The Gothic Arch Templeogue Co Dublin

                                        Above Image:  The arch as it was in 2014

                        Above Image: Templeogue House. Parts of the old castle were 

                                               incorporated into the towers at the back. 

Anyone who would be frequently driving down the N81 towards Templeogue in the last few years would have been surprised recently to see this stone archway appear as if out of nowhere. It has in fact been a feature for centuries but in the years following the 1980's it began to disappear beneath the ivy and bushes that grew alongside the then newly installed Tallaght by-pass. The Gothic style arch has now once again been exposed to the light as it is anticipated that it will become a feature along a new greenway being developed by the County Council.

The arch is not in anyway medieval or nor is it associated with the ruins of the nearby church at the Spawell roundabout (see earlier post here) but in fact a folly built as part of the ornamental landscaped gardens of the former Templeogue house demesne.

The house itself was by built in late Elizabethan times incorporating parts of the towers and subterranean vaulted cellars of the former 16th century Talbot castle. The lands had been granted to Thomas Domvile by James II following the bloody battle of the Boyne and it was Thomas's son Compton Domville who had the gardens laid out. 

Both the Talbots and subsequently the Domviles were stewards of the City watercourse which ran on the North section of their land and Compton sometime following his Father's death in 1721 had several ponds designed in the forested gardens, that drew from the watercourse that connected to each other via a series of steps which had statues placed at each dropping point. At the Southern end he built the tall Gothic arch under which the stream flowed and then dropped as a twenty foot waterfall before rejoining the City watercourse. 

In 1780 the Domviles moved to the lands at Santry and the ornamental statues and indeed an ornamental temple which had stood on a mound were transferred with them. Only the arch remained probably as it was not practical to take it down and try reassemble it. So as the estate waned the arch became a lonely sentinel over the diminishing gardens. Over subsequent years the streams and ponds dried up and disappeared and the mound on which the temple stood was finally levelled in 1972. The house is now utilized as a training centre and has been renamed St Michael's house.

I remember visiting the site of the arch some years back and finding little of it visible. From the roadside it just looked like part of the overgrown bushes. It was a forlorn sight. But now it has returned and serves as a reminder of a more fruitful time in its existence.

To find the arch take the N81 from Tallaght to Templeogue and after the Spawell roundabout look for it on your left behind a fence. Parking is difficult on the dual carriageway but if the gates of St. Michael's house are open (they are a few metres past the arch) you can park in the spaces inside the gate. The arch is fenced off but you can still get very close to it. If you like you can park at the church ruins back at the roundabout and take in both sites on foot.

Mount Venus Dolmen Co Dublin

 

                   Above & Below Image:  The gap between capstone and portal stone

                                      Above & Below Image: The huge capstone

I came across this Dolmen a number of years ago but had a chance more recently to visit again. Situated in Woodtown not far from Rathfarnham it is generally known as the Mount Venus Dolmen.

The dolmen is actually an ancient portal tomb dating to the Neolithic period sometime between 4000BC - 2500BC. Portal tombs generally consist of two or more vertical stones supporting a a larger more flatter capstone. They were often covered over with soil or stones or in some cases laid bare.

The Mount Venus tomb can be found in a bushy and somewhat neglected spot on an earthen bank above the West side of the approach drive into the DSPCA animal shelter. There are a set of steps leading up from the car park to a small recreation area but a small diversion in through a hedgerow brings you to the location. 

I was disappointed to see that the area was still somewhat overgrown but its hard to really miss this huge monument from the past.

The capstone measuring approx 18 feet by 9 feet has partially collapsed off all but one of the portal stones forming a triangular crevasse in between. A smaller stone lies beneath and another portal stone adjacent which is overgrown measures approx 15 feet. The size of the portal stones would indicate quite a high entrance height into the tomb when it was in its complete standing form..

The capstone is considered to weigh an incredible 44 tons!  William Borlase, a British antiquarian in his extensive publication "Dolmens of Ireland" described the dolmen as one of the most magnificent examples he had ever seen.

The dolmen has been in this ruined condition since the mid 18th century and is thought to have collapsed into its current state as a result of shock waves from the huge earthquake that took place in 1755 with its epicentre in Lisbon, Portugal. The shock waves also damaged part of Galway's city wall and some strong tsunami waters hit the peninsula at Auginish in County Clare destroying the central section of the peninsula thus creating an island offshore. 

Even in its current state this portal tomb is worth seeking out. The land it is on is not owned by the DSPCA but I believe by Woodtown Farm. I don't think a close-up look at the dolmen would be an issue.

