Derrylossary Church Co Wicklow

                                         Above Image: The entrance gate

                                         Above Image: View of the interior

                                Above 2 Images: The bullaun within the grounds

                    Above Image:  The proximity of the outer bullaun to the West wall

                                  Above 2 Images: The bullaun outside the wall
                



This is a fairly recent ruin the last service being held here in 1968 and then abandoned due to diminishing patronage. In the mid 1980's the Church was stripped of it's roof and laid bare to the elements.
The Church is made up of two sections the original part was a simple nave and was depicted in a drawing by George Petrie in 1820. Around that time an expansion was made to the Church and a tall bell tower was added in the 1830's. It is believed that remnants of the medieval Church that stood here are included in the Prue-expansion section. The site although designated Church of Ireland contains many Roman Catholic graves. One notable grave in the Churchyard is that of former President of Ireland Erskine Childers.
While the ruin itself is aesthetically pleasing to the eye sitting on a hill adjacent to Scarr mountain and surrounded by bucolic countryside it is inaccessible unless you clamber in through one of the window apertures. But it is really fairly plain inside not full of nooks and crannies like the medieval Church ruins and so not worth the effort. The tower itself also remains locked. Interestingly enough there are a number of bullaun stones in the area and two of them lie close to the ruins and are worth seeing.
The first stone is situated within the graveyard down a set of stone steps near the West wall near the bell tower. It contains two "cups" one 6" in diameter and the other 14". The second stone is in a field just over the West wall. This contains three "cups" one measuring 12.5" another 11.5" and a third partially formed one at 7". These bullauns are fascinatng and are generally thought to be designed to capture rainwater for healing purposes. Some are also thought to be utilised to grind corn. A word of caution, if climbing over the wall to see the outer stone be wary of the capstones on the top of the wall as some are loose. I found this out the hard way when one of the larger ones came loose and dropped hard only millimetres from my foot!
Allin all a mixed bag then but a very attractively placed ruin with some interesting features. Worth a stop if in the area
To find the ruins take the M11 Dublin to Wexford motorway and at junction 15 take the exit for the L5067 heading West. At the junction with the R764 turn right and drive for approx.12Km until you come to a junction with the R755 signposted for Laragh. There will be a large Church in front of you at this junction. Turn left and drive for approx.1.5KM until, you see a left hand turn for the L5077 and a sign pointing to Derrylossary. You will find the ruins about 150m down this narrow road on the left. 

Rathmacnee Castle Co Wexford

                                         Above Image: Lane way and bawn

                                 Above 2 Image: Views of the complete bartizan

                             Above Image: The tower, entrance and machiolation

                                   Above Image: Close up of the machicolation

                               Above Image: Entrance arch with modern dwelling

                                  Above Image: Inside the ground floor chamber

                              Above Image: Steps from the ground floor upwards

                               Above Image: Great fireplace on floor above vault

                                               Above Image: A garderobe?

