tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19068689221936993442024-03-13T07:40:05.070+00:00The Standing StoneThe Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comBlogger525125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-24019800689406759422024-02-24T17:22:00.002+00:002024-02-24T17:22:25.110+00:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Play; font-size: x-large;">Welcome to The Standing Stone...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Play; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2010/12/long-stone-punchestown-co-kildare.html" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNHyTYbOaolDr6qe0xJmxbExUgoeZtImgbmA1bfT6hyX-2EuUYyMWfLUbth3WwwW-ySP9ZW1CrY5pn3YTEp2lYdvngJ-VIkWVtCwzvPhOsTkTZuAjaXwoorJnxKMkeNm9cbwAnVSdqbY/w300-h400/edited+long+stone.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Long Stone, Co. Kildare.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Ireland has a rich and varied history, and this can be seen scattered across the land today. Every county has hundreds, if not thousands of places that point to its past. From ancient Neolithic tombs to modern fortified houses The Standing Stone brings you a closer look at the history that sits all around us.
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">For over 12 years we have travelled around Ireland to look at these historical sites, and present them to you here. There are over four-hundred places listed on The Standing Stone, and more being uploaded regularly. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In addition to our own posts we have several guest posts from a variety of archaeologists, historians, and professionals involved in Irish history and archaeology. There are also book reviews, and an extensive glossary. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Use the menu above to navigate the site and search, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more. </span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheStandingStone.ie" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELqQxoRvcv5oRuhU6_S1Wf8sfxZ9-O6nsJqME7uAU-e_R8zU1ehVeCcDk_KCDsmt-MBwX6a4GPnL2wTETYjY3y4tOozxQQ8_zdbeNGA5NUJSp0_XKola_pbPYiGvs4hn4eso-ufO6t2A/w152-h152/facebook+logo.png" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_standing_stone.ie/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26rmbNnwfy6SABGSvo93BQi_GwFzLejzuzBujG1lkKg97KbTUkYt8_2oVz8yj0qwAKyUfXsmEgjBsTuB8Ij-lmGASrBB5DNXEueO10nv8GFht2PQ3jGWcrnh3FZfNnVgtKBXahqoiPE0/w150-h150/instagram+logo.png" width="75" /></a><a href="https://twitter.com/StandingStoneIE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_jroh7GRjXzAPMbUFj9KgldRbuL1TXcxtcH0aW6c5KqSk6H-kQduQXq9nukqCQ9fduadc87Xys4ARAj_HZw2BsxFvo1n01DGVJtFmsImxeK6motJ8DAzDSSbxG6VWB2f7jgDcnpTJgE/w153-h153/twitter+logo.png" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCi0RYDCXDZVgOlOVUNd-yA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="256" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscuFX4_citadknzGyUPWr1iVYZNL3f-AExXD26xRweOZ8nOjxETctA93ivRYGUsrApDL8DO8rYe3XC8edYq7_ScciSgDqlxUn2t7hhlOa3RhYDc_WcjMI1Vs-22X9-mbJKetGCMDumfw/w200-h200/youtube+icon.png" width="75" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-60862320509057156442024-02-24T17:22:00.001+00:002024-02-24T17:22:05.150+00:00Hook Lighthouse, Hook Head, Co. Wexford.<p><b>Location</b> – On the very south tip of Hook Head, at the very end of the R734.</p><p>OS: X 73364 97383</p><p>Longitude: -6.9294079</p><p>Latitude: 52.123795</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Description and History</b> – Hook Lighthouse is one those iconic Irish sites and it is not hard to see why. Perched on the very edge of the Hook Head looking out to sea, it is both dramatic and breath-taking. It is accessible by guided tour only, although the exterior can be viewed for free. However, I would recommend taking the guided tour and see the inside, and learning more about it. There is also a nice café on site which we thoroughly enjoyed. It’s a great family day out. </p><p>As to the lighthouse itself, there has been some form of lighthouse here since the 5th century when the monks of St. Dubhán’s Church nearby would keep a beacon continually lit to help guide nearby ships. The present lighthouse dates to the 13th century and was built under the orders of William Marshall and with the now Augustinian monks of St. Dubhán’s still looking after the light. William had survived a shipwreck off the coast of Wexford which likely influenced his decision to improve the beacon. The suggested dates given to the tower’s construction are c.1210-1230. Twelve acres of land were put aside for the monks who looked after the lighthouse. The construction dates of the lighthouse bring up an interesting question – is Hook Lighthouse the oldest continually used lighthouse in the world? Hook Lighthouse would argue that yes, they are. We took an excellent tour of the lighthouse and this claim was repeatedly made. However, the Tower of Hercules in Spain also makes that claim. The Tower of Hercules is a Roman lighthouse and was originally constructed in 2nd century AD. However, it was largely rebuilt in the 18th century while preserving the original Roman core. The tower was also heightened at this time by some 21 metres. I cannot remember the exact reason from the tour as to why they considered Hook to be older, but I imagine it was because of this rebuilding and reconstruction. While parts of the Tower of Hercules is from the 2nd century, much is 18th century in date while Hook is largely unaltered. Therefore, an argument could be made that Hook is the oldest still operating lighthouse in the world. You can make your own minds up on this, it really depends on your perspective. </p><p>While the lighthouse is described as continually used since the 12th century, there has been one known break in usage. In the Down Survey of Hook parish it is described as a former lighthouse and is known to have been out of use since at least 1641. However, this interruption was short-lived and it was reused from 1671 when Robert Readinge upgraded the light to coal in a brazier, encased in glass. It was later owned by Henry Loftus of Loftus Hall in 1688. In 1791, the lamp was upgraded again to one of 12 lamps fuelled by whale oil. Finally, in 1867, the lighthouse was handed over to the Commissioners of Irish Lights who still operate it. They changed the fuel to gas, and later paraffin. In 1972 the lighthouse went electric, and became fully automated in 1996.</p><p>The tower is modelled after a Norman castle <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-k.html" target="_blank">keep</a>, and later medieval drawings show that it was originally <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-c.html" target="_blank">crenelated</a>. It stands, today, to a height of 24.7m and it 12.3m in diameter with the walls a staggering 3.7m thick at the base, narrowing to 2.7m at the top. There are three <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-g.html" target="_blank">groin-vaulted</a> floors internally, with an external <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-b.html" target="_blank">base batter</a>, and <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-m.html" target="_blank">mural</a> stairs throughout. The lower floor is still black from centuries of coal storage. There is evidence of several <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-g.html" target="_blank">garderobes</a>, but these have been altered and blocked up in places. </p><p>Hook Lighthouse is well worth the journey and taking the time to explore. The tour is fantastic, and if you combine it with visiting some of the other historical sites nearby it makes for a great day out.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Difficulty</b> – Good parking and facilities on site. It can be very windy here to wrap up, especially in the winter months. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Date of Visit</b> – 3rd November, 2022.</p><p><br /></p><p>For more sites in Co. Wexford, <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2024/02/wexford.html">click here</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549571534_26b0fcb581_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549571534_26b0fcb581_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549676600_993af90ef4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549676600_993af90ef4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549430873_7c9ab92859_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549430873_7c9ab92859_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549571914_476ac2c715_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549571914_476ac2c715_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549571769_be99a8c3ba_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549571769_be99a8c3ba_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53548369012_a9b58dea69_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53548369012_a9b58dea69_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549573294_9eb4e98dbe_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549573294_9eb4e98dbe_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549432133_324c4f185a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549432133_324c4f185a_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549237761_8baba185db_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549237761_8baba185db_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The groin-vaulted ceiling.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53548369772_e62af109af_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53548369772_e62af109af_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The views from the top are spectacular.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53548369702_58c6c29669_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53548369702_58c6c29669_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549431763_8c6636380a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549431763_8c6636380a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549237416_258716eec3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549237416_258716eec3_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The medieval cobbled floor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549237056_ee45401df4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549237056_ee45401df4_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the medieval outhouses survive.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549572689_b88a6c6719_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53549572689_b88a6c6719_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-5671409580334271582024-02-24T16:52:00.003+00:002024-02-24T17:23:07.756+00:00Wexford<p><a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2024/02/hook-lighthouse-hook-head-co-wexford.html" target="_blank">-Hook Lighhouse</a></p><p>Back to <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2009/08/sites-by-county.html">Sites by County</a>.</p>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-89283299362231286242024-02-23T22:04:00.000+00:002024-02-23T22:04:27.108+00:00Monasteranenagh Abbey (Manister an Aonaigh), Monaster South, Co. Limerick.<p><b>Location </b>– Monasteranenagh Abbey is located roughly 4km east of Croom, on the banks of the River Camoge near the R516 in the townland of Monaster South. Part of the abbey is in a field next to the road, while the main body of the abbey is located another field in. The co-ordinates below are taken from the main abbey.</p><p>OS: R 55046 40782</p><p>Longitude: -8.6630014</p><p>Latitude: 52.516857</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Description and History</b> – While what remains today is impressive, it was clearly a much larger abbey in its day. The abbey was founded in 1148 by the King of Thomand, Turlough O’Brien, and was founded as a Cistercian daughter-house to Mellifont, and dedicated to St. Maria de Magio. Although founded as an abbey it was the backdrop for resistance against the Anglo-Norman invasion, likely due to its close connection to the O’Briens. In 1228 the abbey was partially fortified against the Anglo-Normans, and in 1370 Monasternenagh was the site of a battle between the O’Briens of Thomond, aided by the Mac Con Maras, and Anglo-Norman forces commanded by the Earl of Desmond, Gerald FitzMaurice FitzGerald. While the exact location of the battle is unclear it appears to have been centred around Monasteranenagh. It was a victory for the O’Briens who then went on to sack Limerick city. Records show that the monastery was heavily in debt, and in 1302 it owed £209.6.8 to Ricardi of Lucca. The abbey was eventually suppressed in 1539-40. It was once again the scene of further bloodshed when it was the location of a battle during the Desmond Rebellion, when 40 monks are said to have been slaughtered by Sir Nicholas Malby, although the veracity of this story is debatable considering the abbey had been suppressed some 40 years previously. Some activity did continue, however, at the site as later modifications show. Many of the outbuildings were demolished in 1807 by a Mr. White of Mainster, who used the material for other building projects. </p><p>As you approach the abbey from the road you will first meet a small ruin which is listed as a church, but is possibly a guesthouse for the abbey. Little remains of this structure and it sits next to small burial ground for unbaptised children. It is surrounded by a post-1700 wall, and measures approximately 25m x 6m. It has also been used a graveyard for local people into the 20th century. While the main abbey is still impressive, huge sections of it have been completely destroyed, and not visible above the surface. The church was constructed between 1170 and 1220, along with the remaining chapterhouse, and represent some of the earliest <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-g.html" target="_blank">Gothic architecture</a> in Ireland. The church originally had three side-chapels in each <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-t.html" target="_blank">transept</a>, but these have been destroyed. The <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-n.html" target="_blank">nave</a> was aisled with large arches on either side, and lancet windows can be seen throughout. Decorated stone remains in-situ including foliated capitals carved in sandstone. The <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-c.html" target="_blank">cloister</a>, along with other now missing buildings, can be seen on aerial photographs.