To find the tomb take the R115 (Stocking Lane) from Ballyboden towards Killakee. Go straight through the roundabout (junction with Stocking Ave) and continue for approx 1.4KM taking a left hand turn onto the L4026 towards Rockbrook. Continue down this road for approx 500m and you will see the entrance to the DSPCA on your right. Drive up the avenue and park anywhere along it. Then walk on toward the wire fence and gates that lead to the Cats and Dogs Home. There is a set of stone steps on your right just before the fence. Climb the steps and walk forward on the path until you reach the fenced hedgerow. Look for a gap near a field gate. The DSPCA gate is usually open between 8.00 - 17.30 Mon - Fri. 

Old Ratoath Church Co Meath

 

                                              Above Image: The entrance gate.

                                         Above Image: West facing wall memorial?

                                            Above Image: The medieval grave slab

                                  Above Image: South face of tower with grave slab

                                                         in bottom right corner.

An old graveyard hidden down a small lane in a pleasant Co Meath village? A ruinhunter's delight! 

A medieval church once stood on these grounds but by the 1690's it had fallen into ruin with only it's chancel still evident. This too has now disappeared leaving no trace of the small church. The ruin standing today is of the Church of Ireland church named "The Holy Trinity" which was built in 1817 on an elevation within the graveyard. For such a recent construct there is little left intact apart from some foundation walls covered by bushes, but the bell tower which is on the Western side remains mostly extant. It is described as a three stage tower with castellations and is listed as a protected structure.

The walls of the graveyard surrounding this tower are believed to date from the 16th century but the West side was demolished to extend the graveyard to accommodate more recent burials. The wall at the gate contains one of the highest stone stiles I have ever come across! But on this occasion the main cast iron gates were unlocked.

By far, to me at least, apart from the tower the most interesting feature here is the medieval grave slab dating to the 13th/14th century which has now been placed into the base of the South wall of the tower. The effigy on the slab depicts a knight dressed in a surcoat and chainmail with a sword attached to his belt. He is lying 'In Pace'  his head without a helmet upon a pillow. Time has rendered some damage as his legs are now missing from beneath the knees. An inscription in what appears to be Lombardic style lettering surrounds the edge but time too has taken its toll here as well and the lettering is now mostly worn away. Considering it's age it has weathered well enough and I'm glad I took the opportunity to stop by and see it.

The ambience here is quiet with a distinct air of antiquity and very few individuals present apart from some visitors to the newer grave section. It is certainly worth a stop if in the area.

To find the ruin take the M2 motorway and exit at junction 3 following the loop road over the motorway until you reach a roundabout. Take the first exit left onto the R125 and continue on for Ratoath. When you reach the next roundabout take the third exit for Ratoath. Drive into the village until you see 'The Auld Stand pub' on your right opposite the new church. The right hand turn at this pub is Glebe Lane and the old graveyard gate is a few yards down. Parking on the lane is prohibited so you will need to park in front of the pub or a few yards before where there are designated parking spaces and then simply continue on foot around to the ruin.

Ballinascorney Famine Cross Co Dublin

                                    Above Image: Cross and base at road junction

                       Above Image: Mass Rock (left) & Stonecross Cottage ruin (right)

This stone cross is to be found in the Dublin mountains just above the town of Tallaght on the Ballinascorney pass. The cross stands on a junction of the old road to the Kilbride army camp and the newer road that leads towards Brittas (the R114). Like many antiquities it can be easily missed.

The cross unlike some of the others I have previously posted is not an ancient cross but a commemorative one built to mark those who died in the great potato famine which began in Ireland in 1847.

The cross is made of granite which is dominant among the hills of Dublin and Wicklow and stands a little under six feet tall and at it's widest, three feet. It has been placed upon a circular stone base giving it even more height. It is roughly dated to around 1850 and became a directional point for the way to the mass rock in the forest on the slopes of Ballymorefinn Hill approx 2KM away. Mass rocks were designated sites where during penal times almost 350 years ago Catholics celebrated mass in seclusion when mass was banned and any clergy found celebrating it risked being executed.

A small stone cottage ruin is situated in the trees on private ground just behind the cross. It is aptly called Stonecross cottage. 

To find the cross take the R114 towards Ballinascorney from the crossroads at the old mill pub in Tallaght and drive for approx 4.5KM until you see a little slip road on your left (L7462). Drive up the slip road and the cross is at the top at he fork in the road. You can park on the grass verge opposite.

