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.

Moone Abbey & High Cross Co Kildare

                                     Above Image: The Roadside entrance

                   Above Image: Unsightly scaffolding but necessary for maintenance

                                       Above Image: The Moone High Cross

                                        Above Image: Close up of the shaft

                                 Above Image: The twelve apostles on the base

                                    Above Image: Moone Castle viewed from
                                                         the Abbey graveyard

The area around Moone is one of the oldest settlements in Ireland dating back to approx 4000BC. A monastery was founded here by St.Palladius in the 5th century and dedicated to St.Colmcille and it continued to be a religious site from then on. The Abbey ruins date to the 13th century and contain within it's walls the famous Moone High Cross which dates to the 8th century. Constructed of granite in three sections it is one of the most decoratively carved crosses in the country. The Abbey was ransacked and burned along with the nearby Castle by Cromwellian forces in the 17th century and no doubt the High Cross suffered also. Two sections of it were rediscovered buried in the Abbey grounds in 1835 and re-erected in the Abbey by the Duke Of Leinster although the final missing section was not added until it's discovery in 1895 thus completing it's restoration.
Locating the ruins can be a little tricky as they are situated on a back road on the old Belan estate. The easiest way to find them is to locate the large pillared gateway in Moone village opposite the Post Office. Follow the road through the gates and it will lead you in the right direction.
The site stands alongside the River Greese and is accessed by a designated gap in the boundary wall by the roadside. A short walk brings you the ruins. Some recent work has been done here and a rather out of place looking glass roof has been added to part of the Abbey but this is in fact to form protection from the elements to the high cross within. The rest of the Abbey is open to the sky. While the ruins are not that extensive both gable ends survive and most of the walls. The Eastern gable sports a large window. Adjacent to the ruins is an ancient cemetery from where you can view the ruins of the nearby Moone Castle which is unfortunately on private land and inaccessible. The Castle grounds for any prospective trespasser also comes supplied with a large barking dog.
I suppose the main feature of the Abbey has to be the High Cross. It stands 5.3 metres high and is one of four original crosses which stood on compass points, North, South, East and West. This complete cross is the Southern one. The base and partial shaft of another stands now behind the complete cross while the remaining two are represented only by their bases and are semi-buried in field and woodland nearby.
The Moone High Cross is really amazing. Each aspect of the base and shaft are decorated with carvings depicting amongst others Adam & Eve, Daniel in the Lion's den and the twelve apostles. The shaft is carved with many animals, motifs and figures.
As mentioned there is only a shell of the Abbey left and there tends to be quite a bit of scaffolding around due to ongoing preservation which detracts a little from the overall view but it really is worth your time to stop and see the high cross. We visited on a March afternoon and there wasn't a sinner about. We also attempted to get near to the Castle but were thwarted by the Hillbilly doorbell (The Dog!)
To find Moone Abbey take the M9 motorway and at junction 3 take the exit and follow the R747 for Moone. After approx. 2KM you will come to a T-Junction with the R448. Turn right here and drive for approx. 3KM until you reach Moone village. Drive through the main street until you see the Post Office on your left. Directly opposite are the large pillared gates. Drive through the gateway and follow this road which takes a sharp left bend. You will see the ruins of Moone Corn Mill (See earlier post here) ahead. The road then bends to the right and after about 200m you will spot a set of wooden gates set into an archway in the wall on your right. Directly beside this is a gap in the wall which is the entry point to the ruins. You can park safely enough alongside the wall at the wooden gates.

Adam & Eve Co Dublin

                                Above Image: As they appear from the field gate

                                                  Above Image: Adam

                                                     Above Image: Eve

These interesting Megalithic stones dating back probably to the Bronze age (2300BC-750BC) stand in a meadow near the small village of Saggart in South West County Dublin.
Barely visible from the road as the meadow is surrounded by a tall hedgerow and trees, you will spot them  fleetingly through gaps in the hedge and a field gate if driving or walking by.
The stones lay in the town land of Boherboy and are known by that name but locally they are called "Adam & Eve"  Eve stands approx.1.3m and Adam a little shorter and more pointed. They stand approx. 1.7m apart in an East-West direction.
The owner of the meadow appears to have a great deal of respect for these stones as he carefully cuts around them during harvest.
I always get a great deal of pleasure in finding such sites as these as I'm sure many have done before me. They exude a great mystery and give a tangible link to the past. We visited on a September evening when the sun was kissing the horizon and the light reflected on them in a very pleasant manner.
The field is accessed by a gate on the roadside. We simply parked across the road from it and hopped over to take a look. There are no prohibitive signs but I'm sure the landowner wouldn't really mind as they are close to the edge of the field. There are only a couple of stone pairs in the Dublin area, another being in Rockbrook. But Adam & Eve I think are the more interesting aesthetically.
To find the stones take the N81 Dublin to Tullow Road and just past the junction with the N82 signposted for Saggart there is a fork in the road on a bend. Take the right hand road and drive for approx. 800m until you come to a left hand turn with an electric wire pole standing behind it..Continue 50m just past this turn and you will spot a field gate in the hedgerow. Parking can be made opposite by the bungalows.