</p><p>Despite much of the building being destroyed it still feels imposing, and must have been impressive in its day. It is definitely well worth exploring, and spending time here to get a sense of the structure.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Difficulty</b> – It is a little tricky being so far in from the road, and weather can influence the accessibility being so close to the river. Bring wellies, and be careful of electrified fences and cattle. As always, seek permission from the landowner. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Date of Visit</b> – 25th April, 2010.</p><p><br /></p><p>For more sites in Co. Limerick, <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/11/limerick.html">click here</a>.</p><p>For more ecclesiastical sites, <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/12/ecclesiastical-sites.html">click here</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547856394_c4bb4f5e5d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547856394_c4bb4f5e5d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The remaining wall of the possible guest-house as you enter the site.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547856334_8daccaa010_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547856334_8daccaa010_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Note the mix of modern graves and markers for unbaptised children. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547714208_2e58f41b1f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547714208_2e58f41b1f_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The surrounding wall is modern.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547962740_1a7714ebbb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547962740_1a7714ebbb_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547713978_c7c817ac58_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547713978_c7c817ac58_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the guest-house you begin to approach the main abbey from the north-west.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547713913_e8891f1db6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547713913_e8891f1db6_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546651807_e555294aa9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546651807_e555294aa9_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally an internal wall, the missing sections would have formed an aisle in the main church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547523966_5430cf2f95_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547523966_5430cf2f95_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547713673_7d99f4376d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547713673_7d99f4376d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see where the wall once extended from. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547855844_9960f061ae_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547855844_9960f061ae_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside the church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547523701_33eeac9034_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547523701_33eeac9034_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547713533_0d3d8f9e6f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547713533_0d3d8f9e6f_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547523336_07d4e71b09_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547523336_07d4e71b09_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547961780_ce156452ff_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547961780_ce156452ff_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547713238_b764bb4bcf_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547713238_b764bb4bcf_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547523356_3aff5fff0a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547523356_3aff5fff0a_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546655977_6710e1553d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546655977_6710e1553d_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547528296_9422c5b1cf_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547528296_9422c5b1cf_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sudden use of sandstone on the pillar and remains of the arch really stands out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547966975_610f29d712_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547966975_610f29d712_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546655887_d2a961f5fe_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546655887_d2a961f5fe_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547527941_7231e11e0d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547527941_7231e11e0d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't make head nor tail of this!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546655607_f87b25d856_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546655607_f87b25d856_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547860399_22366f32e5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547860399_22366f32e5_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are all sorts of interesting capital stones here. Many of them are in different styles, which would support a multi-phase development of the site. Some have been partially covered by later building works, and poke out of gaps here and there. It makes me wonder what is still completely covered over. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547860284_f08392a8d3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547860284_f08392a8d3_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547966215_5be5146afc_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547966215_5be5146afc_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547527591_0003af3219_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547527591_0003af3219_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547859824_77105cd877_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547859824_77105cd877_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546655252_a1a5595723_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546655252_a1a5595723_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547965870_caf01d3dac_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547965870_caf01d3dac_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547717103_fa62387da4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547717103_fa62387da4_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547859474_a4134517fa_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547859474_a4134517fa_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547527176_2798b77713_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547527176_2798b77713_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The remaining south aisle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547526896_9dc13fba72_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547526896_9dc13fba72_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547716783_4f8fc4e8fa_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547716783_4f8fc4e8fa_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547859209_66fc4a94d4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547859209_66fc4a94d4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547716443_3032067aa7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547716443_3032067aa7_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547965590_7812cfca88_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547965590_7812cfca88_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547716518_2543d7200a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547716518_2543d7200a_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546654382_00f94352d0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546654382_00f94352d0_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547526561_8036fe7a97_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547526561_8036fe7a97_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547858644_4bbf670f29_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547858644_4bbf670f29_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547716168_925fcacc42_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547716168_925fcacc42_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547965020_d84c0ce3c1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547965020_d84c0ce3c1_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546654012_51d3dea23c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546654012_51d3dea23c_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547858234_b2eb986732_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547858234_b2eb986732_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547525961_117bf3e1dc_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547525961_117bf3e1dc_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the east.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547715878_6fe52fb45c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547715878_6fe52fb45c_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A more modern vault at the site.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546653507_4d9dc9835c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546653507_4d9dc9835c_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The east gable of the chapter-house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546653357_1e40b91ac1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546653357_1e40b91ac1_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547715473_4efb4dc3d8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547715473_4efb4dc3d8_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547964195_24d0e83293_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547964195_24d0e83293_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Viewed from the chapter-house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547715503_ab534cf21a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547715503_ab534cf21a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Parts of ruined walls are dotted around the site, part of now-destroyed buildings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547964040_b2947f8ff8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547964040_b2947f8ff8_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547715098_c0006db24f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547715098_c0006db24f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The chapter-house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546652942_e285330e13_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546652942_e285330e13_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547857374_e359ef690d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547857374_e359ef690d_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546652767_8ba81c652f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546652767_8ba81c652f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547857029_eb8605ce6a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547857029_eb8605ce6a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547857034_91cfc069ef_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547857034_91cfc069ef_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547524931_0b66615cde_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547524931_0b66615cde_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547856939_bbebc1b253_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547856939_bbebc1b253_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547963185_18d4e6ae06_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547963185_18d4e6ae06_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547856679_35e840e8ac_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547856679_35e840e8ac_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547524536_2b6fb6648e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547524536_2b6fb6648e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547963100_77cecc1dc3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53547963100_77cecc1dc3_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-17910891606249016772024-02-22T18:09:00.000+00:002024-02-22T18:09:53.777+00:00The Market Cross, Glendalough. Co. Wicklow.<p><b>Location</b> – In the main visitor’s centre at Glendalough.