Glasmore Abbey is believed to have been founded in the seventh century by St Cronan Mochua. It thrived under his tenure so much so that it unfortunately
drew undue attention from Danish invaders stationed in Malahide, a position
they held from where they executed raids and plundering on various Abbeys and Monasteries. Glasmore
was attacked and destroyed only a few decades after its construction and its
entire community ruthlessly slaughtered.
What is known today as Glasmore Abbey on actual viewing seems quite
small for a possible Abbey and indeed Fingal county Council have reported that
historically according to the Martyrology of Oengus and the well renowned Annals,
the Abbey was positioned South of Swords and not North as this structure is, so
this of course is leading to some confusion and doubt. The nearby St Cronan’s
well may have given the ruin association with the Saint but its true origin
remains a bit of a mystery. It is believed judging by the stonework to be dated
to the late medieval period which would certainly discount its authenticity as
the Abbey. It measures roughly 30 feet by 30 feet in size and is located on a
green area in a large modern housing development called Cianlea on the fringes
of Swords in County Dublin. The ruins have been surrounded by a fence for
protection as in July 2000 they were deemed dangerous by a council inspector
and the developer of the new housing estate agreed to clear off the ivy and
reinforce the walls where necessary so that development of the estate could go
ahead. Even with its surrounding fence it is still possible to see all aspects
of the ruin clearly. There are windows in all of the walls and a doorway on the
Northern side but the ruins show a structure of an unusual design not looking
particularly ecclesiastical and also as pointed out by the council not
containing evidence of a chimney that would indicate that it might have been some
form of dwelling.
So what is it? For certain it is listed on the 1837 ordnance
survey map as Glasmore Abbey (In Ruins) so it has been called that for nearly
200 years or more. But other than that there appears to be no other information
that would lend credence to it being the actual Abbey. In the past any
excavations have not revealed what remains to be part of a larger structure so it is what
it is. From the information I can garner we are still left with a doubt and a
continuing mystery. However in any case it is an unusual little ruin and worth
a look if you happen to be in the area.
To find the ruin take the R132 Northwards from the
roundabout at Dublin Airport and at the second roundabout thereafter (Pinnock
Hill Roundabout) turn left for Swords. Drive until you pass a pub with a
thatched roof called The Lord Mayor’s and take the next left hand turn onto Church
Road. At the top of the road at the large Church take a left hand turn onto
Brackenstown Road. Drive on until you
reach the sixth right hand turn which is St Cronan’s Avenue. Turn right onto
the Avenue and continue until you reach the third left hand turn into an estate
called Lioscian. Follow the road in around a left bend and turn right at the
T-junction. A few yards later turn right at the next T-junction. You will see
green area ahead at which you can park alongside. The ruins are in the green
area.
No comments:
Post a Comment