Fennor Castle & Church Co Meath

                                    Above Image: Part of Medieval tower on top left

                              Above Image: North facing aspect with medieval tower

                                                Above Image: Medieval Church

                                 Above Image: Church with Castle in the backround

                                       Above Image: Boundary wall of graveyard

This interesting looking ruin greets you by the roadside as you enter the village of Slane from the South. The ruins overlook the nearby River Boyne. Its history is very patchy as far as the original builder goes but structurally it appears that it is a combination of a medieval tower house and a 17^th century stronghouse. Adjacent to it in the same field are the ruins of a small medieval church set in a walled graveyard. While listed on the 1837 ordnance survey map as Fennor Castle & Church it is only on the 1888 map that they are listed as in ruins. I suspect though the Church was in ruins far earlier.
The castle consists of two storeys and has evidence of a basement and an attic. The ground floor would have had a vaulted ceiling. On both the West and East gables are remains of tall chimneys. The taller section on the North face which really only comes properly into view from that aspect is part of a medieval tower possibly the type of £10 tower that were built at the behest of Henry Vi in 1429 to defend the pale. The remainder of the ruins are of a typical type of strong house popular in late Elizabethan times.
The Castle today stands in ruin in a field with an awkwardly high boundary wall making access difficult. There is evidence on the West boundary wall by a locked field gate that I found of a stone stile which would in the past have given access to the graveyard but there are no discernible steps now to climb over. Sheep wander around both the Castle ruin and the square boundary wall of the graveyard. A wooden fence surrounds the Castle and I believe that the field is maintained as private property although there are no signs to state this. There are some farm buildings opposite the West boundary wall and I suspect this would be the owner of the land. Being confined to an outside view it is still actually possible to see all aspects of the Castle and indeed on the Northern boundary you get a close-up of the church as well which consists of a simple nave and chancel. The overgrowth of ivy is beginning to take hold here. Again access to the ruins is only through the field as there are no other gates in the boundary wall.
Certainly worth a visit to see these ruins anyway in an area that has many other historical sites nearby.
To find Fennor Castle & Church simply take the junction 5 exit for the N2 off the M50 motorway and follow this road. It becomes the M2 for a brief time and then at a roundabout near Ashbourne simply take the left hand exit that becomes the N2 again. Follow this road for approx. 18KM until you reach the outskirts of Slane. You can’t miss seeing the Castle on your left. There is a little left hand turn just before the castle signposted L16002 and you can park up along the houses here.

Kenure Portico Co Dublin

                                                    Above Image: Initial view

                                     Above Image: Fine stone work on the columns

                                       Above Image: Some of the rebars exposed

                                      
                                 
Well you don’t come across something like this every day. At first I thought this was some sort of folly but in fact this fine portico is all that remains of Kenure House a large mansion that was built in 1827 on the site of an earlier house that was destroyed by fire. The house was designed by architect George Papworth who also amongst others designed Knights Bridge in Dublin (now known as Sean Heuston Bridge). The portico was added to the house in 1840. Kenure was the ancestral home of the Palmers the last one to reside there being Colonel Roderick Henry Fenwick-Palmer who strived to upkeep the property but in 1964 rising expenses on the estate drove him to auction off all the contents and sell the house to the land commission. Most of the land went to Dublin County Council who would eventually build St Catherine’s housing estate there. From 1965 to 1967 the house was leased for use in film productions and film producer Harry Alan Towers filmed parts of three films there namely “Ten little Indians”, “The Face of Fu Manchu” and “Jules Verne’s Rocket to the Moon”. The film "Ten Little Indians" in particular extensively used the house as a location. Subsequent to this period the house fell vacant and the Council found it hard to find a buyer. It remained vacant for more than a decade suffering dilapidation and vandalism. An act of arson put the house in a worse state and so in 1978 the council decided to demolish it. The only remaining part left standing was the portico and thanks to some local Rush residents who protested strong enough the Council reconsidered its proposed demolition. It now stands isolated and strange looking in the centre of a green area surrounded by modern housing.