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Description and History</b> – The first thing that struck me about this granite cross was its size. It is tiny compared with other high-crosses of its age. It has all the ornamentation you would expect of a high-cross, but on a much smaller scale. It measures only 1.7m in height. Its name, the market cross, is thought to come from the idea that this cross originally marked the site of a market at Glendalough located near the gateway to the site, although there is no archaeological evidence that it was ever actually placed here. Christiaan Corlett has speculated that it may have originally been located nearer the Cathedral. </p><p>The head of the cross shows the crucified Christ in high relief, his head tilted to one side, and set against an interlace pattern. There is a circular hole in Christ’s chest, and there are others on the cross as well. These might have been to facilitate the addition of removable elements during religious festivals at certain times of the year. Underneath the crucifixion is a depiction of an ecclesiastic, possibly St. Kevin. Corlett has postulated that it could also be a depiction of a 12th century ecclesiastic called Lorcán Ua Tuathain who spent his inheritance on building works at Glendalough. The two figures on the base of the cross could possibly be his parents. On the sides of the cross are interlace animal and floral patterns in Urnes style.</p><p>It is now located inside the main visitor’s centre at Glendalough, protected from any further weathering. It is well displayed and well illuminated.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Difficulty</b> – East to find and easily accessible. There is a small entrance fee into the visitor’s centre.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Date of visit</b> - 27th July 2023.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2018/12/glendalough-monastic-city-co-wicklow.html">Back to the Glendalough main menu</a>.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53441212489_5f31e2229f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53441212489_5f31e2229f_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53439971452_861ef3e034_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53439971452_861ef3e034_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53439971477_7fe22ea9f6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53439971477_7fe22ea9f6_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53440896291_64949cc330_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53440896291_64949cc330_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53441030878_1d18abb1f8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53441030878_1d18abb1f8_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53440896046_d5f608a9e3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53440896046_d5f608a9e3_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53441212264_530c8e4816_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53441212264_530c8e4816_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53441306730_153df70dfb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53441306730_153df70dfb_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-5935878078713649582024-01-03T23:31:00.000+00:002024-01-03T23:31:14.892+00:00Cahir Castle, Co. Tipperary.<p><b>Location</b> – On Castle Street in the centre of Cahir, on the banks of the River Suir.</p><p>OS: S 05027 24742</p><p>Longitude: -7.9269013</p><p>Latitude: 52.374525</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Description and History</b> – The present remains of Cahir Castle are situated on a natural rocky island in the River Suir. Like several Norman build castles in Ireland it is built on an earlier Irish fortification called Cathair Dhún Iascaigh. It is possible that this fortification was once the seat of the Kings of Munster before the arrival of Christianity and the seat was moved to the <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-rock-of-cashel-co-tipperary.html" target="_blank">Rock of Cashel</a>. However, there is little evidence for this. Cahir was in the hands of the O’Briens of Thomond in the later 12th century during the Norman invasion of Ireland it was granted to Philip of Worcester who is probably responsible for the early phases of the castle’s building in the early 13th century. Through marriage the castle briefly came into the hands of the de Berminghams. During the Gaelic resurgence in the 14th century, infighting amongst the Normans led to the castle falling back into the hands of the O’Briens and town was burned by them in 1332. The area was regained in the later 14th century and it was then granted to James, the third Earl of Ormond in 1375. It was the Butlers of the 15th and 16th centuries that were responsible for the majority of the castle’s construction. In 1596 the Baron Cahir, Thomas Butler, joined the rebellion of Hugh O’Neill against the crown and against his relative the Earl of Ormond. The castle was besieged and taken by the Earl of Essex in 1599. Thomas escaped and recaptured the castle the following year, and eventually received a full pardon for his part in the rebellion in 1601, likely due to the influence of his relative the Earl of Ormond. During the Irish Confederate Wars the castle was taken by Murrough O’Brien the Lord Inchuquin, in 1647 before the Sack of Cashel. In 1650 the castle was taken bloodlessly by Oliver Cromwell, who offered one chance for surrender before attack. It was, therefore, spared destruction which happened to so many other castles at this time. Following the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II it was returned to the Butlers. The Butlers remained at Cahir until the late 18th century when it was mentioned that the castle was falling into ruin. Much work was done to the castle between 1840-1846 by Richard Butler who had inherited the castle. He sought to restore it and employed architect William Tinsley to carry out the work. The castle was finally taken into state care in 1964 when the hall of the castle was still in use. </p><p>The first phase of the castle’s construction, likely by Philip of Worcester, consisted of the old gatehouse, the hall, and the walls of the inner <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-w.html" target="_blank">ward</a> area. This incorporated parts of the older Irish fortification. Towers and several modifications were made in the 15th and 16th centuries and much of the present remains date to this period. The castle would have been approached across the river, and through a barbican gate. This section was almost completely rebuilt in the 19th century moving the doorway from its original location. The circular tower over the bridge was added in the 15th or 16th century, and square tower still has a cannon ball embedded in it from the siege of 1599. The outer ward walls date to the 16th century, and were repaired in the 19th century. The cottage in the outer ward is a 19th century addition. The present gateway into the inner ward is a 16th century addition, possible reusing stone from the original 13th century gateway which was then blocked. The 13th century gatehouse, which was the main accommodation on the site and protects the inner ward, is very well preserved, and has a projecting 16th century square tower at one end. In the north-east tower of the inner ward there is a small basement prison. The lower portions of the tower are 13th century in date, while the upper portions are likely 15th century in date. The well tower appears to be a 16th century addition where visitors can climb up to the top of today. The large tower in the north-west of the inner ward was added to the site of the 13th century hall in the late 15th century. This was used for accommodation on the upper floors, and entertaining smaller groups away from the hall on the lower floor. A <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-g.html" target="_blank">garderobe</a> survives on the first floor. The hall has very few 13th century features remaining, and may have been partially wooden, in keeping with most halls at this time. Most of the hall was rebuilt in the 19th century. </p><p>The castle is one of the best preserved in Ireland, and gives a good overview of how castles would be changed to suit the ever changing political situation in Ireland. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Difficulty</b> – Open to the public, but there are many narrow steps throughout and might be difficult for people with mobility issues. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Date of Visit</b> – 14th August, 2023. </p><p><br /></p><p>For more castles, <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/12/castles.html">click here</a>.</p><p>For more sites in Co. Tipperary, <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/11/tipperary.html">click here</a>.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223087887_a4b64b01a7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223087887_a4b64b01a7_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224272718_63159fbfb4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /> <img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224272718_63159fbfb4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223088287_b32e874b98_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223088287_b32e874b98_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224271698_6f2d6a4b04_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224271698_6f2d6a4b04_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223956066_4d9f1172bd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223956066_4d9f1172bd_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224463315_040b2524d5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224463315_040b2524d5_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224463330_9e78e04f62_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224463330_9e78e04f62_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223086202_b6b3c5e79b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223086202_b6b3c5e79b_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224343574_677924800c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224343574_677924800c_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223086172_0b83e00520_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223086172_0b83e00520_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223954516_ffff5ca2f0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223954516_ffff5ca2f0_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The cannon ball stuck in the wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224343704_7f1bac20c1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224343704_7f1bac20c1_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223952591_7fbe8c0ca5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223952591_7fbe8c0ca5_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224268803_911fdb16c8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224268803_911fdb16c8_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223084002_7505711b35_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223084002_7505711b35_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224341324_78054dca3d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224341324_78054dca3d_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224340559_e347a0ac0c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224340559_e347a0ac0c_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inner gatehouse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223951606_7e352c6d3c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223951606_7e352c6d3c_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spot the other cannon ball.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224340369_53b84b0e59_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224340369_53b84b0e59_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224266903_32eb511b13_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224266903_32eb511b13_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224265703_2b984f29e8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224265703_2b984f29e8_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224456365_bd172edf52_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224456365_bd172edf52_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224337979_6dd67f68a2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224337979_6dd67f68a2_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224264463_c284cf8822_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224264463_c284cf8822_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223079512_bdcfb93eab_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223079512_bdcfb93eab_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223948476_1121da2610_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223948476_1121da2610_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224335784_d564257134_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224335784_d564257134_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224453310_cf010ceef8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224453310_cf010ceef8_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The garderobe! Looks like you'd get a chilly bum!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224261703_bd17d9825c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224261703_bd17d9825c_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224335054_3653b51eee_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224335054_3653b51eee_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224260838_31b588ee15_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224260838_31b588ee15_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224261058_f1145226e9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224261058_f1145226e9_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224261043_a6b037d77f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224261043_a6b037d77f_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223945361_3964b61af4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223945361_3964b61af4_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224451970_4018211a58_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224451970_4018211a58_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224260028_82df2951fc_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224260028_82df2951fc_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224333429_4a87e5553d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224333429_4a87e5553d_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224333389_60f0a5ef36_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224333389_60f0a5ef36_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223944171_39cddf31c6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223944171_39cddf31c6_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The mechanisms for the reconstructed drawbridge. