St Brigid's Fire Temple & Round Tower Co Kildare

                  Above Image: The fire temple foundations with Cathedral in backround

                       Above Image & Below 2 Images: Remnants from the old Abbey

                                                  Above Image: The Celtic cross

                                          Above Image: Base of the round tower

                                              Above Image: The entrance door

                                                  Above Image: The first ladder

                                                 Above Image: The top ladder

                    Above Image: View from the tower to the Celtic cross and cathedral

                                       Above Image: Aerial view of the fire temple

                   Above Image:Top of the tower. Some remnants of possible stone stairs
                                           on top of the gap
                   

                                     Above Image: View downwards from a ladder

                                       Above Image: The magnificent Cathedral

In Irish mythology St Brigid who was part of the legendary Tuatha De Danann was said to keep an eternal flame alight in a purpose built temple. This flame was continued on through the centuries throughout the spread of Christianity. It is recorded by Gerald of Wales in the 12^th century on a visit to Kildare that the flame was still alight being protected by a Brigidine order. Finally at the time of the reformation after more than a thousand years the fire was extinguished. The culprit is not completely certain but it may have been on the order of the Archbishop George Browne who was appointed by King Henry to Dublin. The fire was relit by the Brigidine order in 1993 and is now located at the Solas Bhride Centre.

The Fire temple was situated at the ancient pagan and later Christian site founded by St Brigid in the 5^th century which now facilitates the magnificent St Brigid’s Cathedral which is constructed on the site of the original Abbey that was built in 1223 but lay in ruins by the 18^th century. The magnificent new Cathedral was constructed  in the 19^th century.  A print from 1783 shows the old Abbey ruins and what appears to be the fire temple alongside. At this point its gables were still standing. The foundations of what are thought to be the temple were restored in 1988 and they stand approx. 20 inches from the ground. The shape is rectangular and a small set of steps lead into the enclosure which is now treated like a shrine with various items left by people somewhat in the manner of the Rag trees scattered across the country at holy wells.

Also on site is a large Celtic cross with the top half of the circular part missing. This ancient cross stands 9 feet tall but has not been dated. It certainly would have been part of the original Abbey and perhaps long before. There are also various stone remnants from the old Abbey placed around the outside of the cathedral.

The most prominent feature at this site has to be the 12^th century round tower. It is the second highest in Ireland the highest being at Kilmacduagh Co Galway (see earlier post here) The difference in the Kildare tower is that you can actually climb up inside it to the top. The only other tower in the Republic of Ireland that can be climbed is in Kilkenny but Kildare’s is  taller standing at 108 feet. A nominal fee (€4) is charged for entry and you ascend first to the entrance door on a set of metal stairs and then up through the tower by way of six sets of wooden ladders between wooden platforms. Daunting as this seems the Victorian ladders are quite solid and at a slight angle make the climb a little easier. Hand rails are present on each level to assist you stepping up. As you reach the last ladder you will see that the walls taper in a bit making it seem a little tight. On our visit there was a strong breeze blowing and this was really evident as we stepped out at the top. A wire cage has been constructed for safety but in no way inhibits the amazing views to be seen including an aerial view of the fire temple. Along the way you pass the bell floor which in this case has five windows where normally in round towers there are only four. The top of the tower is also unusual as its cone is missing being replaced with castellations. The floor is of stone and is a little uneven so care is needed. Descending took a little more time having to step back on the ladder with no guard rail to grip onto but really it was easy enough after that. There are 130 steps in all and the affable guide in the small hut at the base of the tower regaled us with stories of the people who had climbed it including a Canadian fireman who ran up the tower in just 50 seconds!

To find the fire temple and round tower take the junction 13 exit of the M7 for Kildare town. Cross over the motorway bridge and go straight through the roundabout on the other side and then again straight through the next roundabout at the Kildare village outlet. You will then reach a T-Junction. Turn right and follow this road into town. When you reach a set of traffic lights at a junction with Claregate St. with a large Boyle Sports building on your left, turn left here. You will see a parking area on your left. Park here and follow the line of shops behind the car park to the right passing Hartes Bar & Grill and this will lead you directly to the gates of the Cathedral.

Castle Rag Co Kildare

Here’s a small one to be getting on with. Constructed in the early part of the 15^th Century Castle Rag is typical of the type of tower house built on the £10 Castle grant initiated by King Henry VI in order to build modest but defensive Castles that would dot the perimeter of the pale in an effort to deter marauding Irish clans.  A good number of these tower houses were built and occupied as residences with battlements attached.

The ground floor in this Castle has a vaulted ceiling while the first floor is the residential part and contains a fireplace. The Battlements are constructed above this and on the North East corner there is a projecting turret. Ivy is beginning to encroach a little on the uppermost part.

This particular Castle lies on private land behind Jigginstown house on the outskirts of Naas and could so easily be anonymous as only those entering the housing estate adjacent would be likely to notice it. It can be viewed at a short distance from the roadside of this housing estate. I’d like to have had a closer look but there were several horses wandering around the field and the land had a real no go feel about it. If in the area again I will try to see if I can locate the landowner and get permission to access it.