Old St Catherine's Church Co Dublin

                                           Above Image: The entrance gate

                                 Above Image: Archway to the base of the tower

                              Above Image: A view upwards from inside the tower

Located near the coast in Portrane in North East Co. Dublin these medieval ruins stand within a graveyard enclosure. The Church originally called Sr. Canice's was under the ownership of the Nunnery of Grace Dieu, a well to do Augustinian convent founded in 1190 which flourished until the suppression of Churches in 1540. The nuns finally left Grace Dieu in 1577 and the lands fell into the ownership of the Barnewall family who are said to have used some of the stones of Grace Dieu to build Turvey House. The Church itself was granted to Francis Agard by Elizabeth I and by this time was renamed St. Catherine's. It appears to have still been in use until the end of the 1600's but subsequently fell into ruin.
The most striking feature is the tall three storied tower with it's castellated top giving it the look of a fortified tower house. This probably served as a place of refuge and for storage of valuables. All four walls of the Church still stand to some degree and form a long rectangular shape approx 20m x 8m. The doorway is situated in the South wall.
We found the ruins easily enough as they are almost surrounded by modern housing and easy access roads.. The site is only 150m from the seafront. A gate and pathway from Burrow road lead to the enclosure and there is no restriction to access. It's a pity that the ruins don't stand in a more rural setting as the would have originally with a backdrop of the sea as the modern housing give a sort of cramped feel to the location. The tower is very impressive and is not in bad shape on it's exterior. There  is an archway within the Church that allows you to stand at the base inside the tower and view upwards where there is now a gaping hole to the sky. The Church originally stood at the gates of Portrane Castle, the ruins of which lie nearby and which we will endeavour to visit soon.
To find St. Catherine's, take the junction 4 exit of the M1 motorway heading North and at the top of the ramp turn right and cross over the motorway bridge. On the roundabout on the far side, take the exit for the R126. Continue on for approx. 6KM passing Newbridge House and straight through Donabate Village. You will eventually reach a fork in the road and you will spot the ruins on the left hand road (Burrow Road). Parking is easy enough in this area.

Newtown Castle & Church Co Kilkenny

                                 Above Image: The entrance & electric fencing

                               Above Image: View of the Castle from the Church

                                            Above Image: The East gable

We discovered these ruins on the way to Callan Friary (See earlier post here) We were driving on a country back road and the tower caught my attention.
The Castle, a four storey tower in fair outer condition stands on private land. We attempted to find an access point but the one field gate approx 100m North of the Castle had a "no trespassing" sign upon it. So we relented this time hoping we might come across someone to ask permission of.
The Castle stands on elevated ground from the road behind a hedgerow and ditch and the base appears to be surrounded by electrified fencing. The entrance is in the North facing wall and there is apparently a murder hole within and a spiral staircase that leads to the top. This stairway has been blocked no doubt for safety reasons.
Records date the Castle to 1628 but it's overall look would probably be more likely of late 15th or early 16th century. Details are vague but there was a prominent family in the area called the Sweetmans and it may have been somehow associated with them.
Meeting someone on the road was seemingly not on the cards. It's a very sparsely populated road but on travelling a couple of hundred metres North we discovered the ruins of a Church set back from the road. There was a gate we could park at and a rudimentary track led us up to the graveyard that surrounds the Church.
The ruins are of the Church of All Saints, a fairly ordinary rectangular shaped medieval building with a nice decorative window in the East gable. The interior walls seem smoother than they should be and may have been altered more recently. Other than some grave markers with carved crosses the Church remains undistinguished except for the wonderful view it affords of the Castle.
The visit was still worth the stop and would have been more rewarding if we could have accessed the Castle. But as they say there's always next time!
To find the ruins, take the N76 South towards Callan from Kilkenny and drive for approx. 12KM until you see a left turn for the R692 for Callan. Turn left and then take the next left turn signposted for Kells. Drive for approx. 2KM until you reach a fork in the road. Keep to the right and continue for approx. 3KM. There are a lot of  small lane ways on this road but you need to take the first right hand road that is properly lined. You will know you are on the right road as you'll see the Castle tower on the horizon. Drive down on this narrow road and you will see the Church ruins set back from the road on your right. You can park here to visit both.