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223944091_c0acbdc4f3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223944091_c0acbdc4f3_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223944146_79c5e049cf_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223944146_79c5e049cf_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224259248_0e90c4ca3a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224259248_0e90c4ca3a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223943771_9bd74ac8c5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223943771_9bd74ac8c5_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224259253_d2d68c98a9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224259253_d2d68c98a9_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223073452_083e01cd16_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53223073452_083e01cd16_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224449600_6ec6c7f5d1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224449600_6ec6c7f5d1_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224259038_62689af2b5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224259038_62689af2b5_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224446720_aa391c1a13_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224446720_aa391c1a13_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A <a href="https://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-m.html" target="_blank">machicolation</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224329694_27f0e6b375_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224329694_27f0e6b375_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224328679_6bb36cda43_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224328679_6bb36cda43_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224255683_599a392b55_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53224255683_599a392b55_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-57295326218498778252023-08-08T22:53:00.006+01:002023-08-08T22:53:55.700+01:00Reefert Church, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow.<p><b>Location</b> – Hidden from view in the trees on the south side of the Upper Lake at Glendalough. There is a path that leads to it.</p><p>OS: T 11011 96087</p><p>Longitude: -6.3468522</p><p>Latitude: 53.004242</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Description and History</b> – It took me four visits to Glendalough to actually make it to Reefert Church. On all the other visits the priority was elsewhere, or we simply ran out of time. However, it was worth the wait as this is a lovely little spot and I had it all to myself. It is not far from the Upper Lake, which was absolutely packed out, but it is up a little path and hidden away in the trees and not visible from below, so it gets overlooked. </p><p>The name Reefert is unusual and comes from the Irish <i>ríogh fheart</i>, meaning ‘royal cemetery.’ However, this generally means a secular burial ground of pre-Christian origin. This would indicate that this site was long in use before the advent of Christianity in Ireland in the 5th century and the Christianisation of Glendalough by St. Kevin. Traditionally Reefert is believed to have been the burial ground of the chiefs of the O’Tooles who ruled in this area. This could well have been their burial ground before a church was built here. The early 12th century church that is located on the site now is the not the first to have been built here, and the doorway in the western wall reuses stone from this older foundation, and has a large lintel and inclining jambs, typical of earlier churches. The church is of a simple <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-n.html" target="_blank">nave</a> and <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-c.html" target="_blank">chancel</a> design and was one of the first of type to have been built in Ireland. It is constructed of granite, undecorated, and a little short of 9m long and just over 5m wide at its widest. Internally it was lit with small round-headed windows throughout. External brackets show where the roof was carried. </p><p>The graveyard is just as impressive as the church and contains many grave-markers from the 12th century and earlier. Several <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-c.html" target="_blank">cross-slabs</a> were found here which are now housed in the visitors’ centre. Several plain crosses remain in-situ, while one is decorated on its head with an interlace pattern. These plain crosses could have been stations for pilgrims. It has been speculated that the graveyard continued from its use as burial ground for chiefs, and was later used for important ecclesiastics. Part of the altar from Reefert survives, and is now located inside <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2018/12/st-kevins-chapel-glendalough-co-wicklow.html" target="_blank">St. Kevin’s Church</a>. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Difficulty</b> – Once you know where it is, it is easy to find. You have to follow a gravel path for a short distance and ascend several steps to get into the graveyard. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Date of Visit</b> – 27th July 2023.</p><p><br /></p><p>Back to the Glendalough <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2018/12/glendalough-monastic-city-co-wicklow.html">main menu</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098767938_741aa15df2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098767938_741aa15df2_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097708402_f61c3a3ba6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097708402_f61c3a3ba6_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098672085_4a1261d395_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098672085_4a1261d395_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098272026_4b2d8002dd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098272026_4b2d8002dd_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098764758_8bc2b367d8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098764758_8bc2b367d8_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The cross with the interlace pattern.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098764768_77de46c759_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098764768_77de46c759_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098673645_5628288c49_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098673645_5628288c49_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097706252_6122a69a16_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097706252_6122a69a16_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098674370_02bed005e1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098674370_02bed005e1_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the corbels that would hold up the roof from the outside.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098452594_fb6a386f23_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098452594_fb6a386f23_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097703682_cb72eea30a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097703682_cb72eea30a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098274116_d244d6f0d8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098274116_d244d6f0d8_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098762848_788e55d7c0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098762848_788e55d7c0_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098448649_ae737f0770_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098448649_ae737f0770_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098759888_ed3dcfc3f3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098759888_ed3dcfc3f3_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking from the east. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097702932_f28457bb7d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097702932_f28457bb7d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098670420_59e5800943_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098670420_59e5800943_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the main plain crosses in the graveyard. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098762348_7d898a9394_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098762348_7d898a9394_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097700527_79ab00cff9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097700527_79ab00cff9_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The nave.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098668245_7733860009_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098668245_7733860009_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098761183_d9116e2a8a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098761183_d9116e2a8a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking into the chancel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098760583_28e73a342b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098760583_28e73a342b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098447969_51364fc083_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098447969_51364fc083_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098761218_4304805231_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098761218_4304805231_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098759903_6daaf41750_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098759903_6daaf41750_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098672215_f49c5d5d47_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098672215_f49c5d5d47_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A slab decorated with what looks like a cross, with a border. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098275836_d94ca82265_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098275836_d94ca82265_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098275286_a08ea04097_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098275286_a08ea04097_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098675420_87ef9cb7cb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098675420_87ef9cb7cb_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097707662_070be2324c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097707662_070be2324c_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098766623_12c9222caa_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098766623_12c9222caa_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098676395_1f0ab538b8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53098676395_1f0ab538b8_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-53686784851999444992023-08-02T00:54:00.001+01:002023-08-02T00:54:40.015+01:00St. Dominic's Abbey, Cashel, Co. Tipperary. <p><b>Location</b> – In the centre of Cashel in a housing estate on Dominic Street. Note that this is closed to the public, but can be viewed from outside. </p><p>OS: S 07655 40711</p><p>Longitude: -7.8879435</p><p>Latitude: 52.518020</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Description and History</b> - Sitting in the shadow of the <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-rock-of-cashel-co-tipperary.html" target="_blank">Rock of Cashel</a>, Dominic’s Abbey is in stark contrast with the modern residential buildings that surround it. Founded in 1243 by the Archbishop of Cashel, David MacKelly, St. Dominic’s Abbey was the home to Dominican friars for several hundred years. The original structure consisted of a simple <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-n.html" target="_blank">nave</a> and <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-c.html" target="_blank">chancel</a> church, with an aisle and <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-t.html" target="_blank">transept</a> being added around 1270. It was in this period that the Dominican friars of Ireland held their general chapters in 1289 and 1307. The building was largely destroyed by fire in 1480, and subsequently rebuilt by Archbishop John Cantwell. It was at this time that the bell tower was added to the remains of the original fire damaged structure. The windows were altered at this time as well, with the original gothic <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-l.html" target="_blank">lancet</a> windows being filled in, and replaced with fine examples of <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-t.html" target="_blank">tracery</a> style windows, in the east and west walls, and in the south transept. Lancet windows remain visible on the north wall of the abbey, while the base of 9 lancet windows can still be seen in the south wall of the chancel area. At the time of its rebuilding it was said that Dominic’s Abbey was the most beautiful Dominican building in Ireland. However, the structure only remained in use for another 60 years as it was eventually surrendered to Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1540s. The building was later granted to Walter Fleming, a merchant of Cashel. </p><p>Within the structure today the remains of niche tombs can be seen embedded into the north wall of the chancel, while in the north wall of the nave the remains of two carved figures can be seen. One is a small figure, possibly a representation of the infant Jesus, while the other appears to the head of a larger effigy, possibly part of a series of effigies belonging to the Hackett family. Four complete effigies are situated in the graveyard of the nearby <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2021/10/the-hackett-effigies-cashel-co-tipperary.html" target="_blank">St. John the Baptist’s graveyard</a>, and a partial effigy sits in the <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-hall-of-vicars-choral-rock-of.html" target="_blank">Hall of the Vicar’s Choral</a> at the Rock of Cashel. </p><p>Near the entrance on the west wall of the church is the remains of a sarcophagus. A sarcophagus was generally carved from a single block of stone with a lid placed on top. It is likely that an effigy, possibly one of the examples that survive in Cashel today, once sat on top. Sarcophagi are relatively rare in Ireland with only 17 known examples, 3 of which are located in Cashel. </p><p>While the building was largely abandoned following the dissolution of the monasteries, the Dominicans retained a small presence in Cashel up until the 19th century, when the last Dominican Prior of Cashel, Father John Conway died in Cashel around 1866. </p><p>Along with the <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-rock-of-cashel-co-tipperary.html" target="_blank">Rock of Cashel</a> and <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2023/01/hore-abbey-cashel-co-tipperary.html" target="_blank">Hore Abbey</a>, St. Dominic’s Abbey serves as a reminder of Cashel’s rich medieval heritage. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Difficulty</b> – Easy to find and get to, parking is right outside. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Date of visit</b> – Various dated between 2020 and 2023. </p><p><br /></p><p>For more sites in Co. Tipperary, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/11/tipperary.html">click here</a>.</p><p>For more ecclesiastical sites, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/12/ecclesiastical-sites.html">click here</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087363591_08c2070bd5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087363591_08c2070bd5_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking at the west end of the abbey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087364621_867793e28f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087364621_867793e28f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087363781_812378c286_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087363781_812378c286_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087363601_c5c010663b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087363601_c5c010663b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Note the blocked up lancet windows and the later inserted tracery windows. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087771115_4df1ec9b75_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087771115_4df1ec9b75_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking along the north side.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087861308_822216c389_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087861308_822216c389_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The south side, looking towards the transept. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087861328_30e5909a95_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087861328_30e5909a95_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087770895_271cc8b85f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087770895_271cc8b85f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087861073_6e1e145bc4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087861073_6e1e145bc4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The beautiful tracery window of the transept. You can see here how close the modern buildings encroach.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087770890_e13a236c90_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087770890_e13a236c90_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The outside of the chancel. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087770885_dacf445193_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087770885_dacf445193_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087364256_9d645c9899_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087364256_9d645c9899_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087860933_ea376bfa9e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087860933_ea376bfa9e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can just make out a modern red-brick dovecote inserted into the wall of the transept. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087364211_eea3c5044c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087364211_eea3c5044c_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087364056_90fa21d8d4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087364056_90fa21d8d4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087861593_923d3778a4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087861593_923d3778a4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking from the west wall. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087775560_a38f7a4b65_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087775560_a38f7a4b65_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking to the inside of the west wall. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087366056_8d1fa12671_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087366056_8d1fa12671_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside of the north wall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53086807602_9565fdbf6a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53086807602_9565fdbf6a_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking through to the chancel. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087776375_415121cef1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087776375_415121cef1_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bell-tower.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087365671_e1e9f3d187_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087365671_e1e9f3d187_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53086803492_6293ed7d1c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53086803492_6293ed7d1c_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This doorway was partially blocked when the transept was added to the original structure. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087775615_b3dd426cf4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087775615_b3dd426cf4_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Doorway leading to the now destroyed spiral steps that led upto the bell-tower.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087866933_3e0bbdefa0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087866933_3e0bbdefa0_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The remaining steps. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53086806362_508a2ef321_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53086806362_508a2ef321_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087865958_641befdd13_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087865958_641befdd13_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking out of an entrance/exit on the north side of the abbey. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087365646_d58f66047b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087365646_d58f66047b_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087771940_fcc999057f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087771940_fcc999057f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking at the inside of the entrance on the west end. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087365501_4ded7c7a4a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087365501_4ded7c7a4a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The transept. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087365561_b66dbfcf9f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087365561_b66dbfcf9f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087557334_9e39a720d5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087557334_9e39a720d5_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087551319_439f0546f1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087551319_439f0546f1_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The remains of the lancet windows. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53086807417_e7be35d2e3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53086807417_e7be35d2e3_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The piscina. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087370211_da0f3121f5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087370211_da0f3121f5_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087860603_fa38a0ab7b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087860603_fa38a0ab7b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The chancel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087770385_01b875d899_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087770385_01b875d899_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087772630_25268c1ddd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087772630_25268c1ddd_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087366116_7bddf7cf06_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087366116_7bddf7cf06_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The base of a pillar of an archway which was part of an aisle. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087365186_ce792fd73f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087365186_ce792fd73f_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A medieval cross-slab. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087771810_e44abd1820_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087771810_e44abd1820_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The remains of a sarcophagus. There are only 17 known sarcophagi in Ireland and three of them are located in Cashel. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087552489_425c68694d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087552489_425c68694d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Probably part of a tomb, now embedded into the wall. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087867308_75d6bd8a23_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087867308_75d6bd8a23_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A fragment of sculpture, probably showing an infant Christ. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087776930_9553b454fd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087776930_9553b454fd_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Part of an effigy depicting a woman, possibly one of the Hackett effigies. </div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-67678461114637872452023-01-15T22:39:00.002+00:002023-01-15T22:39:27.882+00:00Bauraglanna, Stone Circle, Co. Tipperary.<p><b>Location</b> – This stone circle is quite difficult to find and I would recommend bringing an Ordnance Survey map with you. Take the R499 west from Silvermines and take a left onto the L2110. A few kilometres along take a right down a small road leading through forested land. About 4km along here you will see an old abandoned cottage on the right hand side next to an overgrown trackway. Park here and walk 300m up the trackway. There is a fence on the left leading into a field. From here walk diagonally to the right and you should find the circle. </p><p>OS: R 83821 67801 (map 59)</p><p>Longitude: -8.2404138</p><p>Latitude: 52.761291</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Description and History</b> – This <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-s.html" target="_blank">stone circle</a>, while small, was absolutely fantastic to visit. It’s hard to get to, but that makes the reward of finally getting to it so special, and the views from here of Slievekimalta (Keeper Hill) are spectacular. On the 1840 Ordnance Survey map the circle is referred to as “Firbreaga.” The circle is comprised of about 11 standing stones, although there are clearly a few missing now, so the true number could be about 15. The circle is 12.5m in diameter and the tallest is about 1.9m high while some of the stones barely protrude above ground level. There is a recumbent stone in the centre of the stone circle. Anthony Weir of Irish Megaliths has speculated that the tall stone forms a line through the circle towards a notch in the hill. I wonder if this could be a possible solar or lunar alignment. It would be interesting to investigate this possibility. Ó Nualláin (1987) has speculated that there may have been a double row of stones here as several stones are located 60cm to 1m further out from the main circle. There are also two outlying stones 3m away from the circle, which may be outliers or possibly stones that had been removed at some point from the main circle. Some of the smaller stones definitely appear to have been broken off and were likely taller originally. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Difficulty</b> – This is a tricky one to find and get to. You will need a certain level of fitness and I would recommend going in good weather as it does get very boggy here after rain. Remember that this is on private land. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Date of Visit</b> – 19th June, 2010</p><p><br /></p><p>For more stone circles, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2003/01/standing-stones.html">click here</a>.