Haynestown Castle Co Louth

 

                                       Above 2 Images: Northwest corner turret

                                            Above Image: West and South walls

                              Above Image: West doorway blocked up behind bushes

                                               Above Image: St. Paul's Church

An impressive ruin on a country road in Haynestown Co. Louth, this more unusual looking castle is believed to date to the 16th century. It stands three storeys high with its main entrance now blocked up and situated on the ground level of the West side. A secondary entrance is also blocked up on the East side. Its main feature are the four large circular corner turrets two of which seem somewhat larger than the others and are on the West side. The original owners of the castle remain unknown and believe me I did my best to find out who they were but to no avail. The castle still appeared to be in use in 1784 as an antique print I came across depicts it with a wooden door and also a set of steps in the West side of the Northwest turret leading to a turret door. The turrets on the Northwest and Northeast appear on the print to be shown as degrading at that point so it may be a case of a slow decline into ruination over subsequent years. The 1837 Ordnance Survey map states that it is definitely in ruin by that time. Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of the same year describes the Castle details perfectly under the slightly different townland name of Heynestown but lists the name as Dunmahon Castle which in fact has squared turrets not circular and is a short distance away on private land near Gibstown.

Overgrown vegetation seems to have been the castle's worst enemy in latter years and although cleaned away previously it now appears to be gaining hold again. The turrets all appear to have lost some height over the centuries. I noted on our visit that this castle which contains a spiral stairs within would be a really good project for renovation, at least to the standard of unblocking the entrance, placing gravel ground inside and giving public access to see the interior and perhaps climb to the top of what is left of the Southeast turret. 

The castle is adjacent to a Church of Ireland church built in 1803 and renamed from St. Nicholas' to St. Paul's when it was renovated in 1827. The location of both castle and church are on a small country road which was almost devoid of any passing traffic, at least while we were there. I attempted to navigate the base of the castle but was thwarted by the ever growing bushes. It still surprises me how many castle ruins are secreted away on country lanes but this one is worth seeking out and perhaps a further clean up may expose more of its features,

To find the ruins take the junction 16 exit of the M1 motorway and take the exit for the N52 to Dundalk off the roundabout. Drive for approx 220m and take the first left turn onto the L7165. Get into the right hand lane and turn right at the T-junction. This is a small loop road that takes you back onto the N52 so that you can access the next road you need which is across the dual carriageway. Turn right back onto the N52 and then a few metres further on turn left onto the continuation of the L7165 signposted for Haynestown. Drive approx 400m until you cross a small bridge over the rail line and turn right at the T- junction beyond it. Continue on for another 500m and straight through the crossroads. The castle and church are approx 320m along on your left hand side. There is ample room to park outside the church.

St. Mary's Priory Co Louth

 

                                     Above Image: Lane way from the roadside

 

                                                   Above Image: Entrance gate

                                             Above Image: South wall arches

                                         Above Image: South wall entrance door

                                           Above Image: East gable inner view

                                          Above Image: Steps to basement door

                                           Above Image: West gable inner view

                                     Above Image: Sunken oratory or mausoleum.

                                Above Image: Stone remnant with raised head figures

                                               Above Image: St Mochta's house

St. Mochta, a disciple of St. Patrick is said to have founded a monastic site here in the early 6th century in what is now the Northern end of the village of Louth. No remnants remain of this early site which was frequently attacked over subsequent centuries nor indeed of the monastery built by the Augustinians in the 1130's which was destroyed by fire in 1166. The present ruins are likely to have been built in the early 13th century and remained in use until the priory was suppressed in the late 1530's. The building and lands were then passed to the Protestant Church of Ireland in the wake of King Henry's formation of the Church of England. During the confederate wars in the years following 1641 the priory was badly damaged and subsequently fell into ruin.

The village of Louth contains a number of historical sites and this priory in particular is very easily accessible. A gravel and grass lane leads up from the roadside to the gates of the graveyard that forms the area to the priory's Southern side.

The priory itself is a long rectangular building stretching impressively over 140 feet in length of which the inner floor is around a metre lower than the outside graveyard. This means you have to drop down if you wish to have a look at the interior which contains further graves interred there as it is deemed consecrated ground. Being an Augustinian priory there may originally have been a tower in the centre area between the Nave and the Chancel but nothing remains extant today. The East gable has an arched window partially bricked up with what appears to be a small bell aperture above it. while a single arched window is the only feature present in the West gable. The Eastern end of the South wall sports a number of fine arches while on the West end of the South wall a small set of stone steps lead down to basement chamber which naturally of course is gated off. I certainly would like to have investigated that further.

On the East side of the graveyard a small vaulted and somewhat sunken building, perhaps an oratory or  mausoleum lies partially overgrown.

The ruins and graveyard were empty of other visitors during our time there so we had an uninterrupted  look around at our own pace. 

The Northern wall of the priory looks out onto farmland and is not accessible by the public from that side. This wall is virtually featureless unlike its Southern counterpart.

In the field adjacent to the West gable on the farmland mentioned, is a small vaulted structure standing alone and appearing somewhat akin to the oratory of St Columb's in Kells, Co Meath.(see earlier post here) A renovation took place in the 1930's on this structure which resulted in it being dated to around the late 12th century. In medieval times it was common for the relics of Saints to basically go on a grand tour and it is recorded that the relics of St. Mochta travelled from Rome to St. Mary's priory around that particular time leading to speculation that the small vaulted chamber was built to contain and display the relics during their visit.

