always shines through no matter how
great or little there is to see.
To find
Duneany Churchyard take the M7 heading West and exit at junction 13. At the top
of the exit ramp take the first left hand turn onto the R415. Drive for approx.
800m until you reach a crossroads. Take the right hand turn onto the L7024 and
drive for approx. 6.5KM until you reach another small crossroads (There is a
bungalow with a conservatory on the right). Turn down the left hand lane at the
crossroads and approx. 400m along you will spot the Iron gate on your left. You
can park safely here.
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