</p><p>For more sites in Co. Tipperary, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/11/tipperary.html">click here</a>. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629631574_915c61b3e3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629631574_915c61b3e3_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The overgrown track up to the stone circle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629384806_cfaf3d10d0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629384806_cfaf3d10d0_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking across the field where the stone circle is. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629384716_5f4defbf5d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629384716_5f4defbf5d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see some of the taller stones here. Some are not visible above the level of the grass. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629631199_d40908a220_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629631199_d40908a220_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629631079_d0f232174a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629631079_d0f232174a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629864068_2b5937d3e6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629864068_2b5937d3e6_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629384191_85f10ab82f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629384191_85f10ab82f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629384031_d16d1ee767_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629384031_d16d1ee767_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The largest stone of the circle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629383871_61b5b9b637_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629383871_61b5b9b637_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629630409_b658abe60f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629630409_b658abe60f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629383511_b38141e760_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629383511_b38141e760_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629818750_16de7d847d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629818750_16de7d847d_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629818600_376287db4a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629818600_376287db4a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629383096_e1a06e1ede_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629383096_e1a06e1ede_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629382956_9d8b05d9d6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629382956_9d8b05d9d6_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629382826_5fd40ee8e4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629382826_5fd40ee8e4_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52628862292_ede10c4309_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52628862292_ede10c4309_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629382386_6b122ae66b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629382386_6b122ae66b_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629628934_7acf811c2b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629628934_7acf811c2b_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-13488061711151732222023-01-14T12:27:00.001+00:002023-01-14T12:27:09.583+00:00Ballinlough, Standing Stone, Co. Tipperary.<p><b>Location</b> – About 3km south-east of Toomyvara in isolated farmland. </p><p>OS: R 99298 74741 (map 59)</p><p>Longitude: -8.0111461</p><p>Latitude: 52.823904</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Description and History</b> – This <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-s.html" target="_blank">standing stone</a> now sits as part of a modern field boundary, next to two large modern farm buildings at the edge of a field. In the summer months it can be quite overgrown. The area is quite isolated and mountainous. The stone is 2.3m high and is orientated NE-SW. It is known locally as the ‘Long Stone’. There is folklore attached to the stone that it is one of the Devil’s teeth. This is connected to the legend of the Devilsbit Mountain, not located that far away. The legend says that the Devil, in trying to elude St. Patrick, transformed into a giant and took a bite out of the top of a mountain and in doing so broke his teeth which fell out of his mouth. This stone, in folklore, is one of those teeth. The bite the Devil took according to the legend is now the <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-rock-of-cashel-co-tipperary.html" target="_blank">Rock of Cashel</a>.</p><p>This is a nice standing stone, which forms part of a much larger ancient landscape, and it is sat to see it neglected and just part of a field boundary. There is a ring-barrow in the field opposite and two are likely connected. I didn't realise there was a barrow there at the time and never photographed it. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Difficulty</b> – While the area is isolated the stone is easy to find and is right on the side of the road. There is ample space to park a car. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Date of Visit</b> – 19th June, 2010. </p><p><br /></p><p>For more sites in Co. Tipperary, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/11/tipperary.html" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p><p>For more standing stones, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2003/01/standing-stones.html" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52625705497_9c3c4e7f64_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52625705497_9c3c4e7f64_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52625705452_aa14921615_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52625705452_aa14921615_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52626655840_34849c0d35_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52626655840_34849c0d35_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52626655810_3ed649c48e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52626655810_3ed649c48e_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52626693993_4562d537b4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52626693993_4562d537b4_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-8838521195698450492023-01-14T11:13:00.001+00:002023-01-14T12:08:27.548+00:00Hore Abbey, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.<p><b>Location</b> – Just off the R505 directly to the west of the <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-rock-of-cashel-co-tipperary.html" target="_blank">Rock of Cashel</a> and clearly visible from there. </p><p>OS: S 06965 40786</p><p>Longitude: -7.8981078</p><p>Latitude: 52.518702</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Description and History</b> – Hore Abbey, otherwise known as St. Mary’s Abbey of the Rock, sits in a low field to the west of the <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-rock-of-cashel-co-tipperary.html" target="_blank">Rock of Cashel</a>. The name ‘Hore’ likely derives from the Irish word for Yew Tree, <i>Iubhair</i>, although other origins have been suggested including deriving from the term a ‘hoar frost’ or even from an old word for grey because of the colour of the monks’ robes. While it was constructed in the latter half of the 13th century there is significant folklore attached to its founding. Folklore says that it was originally a Benedictine monastery, but that the Archbishop David MacCarwell had nightmares that the monks were plotting against him and intended to behead him. He then removed the Benedictines from Cashel and replaced them with Cistercians. While the story is certainly apocryphal it is an interesting insight into how the politics and society of the day can be misinterpreted. MacCarwell’s expulsion of the Benedictines from Cashel seems to have caused some resentment in the town, particularly from the Anglo-Norman residents of the town, as MacCarwell favoured the Irish and gave generous endowments to the abbey including lands, mills, and even gave two flagons of ale to the monastery from every brewing in the staggering 38 breweries in Cashel. This all came at the expense of the Anglo-Norman residents of the town and caused significant resentment, and was considered an unnecessary interference by the archbishop. </p><p>Hore Abbey was founded around the year 1270 as the last Cistercian foundation in Ireland and was connected to Mellifont in Louth. What remains today is a mixture of 13th and 15th century material. The original layout of the church can still be seen, although a wall was added in the 15th century to significantly shorten the <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-n.html" target="_blank">nave</a>, and the rest was turned into accommodation, which can be seen from the added fireplaces. This likely happened due to decreased population levels following the Black Death, coupled with an increase in people entering the church as monks. The crossing tower was added in the 15th century, and has fine rib-vaulting, with several intricate <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-m.html" target="_blank">mason’s marks</a> still visible. The original 13th century church consisted of a nave and <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-c.html" target="_blank">chancel</a>, with <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-t.html" target="_blank">transepts</a>, and aisles. The <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-s.html" target="_blank">sacristy</a> and chapter house also survive, with a <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-b.html" target="_blank">bullaun stone</a> having been inserted into the top of a wall in the chapter house. The <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-c.html" target="_blank">cloister</a>, unusually on the north of the site, also survives in the form of wall footings, with one reconstructed arch. Inside the church are the remains of the altar, and partially blocked lancet windows. The <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-p.html" target="_blank">piscina</a> and sedilia are still intact. </p><p>The site was abandoned during the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540, although part remained in use as a parish church, and other areas were reused as houses, although little physical evidence for this survives. Hore Abbey gives a fascinating insight into the changing society and needs of the people around Cashel between the 13th and 16th centuries, and is worth exploring at length. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Difficulty</b> – Easy to find and to get to. There is ample road space to pull in and park, and it is a short walk across the field. It can get muddy during wet weather and cattle are often kept in the field where the abbey sits. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Date of visit</b>: Various dates between 2010 and 2022.</p><p><br /></p><p>For more sites in Co. Tipperary, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/11/tipperary.html" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p><p>For more ecclesiastical sites, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/12/ecclesiastical-sites.html" target="_blank">click here</a>. </p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616311573_2f66483658_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616311573_2f66483658_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615835611_e2d6d5aefc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615835611_e2d6d5aefc_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615326292_61a6672805_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615326292_61a6672805_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616325878_1b60ed28c5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616325878_1b60ed28c5_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615835086_62be5d7128_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615835086_62be5d7128_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616098344_770eb25135_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616098344_770eb25135_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">With the Rock of Cashel in the background. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616325953_d2c4fb06d6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616325953_d2c4fb06d6_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615325647_c336005390_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615325647_c336005390_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615834811_71449a58eb_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615834811_71449a58eb_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615325392_3707dc838c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615325392_3707dc838c_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616324373_e1bf24d9c6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616324373_e1bf24d9c6_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616095924_0a9d68735c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616095924_0a9d68735c_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Rock of Cashel as viewed from Hore Abbey. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616091494_ae38bdcd86_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616091494_ae38bdcd86_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Moving into the cloister.