                                  Above 3 Images The walkway at the tower top

                              Above Image: Steps leading to the bawn walkway


One of the nicer castle finds in County Wexford, Rathmacnee lies well off the beaten track down a lane way but is a must to make a visit to.
It is believed to have been built in 1451 by John Rossiter whose family owned and kept a number of castles in this area. They were disenfranchised of all their possessions by Cromwell in 1650 but Rathmacnee remained in use until the 1760's then afterwards fell into ruin.
The tall five storey tower is situated at the South East corner of a five sided bawn most of which still stands apart from a large section of the South wall. A modern house has been incorporated into the West wall and it is here that you can obtain a key to access the tower.
As you enter through the arched bawn gate you will notice a large machicolation above it which would have been used to pour boiling liquids and such down upon any assailants.
The castle and bawn are tucked neatly alongside an adjacent churchyard in a lane way. The tower on first view leaves a lasting impression as it dominates the site. The entrance gate leads you into what would have been the courtyard but is now a well manicured garden for the house. It is possible to ascend a set of steps just inside the gate on the right which brings you up to a wall walk on the bawn. On the bawn itself are two rounded bartizans one of which is incomplete. But by far the most interesting feature is of course the tower. Once inside you are confronted with a murder hole above the doorway, a set of stone steps to your left and a large vaulted chamber directly ahead of you. This chamber is quite large and covers the height of two floors. Above the vaulted ceiling is the stone floor of the third level which you can access. The steps from there lead all the way to the top and are steep and narrow in places. All the flooring above the third level is missing as is the roof. Some of the walls have mural chambers.
When you reach the top you can access most of what is left of the wall walk. At most times this is kept locked as according to the owners schoolchildren frequently visit and the walkway is not railed.
The top of the tower is crenellated and there are corner turrets all adding to the unique and decorative look. The views from up here are really worth the climb and from this aspect you can peer back down into the innards of the tower to the various chambers and fireplaces.
We called in here on a summer evening and found the owners quite friendly. We also had the castle to ourselves to explore which is always a plus. We were really excited by our visit here as there was quite a lot to see and the clambering about gave us the appetite we needed to tackle a dinner back at he Hotel at which we were staying. The site is a national monument and there is some information posted on the tower wall.
If you like climbing this one is definitely for you.
To find the ruins take the N25 Wexford to Rosslare road and approx. 2KM after the Rosslare road roundabout you will see a right hand turn for the R739 to Kilmore Quay. Take this turn and drive for approx. 2KM and take the 2nd turn right that you come across. Drive again for approx. 600m and you will see a sign for the castle pointing right down a narrow lane with a walled graveyard and the ruin of a recent church adjacent. You can park safely at the end of the lane.

Glencullen Standing Stone Co Dublin

                              Above Image: Close up of this ancient quartz stone

                               Above Image: It's close proximity to roadside wall

This interesting quartz standing stone is situated on the edge of a golf course in Glencullen. It is believed it could be up to 3700 years old. Originally part of a pair of stones it now stands alone, its sibling lost to time. Legend has it that Viking invaders used both stones in a game of "Rings" The dazzling quartz illuminates in sunshine and changes colour at sunset. As it is now set upon a golf course access can be prohibited as the owners are wary of would be visitors being hit by a golf ball! However it is a national monument as the adjacent sign attests and there is a field gate although locked that can be climbed over and if you keep to the perimeter wall upon entry and then cross over to the stone when parallel to it you should be safe enough.
The stone stands approx. 6 feet high above ground although again legend has it that it extends downwards into the ground three times that length. I don't know if there is any truth to this but I don't think anybody is likely to start digging to find out. The locals call the stone Queen Mab which could be a reference to the fairy Queen mentioned in Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet but it is more likely that it refers to the mythological Queen Medb of Connaught.
The whole area around here is a treasure trove of megalithic stones and graves and this stone was probably part of a network of way markers or for use in tribal ceremonies. Standing alongside it today one can't help musing over what it might have witnessed in those ancient times.
To find the standing stone take the R117 Kilternan to Enniskerry road and at the Blue wooden church take a turn right onto the R116 (Ballybetagh Rd) towards Glencullen. Drive until you reach Johnnie Fox's pub and turn left at the crossroads just beyond it onto the Barrack Rd. About 200m along you will see a field gate on your left. Park here and you will spot the stone in the field on the edge of the golf course. Be careful crossing especially if the course appears to be in use. A word of caution for the those driving. If you decide to continue on down the Barrack road you will reach a very steep set of narrow bends known as the Devil's Elbow that is not termed that lightly. If you are in anyway a nervous driver it would be advisable to return by way of the Ballybetagh Road.