This is a very interesting historical site and is well served by information boards on the lane leading to its entrance. It is worth consulting the information on display which can lead you to enhance the visit with some other nearby historical places.

To find the ruins take the R171 heading North from Ardee signposted for Tallanstown. When you reach the crossroads in Tallanstown village turn right at the Louth Arms pub. Drive for approx 5KM until you reach Louth village and take the left hand turn just past the Louth village playground which is situated on your right hand side. Drive down the main street until you reach a small manicured grass area where the road forks. Continue a few yards around the left fork and you can park at McCooey's pub. The lane leading to the ruins is just opposite.

Loftus Hall Co Wexford

 

Above Image: The original entrance.

                         Above Image: Dunmore East in the distance from the grounds

                                              Above Image: Part of the gardens

                                               Above Image: The tapestry room

                                            Above Image: The great staircase

                            Above Image: Two great stone birds above the porch

 

                                                Above Image: Rear of the hall

I had the pleasure of visiting Loftus Hall a few years back when the house tours were in full swing and it's sad to see that it has been recently sold and that public access is for now at least not possible. Hopefully this will be temporary and it will be open to public viewing again in the future.The previous owner Aidan Quigley who bought the hall when it was falling slowly into ruin and then built it up into a popular attraction has to be commended for his enterprise. The new owner has not been made public but Aidan has said that he hopes the hall will go on to bigger and better things.

The history of the hall began when in 1350 when it replaced a castle built in 1170 by Raymond Les Gros who came to Ireland during the Norman invasion. The new building was named Redmond Hall after its new occupants and it remained so until the plantation when the hall and lands were granted to Dudley Loftus. It then became commonly known as Loftus hall. The house was renovated in the 1870's on the premise that a royal visit would ensue, but this never came to pass and the costs incurred bankrupted the estate leaving the house to fall into disrepair. It was bought by a Benedictine order in the early 20th century and subsequently in 1937 became a convent school for the Sisters of Providence. It spent a short period in the 1980s and 1990s being renovated and operated as a hotel before closing by century's end leaving it again blocked up and deteriorating.. 

Of course the noteriety of the hall which sits on the windblown Western side of the Hook peninsula is its haunting. On the tour we were regaled with tales of severed hands, the forlorn ghost of Anne Loftus and the very Devil himself. The origin of the haunting is said to have been born in 1766 and has a few variants on the tale the most oft told being the following: Apparently the inhabitants welcomed in a stranger on a stormy night and later over a game of cards found they had invited  not what seemed to be a lost soul but actually more like the goat of Mendes,(Satan to you and me). Anne Loftus on reaching down to pick up a dropped card saw the stranger's cloven hooves instead of feet and on letting out a shrill scream caused the stranger, his identity revealed, to exit the room through the roof in a ball of fire. Strangely this particular occurrence was mirrored in the Hellfire club in Dublin a number of years previously (see earlier post here).  Ann Loftus was so distressed by the event that her family, unable to console her or regain her calm, had to lock her away in a room where she eventually died a year later still distraught and in the grip of madness. It is her ghost that is said to haunt the hall as disturbances and unexplained events began to occur following her death.

The haunting and other strange occurrences were recorded over the years by the different orders of nuns in the early 20th century and later by subsequent owners. The hall's use as a hotel failed and even on our visit no one was allowed on the upper floors which were still in bad disrepair and as reported very badly haunted. We were shown the great staircase of a type that was one of three built to that the design the other two being in the Vatican and on the ill fated Titanic. We also were taken to the tapestry room where Anne ended her living days and whether it be by subtle suggestion or actual evocation this was indeed a very unsettling room which caused the peripherals of my eyesight a lot of distress during my time in there.

For now many of the windows still remain blocked up, paper is peeling from the walls inside and there is a general sense of inner distress in the house almost palpable in some sections. 

Paranormal investigations were allowed by the owners and indeed bore fruitful results. Loftus hall is without doubt haunted, be it by spirits or by tragedy. Regardless, its eerie stain will stay with you long after you have left its domain.

To find the hall take the R733 from Wellingtonbridge heading West and after approx. 8KM you will reach a crossroads with the R734. There is a large sign stating "Welcome to the Hook" and a road sign pointing left for Fethard. Turn left at the crossroads and follow the road until you enter Fethard, a pretty little seaside village.  About halfway up the main street take the right hand turn just after the pharmacy and continue on this road for approx 1.6KM until you see the sign for Loftus hall on your right. The entrance gate is flanked by pillars. Hopefully these directions will have purpose again soon and a visit can be made.