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615318742_c9bfc29508_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615318742_c9bfc29508_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616093989_06ba1a55a5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616093989_06ba1a55a5_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615320757_b7d6d096ef_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615320757_b7d6d096ef_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615831866_4d7780a525_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615831866_4d7780a525_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The west gable end of the original nave from the outside. Note the large buttresses. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616256385_3dc2747601_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616256385_3dc2747601_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many parts have a large base batter. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616088569_ccb73e47f1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616088569_ccb73e47f1_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The east gable end of the church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616257415_cbf60f7354_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616257415_cbf60f7354_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The cloister.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616311703_4332a2b9d2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616311703_4332a2b9d2_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The reconstructed arcade in the cloister.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615316907_e9fcaaa9a5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615316907_e9fcaaa9a5_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616256725_609e733987_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616256725_609e733987_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside what was originally the nave. The wall in the centre of the frame was added in the 15th century when the nave shorted and turned into accomodation. You can see where the arches leading into the aisle was blocked up. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616085679_3421138634_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616085679_3421138634_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking from the nave into the chancel. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616312818_d63cfe69bb_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616312818_d63cfe69bb_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking from the chancel into the nave. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615313622_1cda407a5b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615313622_1cda407a5b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking up at the fine rib-vaulting under the crossing tower. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616317143_fdea967b97_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616317143_fdea967b97_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616090074_cfa1649a8e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616090074_cfa1649a8e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The piscina. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615826526_775941c9da_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615826526_775941c9da_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616316843_9682872ac4_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616316843_9682872ac4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616089779_93c029ab71_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616089779_93c029ab71_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615826096_8d4af53f9c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615826096_8d4af53f9c_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616085364_5484319183_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616085364_5484319183_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The south aisle. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616256980_649877f474_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616256980_649877f474_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616257045_d5a5659c11_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616257045_d5a5659c11_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616312883_176ecff8db_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616312883_176ecff8db_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615318047_e53b118bc5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615318047_e53b118bc5_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615317267_78664cc63d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615317267_78664cc63d_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A small side chapel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616085984_69bbdb6c72_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616085984_69bbdb6c72_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615825756_972087788c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615825756_972087788c_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616316478_5a7f82920d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616316478_5a7f82920d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616260750_79fcb9e073_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616260750_79fcb9e073_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615825446_a33198ae4b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615825446_a33198ae4b_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615824091_db5c23d4cb_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615824091_db5c23d4cb_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The chapter house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616313938_ea8ca2ea64_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616313938_ea8ca2ea64_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616313233_230fc45939_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616313233_230fc45939_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This is my favourite part of the whole site. This is the base of a doorway leading into a transept on the south side of the site. You can see where the door has been open and closed to many times it eroded the stone away. How many times monks open and closed this door is amazing to me. It also shows to me that the door scrapped on the stone quite a lot, and nobody ever fixed it. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615314007_3ab9e18777_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615314007_3ab9e18777_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616256555_85465caa3c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616256555_85465caa3c_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616257945_c450041de6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616257945_c450041de6_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>This plaster outline can be found in the chancel, possible the outline for some artwork that no longer survives. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615823196_1d5fbe8b56_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615823196_1d5fbe8b56_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615823381_c803c1c280_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615823381_c803c1c280_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Knotwork mason marks on the arch of the crossing tower. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615823426_1632e2ea02_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615823426_1632e2ea02_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616084809_3828e14bd1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616084809_3828e14bd1_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A 19th century ordnance survey benchmark, otherwise known as a crow's foot. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615823836_3e4079e589_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615823836_3e4079e589_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615315377_3265aa268c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615315377_3265aa268c_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A decorative pattern located in the cloister area. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616087924_c0ded364f1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616087924_c0ded364f1_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616259630_f561a02792_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616259630_f561a02792_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the many initials carved around the site. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615316052_fa3e1977fa_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615316052_fa3e1977fa_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616316028_c9666aa3af_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616316028_c9666aa3af_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This little carving of a monk's face can be found on the entrance into the nave from the cloister area. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615819896_6ce9838c75_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615819896_6ce9838c75_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>This bullaun stone is located high up on the chapter house wall. Not its original location, I would guess it was placed here for safekeeping sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. I generally associate bullaun stones with early Christian sites so it could be possible that this was brought from somewhere else. <br /><div><br /></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-37497716700420158052022-03-31T22:36:00.001+01:002022-03-31T22:50:57.613+01:00The Hall of the Vicar’s Choral, Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary.<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Location</b> – This building is now home to the main reception, and is the first building that people will encounter when visiting the site.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">OS: S 07468 40901</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Longitude: -7.8906968</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Latitude: 52.519730</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Description and History</b> – The Hall of the Vicar’s Choral is contemporary with the tower house and can also be attributed to the Archbishop Richard O’Hedian in the early 15th century. It was constructed as a residence for the eight members of the Vicar’s Choral who would sing the mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The eight members would be made up of lay men and clerics. The building is long and the bedrock protrudes through parts of the floor in places. It may have been constructed in two phases with the upper west portion preceding the lower east portion by a few years. The east section was a two storey dormitory. The upper level is now used as an audio-visual theatre, but eight niches and eight ogee headed windows can be seen, presumably showing the sleeping arrangements. In the west section, now a reception area and museum, there is a vaulted undercroft, presumably used for storage, while the large reception space was possible some form of domestic area, maybe a kitchen. Two rooms upstairs have been restored. The larger of the two rooms was possibly some form of chamber for the Vicar’s Choral, although it is now decorated more as a castle’s hall than the chambers of a choir. A large fireplace sits on the south wall with the original Latin inscription still in situ. It reads ‘E.S. ET E.H. ME FIERI FE[CERUNT]’ which translates as ‘E.S. and E.H. had me made’. The E.S. and the E.H. may refer to members of the Sall and Hackett families, who were prominent in Cashel at this time. The whole building had fallen into a ruined state, and a modern caretakers house had been built within the walls, but this was demolished the building restored in the late 1970s and finishing in 1982. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Interestingly, a Sheela-na-Gig is located on the E gable. It is high up and hard to spot, and was one of at least three located in Cashel.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Difficulty</b> – Easy as it’s the first building people encounter at the Rock of Cashel. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-rock-of-cashel-co-tipperary.html">Back to the Rock of Cashel main menu</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892207835_6eba2d55e5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892207835_6eba2d55e5_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890594147_e2bd5943a7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890594147_e2bd5943a7_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890594162_abb663d0ff_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890594162_abb663d0ff_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spot the Sheela-na-Gig. Hard to see, but it is on its side in the centre of the photo.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891890774_de689b2ee2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891890774_de689b2ee2_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891552321_659451b740_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891552321_659451b740_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890593812_91059c6da8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890593812_91059c6da8_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside the restored area.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891891324_765e0affac_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891891324_765e0affac_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892207355_36e04c1a5d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892207355_36e04c1a5d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890593947_8462a841a2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890593947_8462a841a2_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892207410_43da591c92_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892207410_43da591c92_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The restored ceiling.