I have to say it is quite sad to see these ruins as the once great house might have made a great visitor attraction if it had not suffered the fate it did. Walking around the great columns gives almost a sense of being in some huge Grecian ruin. The rebars (reinforcing rods) stick out of the top displaying how the mansion was wrenched away from the portico. Some of the rods are beginning to show on a couple of columns as well where the stone has crumbled. The inevitable graffiti artists have left their mark by curiously daubing the letters A L O N  E on the bases of the columns. Seems a bit apt as the portico does look so lonely and abandoned. This strange remnant has the effect of real surprise as you drive around a bend in the approach road and it suddenly comes into view. If in the area take a little time out to have a look at this unusual site.
To find the ruin take the R128 heading Northwards from Lower Main Street in Rush. This is the road opposite Hackett's Victuallers. Drive for approx 1.8Km until you reach the old graveyard on your left. There is a left hand turn just past this with a sign pointing to St Catherine's Estate. Turn left and continue up this road which is called The Drive. You will see the Portico at the top of this road in a green area. You can park at the shop which is located adjacent.  

For an image of what Kenure House originally looked like visit here. 

Old Whitestown Church Co Dublin

                                              Above Image: The entrance gate

                                         Above Image: Interior side of the window

                                          Above Image: One of the two apertures

                                                     Above Image: The Plaque

These modest ruins lie in an area called Whitestown roughly half way between Rush and Lusk in North East County Dublin. The Church could possibly date back to the time of the crusades. It is dedicated to St Maur (Maurus, a follower of St Benedict who introduced Benedictine rule into Gaul in the sixth century) Local legend has it that a group of Breton mariners (possibly crusading knights) were caught up in a serious life threatening storm at sea and prayed to St Maur to come to their aid. They vowed to build a Church in honour of him at whatever place he would lead them to safety. They apparently had their prayers answered as they managed to land at Rogerstown later to be called Knightstown (after the crusaders maybe?) and finally as it is called today, Whitestown.

All that remains now of this little Church is the East gable. There is a single arched window in the gable and two small square apertures on either side of it. The most unusual feature is the stepping effect leading up to the apex, not something I’ve seen before. The ruin is positioned on a raised area with none of the foundations showing. It was certainly in ruins by 1654 as it is described as so in a civil survey of that time. It was replaced in 1776 by a newer Church which itself was replaced in 1989. A commemorative plaque has been placed on the outside wall of the gable.   

As I said it is quite a modest little ruin but with some interesting history attached and worth a look if in the area. Just to mention that this area is dotted with many historical ruins and it is possible to see quite a few in a short space of time.

To find the ruin take the R128 from Upper Main Street in Rush heading towards Lusk. Drive for approx. 2.5Km and you will spot the ruin on your left in the graveyard. You can park at the gate safely. Access to the Church is by way of a gate in the boundary wall that also encompasses the more modern cemetery.

Old Straffan Church Co Kildare

                                              Above Image: The entrance stile

                                                Above Image: Church doorway

                                              Above Image: Section of the nave

                      Above & Below Image: Interior and exterior of North wall window

                                Above & Below Image: The two South wall windows

                             Above & Below Images: Overgrown East section interior

                                     Above Image: Sunken steps on North section

                                Above Image: Interior of entrance and base of tower

                                             Above Image: East aspect of tower

                                             Above Image: South aspect of tower

                                      Above Image: West & North aspects of tower

                                           Above Image: South wall with breach

                          Above & Below Images: Exterior & interior views of Lychgate

I spotted these ruins one day while heading back through Straffan towards the N7. Not being in any hurry I decided to turn the car around and go have a closer look. The old graveyard in which they stand is situated directly opposite the grounds of the newer Church on Glebe Lane (now signposted as The Boreen Road). Within the graveyard enclosure amongst some ancient stones is what remains of St. Patrick’s Church roughly dating back to the early 13^th century. It is recorded that St Patrick’s was incorporated into the Hospitallers of St John in Newgate around 1250AD which would suggest its construction at an earlier time. The church would more than likely have been in use until at least the time of the dissolution which took place in the 1500’s.
The ruins are accessed (if the main gate is locked) by way of a very large stone stile with four steps in the Southern boundary wall just to the left of the gate or alternatively you can access the grounds around the corner on the main street by way of an ornate wooden Lychgate which leads into the more modern section of the graveyard. This type of gate is an unusual feature for an Irish graveyard and much more common in the English countryside. It was built here in 1913.
What is particularly interesting about the ruined church is that it has a fortified tower house attached to its Western end. It comprises of four stages which were both a residence and a safe house for the clergy and it contains a twin bellcote on top. Ivy is beginning to take hold on some sides of the tower and hopefully it will not be allowed to run rampant. The ruins stand on a elevated ground within the graveyard enclosure and the entrance door is on the Southern side. There are also two nice Gothic style windows in this Southern wall and another visible on the Northern wall. Once through the door you will notice that a large portion of the Northern wall has fallen leaving a gaping view out over the modern cemetery. There are a set of slightly sunken steps which lead down to this section. The interior of the tower is unfortunately inaccessible but from within the ruins it looks quite a formidable structure. Part of the Chancel and Nave can be viewed as you enter but the entire Eastern end is bricked up and is clogged with ivy and winding branches. I nearly done myself a mischief trying to clamber in from the old window in the East gable to get access to this section but eventually the overgrowth inside just got the better of me. Facing possible death by a thousand cuts I retreated quickly!
 In regard to the ongoing deterioration of this Church the overgrowth is the real culprit here and it is truly having a serious effect on the remaining walls with a large break now evident in the Southern wall. I really hope that some restoration can take place here soon to preserve this unusual church from collapsing even further.