For the best view of the ruins take the R445 from Naas main street towards Newbridge. About 1KM along you will pass an Aldi supermarket on your left. Take the first left turn after this and drive for approx. 130m until you see a right turn onto Primrose lane. Follow this a short distance to a T-junction with Primrose Avenue. Turn right at the junction and follow the road around a bend. Park along here. The castle can be seen in a field on the right behind a perimeter wall.

Old Ferns Abbey & Cathedral Co Wexford

                                              Above Image: Part of the vaulting

                          Above Image: Could be a bullaun but more like a cross base

                                               Above Image: Spiral stair in tower

                                       Above Image: Remains of the Cathedral

                                             Above Image: Cathedral North wall

                                             Above Image: Cathedral South wall

                                  Above 2 Images: Artefacts in the Cathedral area

A monastery was first founded here in the 6^th century by St Aidan (aka St M’Aodog) but it was in 1158 that Diarmuid McMurrogh first constructed an Abbey for the Augustinians. It was dedicated to St. Mary. While waiting on the Norman invasion to whom he was allied, McMurrough took refuge in the Abbey in 1167. The Abbey remained in use until the dissolution in 1539 when the lands were passed to the English crown.
The intriguing looking ruin is located in a field behind the current Church of Ireland building and is accessed through the grounds of said Church. The most striking feature is the unusual tower standing some 60 feet of which the lower half is square and the upper half round. There are narrow defensive windows in the upper half. Some of the barrel vaulting is still evident in the chancel of the Romanesque styled Church and there is also a sacristy to the rear of the chancel.
Adjacent to the Abbey are the remains of the 13^th century Cathedral founded by Bishop John St John. The cathedral came under attack by Fiach MacHugh O’Byrne in 1577. He was later forced to aid in rebuilding it. Only partial amounts of side walls of the chancel remain today containing 5 pointed arch windows in the North wall and just 1 in the South wall. There are some ancient crosses and grave slabs also on display here. Striking ruins that are easily accessed and worth seeing if in the area.
To find the ruins take the N11 Dublin to Wexford Road. The town of Ferns is directly on this route. As you enter the Town you will spot the large Church of Ireland Church on your left. You can park at the gate. The ruins of the Abbey & Cathedral can be accessed directly from these grounds.

Old Grallagh Church Co Dublin

                                           Above Image: Entrance gate & stile

                                                  Above Image: The Holy Stone

                                                  Above Image: The Holy well

                                               Above Image: Interior of the well

                                         Above Image: West gable of Church

                                                  Above Image: Foundations

                                          Above Image: Side view of West gable

This small ruin is located in a cemetery that is still in use that lies on a  by-road between Garristown and Oldtown in a particularly nice area of countryside in North Co Dublin.
The partial remains of a medieval Church consists of some of the foundations of the nave and partial remains of the West gable. Judging by the shape of the remaining foundations it would not have been a particularly large building to begin with. The remains are located on a grassy mound at the centre of the graveyard. Not much is known of the Church history but it fits the brief of many of the small parish churches constructed during that period. It is now unfortunately slowly crumbling away as the amount of stone rubble in its vicinity would attest. Our visit was not in vain though as the site also contains a couple of other interesting items.
The first is located outside the boundary wall at the entrance gate and is in the form of a large boulder. This is locally known as “The Holy Stone“. On one side a large hole passes right through it which in itself is unusual and legend has it that if you lie on your back adjacent to it and put your arm straight through the aperture it will cure any backache! Try it and see.
The second is a holy well which Inside the graveyard on the Southern perimeter path. This is reputedly dedicated to St Michael but there is some doubt to this. The well is housed beneath a stone structure which reminds me in its shape of St Kevin’s kitchen in Glendalough though without the little tower. There is an un-gated entrance and a set of steps down to the well. The top step has a carving of a shamrock upon it. On either side of the inner walls are two small alcoves containing cups if you wish to partake in the water, even though this is a holy well I’m not sure if this would be entirely healthy!  For a time the well waters had dried up but apparently this is no longer the case as there was a good deal of water visible when we visited and when disturbed air bubbles gurgled upwards indicating a conduit of some sort beneath the rocky floor.
So there you have it a mixed bag then but in a very bucolic setting and an interesting visit was had all the same.  To find the ruins take the M2 Heading North until you reach a roundabout with the N2 and R135. Take the left turn onto the N2 and drive for approx. 4km until you see a right hand turn for the L5007. Turn right onto this road and drive until you reach Garristown. As you approach the village go straight through the crossroads at the cemetery down a narrow road called chapel lane and you will reach a T-junction. Turn left and follow this road for approx. 4.5km until you reach another T-junction. Turn right following the signposted R122 towards Oldtown. About 400m later you will see a small lane way veering off the R122 to the right. Take this lane way and approx. 350m on you will reach the Grallagh cemetery which will be on your right.. You can park safely at the boundary wall.