Old Tipper Church Co Kildare

                                          Above Image: The entrance stile

                                        Above Image: The chamber entrance

                                Above Image: View out from within the chamber

                                       Above Image: East face of the cross

                                        Above Image: West face of the cross

                                    Above Image: One of the ancient stones

This one is disappearing quickly! The medieval Church of Tipper is almost entirely covered in ivy with only partial walls visible and yet it is still worth a visit. It is certainly an eerie spot even on a bright sunny day.
The first mention of a Church here was by Pope Innocent III in 1216 who referred to the Church at Tobar (translates to "Well" indicating the presence of a holy well). The name Tobar has changed over time to Tipper. This probably one time parish Church stands on elevated ground within a graveyard enclosure and appears even under heavy vegetation to have both gable ends standing. The structure measures approx. 18 feet end to end with a gap in the centre where walls have collapsed. Indeed the ruins are so heavy with ivy that I think it may in time cause further damage.
Within the central and uneven interior there is a chamber in the Western side with an iron gate. The gate is unlocked so it's possible to enter the chamber. It's quite dark in there but a light will reveal the vaulted ceiling above. On this occasion we had only a small penlight torch with us. The chamber is not that big but it certainly oozed a very creepy atmosphere, probably the claustrophobic space, but still it gave us the feeling of not wanting to linger around too long in there. We tried to photograph the ceiling but to no avail as our penlight was useless and no camera setting would capture it.
The graveyard was assessed in the past and some interesting items uncovered including a very decorative cross that has now been reset and now stands alongside the ruins. It is dated 1616 and is believed to be a commemoration to one John Delahyde and his wife Margery Walsh. One of the designs upon it depicts the crucifixion.
The enclosure seems to be deteriorating somewhat with dense weeds and such running fairly rampant. The entry gate in the Western boundary wall is so tied up with overgrowth that it difficult to open but at least there are rough stiles on either side one of which affords easy enough access.
Once inside the enclosure the ground is very uneven underfoot but it is still possible to carefully circumnavigate the ruins and see some of the ancient stones that lie hidden in the weeds.
All in all a bit of a sad state of affairs then but if the ivy could be cleared it would make such a huge difference. However having said that if you happen to be in the area do make a stop and check out the creepy chamber within.
To find Tipper ruins take the N81 Dublin to Tullow road and as you exit the main street in Blessington heading south there is a right hand turn signposted for the R410 to Naas. Take this turn and drive for approx. 8KM until you reach a crossroads. This has two right hand turns in close proximity. The first is for the L2019 to Kill, but it is the second that you need to take signposted for the L6035 to Johnstown. Drive for approx. 600m and you will see the graveyard on your right. You can park on a slightly wider part of the road a little way past the enclosure.

Fraine Castle Co Meath

                                 Above Image: The North & West facing walls

                                     Above Image: Remains of the West wall

Fraine Castle is situated on what was once the perimeter of The Pale. Built primarily for defense it may have been one of the £10 Castles from the 1400's commissioned by the Crown that dot the length of  The Pale's borders. It is likely that a garrison would have been stationed here to ward off any would be assailants. As with the fate of many Irish Castles it probably came under attack during the Cromwellian invasion and what little remains today is a testament to the cannon power involved. George Tyner's "Traveller's guide through Ireland" published in 1794 mentions the Castle as being in ruins.
We came across the Castle en-route from Athboy in search of Tremblestown Castle near Kildalkey (See earlier post here) Not expecting to see anything on this particular stretch of road it was a surprise to see the tall ruin directly in front of us. It is situated on the edge of a field at a rural crossroads. The North facing wall and partial West wall are all that remain but the North wall stands to full height allowing us to see that it was a four storey tower. A ditch and hedgerows divide the ruins from the road. I'm sure there's access to the field but I don't think that you would get any more advantage than the view from the roadside which in itself is quite dramatic.
There seems to be very little information on Fraine so if anybody can shed some more light I would be grateful. In any case it's good to document it's name and location.
To find the ruins, take the N51 from Athboy towards Delvin. Just as you are leaving Athboy there are two left turns in close proximity. Take the second turn with the sign pointing to FR. MURPHY F.C. This is Castle Avenue. Drive for approx. 2KM and you will see the ruins on your left. You can park on the road at the crossroads.