To find the ruins take the N7 heading West from Dublin and exit at junction 7 signposted for Kill and Straffan. At the top of the ramp take the third exit on the roundabout that crosses over the N7. On the following roundabout take the exit for Straffan then drive until you reach a smaller roundabout. Turn right here onto Straffan Road. Drive for approx. 7.5Km until you reach Straffan itself. When you enter the village you will see the large 19th century stone church on your left with a Mace service station opposite. Turn left directly after the church onto the Glebe (Boreen Road). You will spot the old graveyard on your right just past some cottages. The only real places to park are at the railings of the newer Church or up slightly on the footpath at the gates of the graveyard. It is not really that busy a lane so you should be okay for a short visit. I’ve been here twice and encountered no problem.

Ballymaise Passage Tomb Co Dublin

                         Above Image: Entrance gate (taken during a recent snowfall)

                                                   Above Image: The old shed

                                  Above Image: Kerb stones nestled on the outcrop

                                                  Above Image: The Guardians

                                             Above Image: © Google Maps 2016



This Neolithic passage tomb which may date back as far as 2000BC is only identified now by its remaining line of kerb stones. It lies on the slopes of Knockannavea Hill in an area of forest re-plantation. There are times that this area is clear of fully grown trees but equally it can be the opposite. In all cases those replanting seem careful not interfere with the stones and so they can be found with a little searching and are really worth your time to locate.
The tomb appears to have been deliberately set into an outcrop which can offer at times a really good overlook of Dublin Bay. In particular there are good views of Howth and Lambay Island and it is possible that the tomb is aligned to the summits of either or both. Many of these types of ancient sites can be aligned in some way to other sites or even cairns on the summits of nearby mountains.
When we visited the forest was at full height and we had to follow a rudimentary track in a gap in the trees which eventually opened out into a clear area. There was a perimeter fence of a local farm and a large shed at the edge which would aid in identifying that you are in the right spot if visiting. The tomb lies about 25m North West of this shed. A couple of isolated trees sprout out of the tomb site like lonely guardians. The shape that the stones form is a little difficult to ascertain at first but by following them around it does appear circular in fashion. An aerial view confirms this.
We visited on a early Summer evening about an hour before dusk and the site seem to bristle with atmosphere. I have found that in some cases these ancient stones seem to exude their antiquity to where it is almost palpable and there was definitely a strong feeling of something ancient here. We encountered no one else while there and there was no movement in the farm adjacent. Totally peaceful. Though the track up Knockannavea is well trodden by walkers I wonder how many are aware of this interesting site just off the beaten track.

To find the tomb take the R114 heading West from the Old Mill Pub in Old Bawn Tallaght and drive for approx. 1.7Km until you have crossed the narrow Fort stone bridge. From the bridge continue up through the mountain pass until you reach the third right hand turn at Ballinascorney signposted as the L7045. Turn right and drive for approx. 800m on a narrow road through the trees (which may be at full height or newly replanted) until you reach a small clearing with a black barrier gate on your left. There is also a Coillte Information sign here (although it is now defaced with grafitti). You can park at the gate. Once through the gate follow the track up a gentle incline for approx. 200m until you reach a small oval shaped widening of the track. Turn right here onto the small track into the trees (If you consider the oval shape as a clock face then the track would be at Two O’Clock).  Walk for about 70m and you will eventually spot the shed on your right. The tomb remains are to the left of this on a small outcrop.