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891891729_e58b6f2058_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891891729_e58b6f2058_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892207760_9d7ef5ed57_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892207760_9d7ef5ed57_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Large recreation of the seal of the Vicar's Choral. Small metal versions of this would be used to buy items in the town, before fraud due to copies saw the Vicar's being paid a salary instead. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892207690_0c21a92fe3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892207690_0c21a92fe3_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As part of the restoration new stained glass windows were put in. Four of the windows depict the evangelists and their symbols.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890593707_a63abb6d05_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890593707_a63abb6d05_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Restored kitchen area. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890593762_72c7fac918_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890593762_72c7fac918_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891552071_7c52259042_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891552071_7c52259042_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891552526_d48decf989_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891552526_d48decf989_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A mason's mark beside the fireplace. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891641203_f9bd29ded6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891641203_f9bd29ded6_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Depictions of St. Matthew and St. John in their symbolic form, housed in the undercroft. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890592997_3100564482_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890592997_3100564482_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">St. Mark and St. Luke. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891551471_b7c561afe3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891551471_b7c561afe3_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are several other pieces of interesting stonework in the museum.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890593182_8ff3e68bd7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890593182_8ff3e68bd7_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891640883_efbf6948f7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891640883_efbf6948f7_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Late 13th or early 14th century sarcophagus with partial effigy on top. This was originally located in the the vaults underneath the now demolished Franciscan Friary and probably belonged to the Hackett Family. <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2021/10/the-hackett-effigies-cashel-co-tipperary.html" target="_blank">Several other effigies belonging to the Hackett family are located in Cashel.</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892206720_3900129774_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892206720_3900129774_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890593257_1614c87d72_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890593257_1614c87d72_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891891109_1b6fc6694e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891891109_1b6fc6694e_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recreation of the Cashel Crozier which was produced in Limogues, France, in the 13th century. The original is on display in the National Museum.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891640988_866cb74404_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891640988_866cb74404_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recreation of the Cashel Bell. </div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-62892611192966993702022-03-31T22:35:00.001+01:002022-03-31T22:50:39.701+01:00The Archbishop’s Residence, Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary.<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Location</b> – At the west end of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, attached to the nave.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">OS: S 07456 40941</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Longitude: -7.8908631</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Latitude: 52.520092</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Description and History</b> – The <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-t.html" target="_blank">tower house</a> is unusual in that it has been built onto the end of the Cathedral. It is possible, from the north side, to see where it joins on. Stalley has suggested that the west wall of the <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-n.html" target="_blank">nave</a> had collapsed prior to the construction of the tower house as the joining line is not straight. Sometimes referred to as the Archbishop’s Palace, it was constructed early in the 15th century by Archbishop Richard O’Hedian (1406-1440) and although it’s often credited as being his residence, it is unlikely that he resided here often. It seems unsuited for the needs of an archbishop, and lacks a <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-g.html" target="_blank">garderobe</a>. He likely had a more elaborate place to live elsewhere, but maybe he used this when it was convenient, or perhaps it was more of an administrative centre. Interestingly in 1421 during parliamentary sessions O’Hedian was accused John Geese, the bishop of Waterford and Lismore of hating the English, counterfeiting the King’s seal, and wishing to be the King of Munster. Geese also reveals that O’Hedian gave his concubine a ring that had been on a statue of St. Patrick. This is interesting as it would explain some of the building choices that O’Hedian took at the Rock of Cashel, adding a castle, and battlements on the Hall of the Vicar’s Choral. It would certainly fit the profile of a man who desired to be king. Could it be possible that O’Hedian was trying to make the Rock his ‘castle’? Given the building boom of tower houses across Ireland at this time, O’Hedian, in seeing himself as a king-like figure would not have wanted to be left behind in this regard.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The tower consists of five storeys, and is roughly 10m x 5m in diameter. It is constructed of limestone and would have had a <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-p.html" target="_blank">parapet</a> surround the top, although most of this is now missing. A surviving <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-b.html" target="_blank">barrel vaults</a> sits over the first floor level, and a series of <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-m.html" target="_blank">mural staircases</a> connect the floors, and mural passages provide access to the cathedral. Remains of a <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-t.html" target="_blank">traceried window</a> can be seen at second floor level, and old drawings show others that are now missing. Much of the south side of the tower house collapsed in a storm in 1848, and some the stone later found its way to St. Bernard’s Cathedral in Watertown, Wisconsin. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">While tower houses were common in Ireland in the 15th and 16th century this is an unusual example in being attached to a Cathedral. The lack of garderobes suggest this was not intended to be a dwelling place, but its exact purpose remains elusive.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Difficulty</b> – Access to the tower house is prohibited, but can be easily viewed from the outside.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-rock-of-cashel-co-tipperary.html">Back to the Rock of Cashel main menu</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891638908_9d6c0446df_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891638908_9d6c0446df_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As seen from the south. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892204800_f79daec86d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892204800_f79daec86d_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891888914_f1ecf04815_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891888914_f1ecf04815_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891638958_aec9c58d56_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891638958_aec9c58d56_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the west. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891549221_3a5c3855a7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891549221_3a5c3855a7_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the north. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890590932_4d060af561_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890590932_4d060af561_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891888584_801d2cbb31_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891888584_801d2cbb31_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The east wall of the tower house as viewed from inside St. Patrick's Cathedral. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891549306_535fbf69a7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891549306_535fbf69a7_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The entrance into the tower house from St. Patrick's Cathedral.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891638673_899a01a253_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891638673_899a01a253_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fallen masonry from the 1848 storm. </div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-75630619329553885022022-03-31T22:33:00.001+01:002022-03-31T22:50:20.509+01:00St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary.<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Location</b> – On the summit of the Rock of Cashel.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">OS: S 07479 40940</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Longitude: -7.8905292</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Latitude: 52.520083</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Description and History</b> – St. Patrick’s Cathedral, like Cormac’s Chapel, is a fantastic example of its style, but with its own unique idiosyncrasies. Built in the Gothic style, St. Patrick’s was not the first cathedral build at the Rock of Cashel. There was undoubtedly some form of church or cathedral constructed when the round tower was built in c1101. It was likely located at the east end of the site with the western door of this structure aligned with the door of the round tower, which was a common layout at the time. There may also have been a second cathedral constructed in 1169 and commissioned by Donal Mór O’Brien. No traces of this structure survive. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The present cathedral was begun around 1135, possibly at the hands of the archbishop Marianus O’Brien, although David MacKelly has also been suggested who also founded Dominic’s Friary in Cashel. The building was not, however, finished until the 1280s during the time of David McCarvill who served as archbishop between 1254 and 1289. The reason for this long construction period is unclear, but was likely due to financial issues. The Cathedral was, therefore, built in a series of phases beginning with the choir/chancel area, followed by the south transept and porch, and then the nave and north transept. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Architecturally St. Patrick’s Cathedral is built in the Gothic style which grew out of the Romanesque style in France and England in the late 12th century and was originally known as ‘French work’. Just as the Romanesque style was characterised by rounded archways, the Gothic style was characterised by its pointed archways which were better suited for supporting the weight of the walls above. Barrel vaults gave way to rib and groin vaults, and windows became larger and more elaborate in their use of tracery (the dividing up of a window opening into sections), which allowed for the introduction of stained glass. Gothic architecture sought height and light in contrast to the squatter and darker Romanesque style. At the Rock of Cashel this is plainly evident where the two styles sit side-by-side to each other in the form of Cormac’s Chapel and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">St. Patrick’s Cathedral is cruciform in shape, and is divided into the nave (where the congregation would have sat), the choir and <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-c.html" target="_blank">chancel</a> (where mass would be said), and two <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-t.html" target="_blank">transepts</a> which contain several side chapels. Where all these sections meet is called the crossing. The crossing is formed by four elaborate 13th century pillars which rise to a plain ribbed vault. This vault was severely damaged during the attack in 1647 when the original bells were removed from the 15th century bell tower above. It was largely reconstructed in 1875. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">There are two entrances into the Cathedral. The entrance on the south side has a porch with a well preserved <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-g.html" target="_blank">groin vault</a>. The corresponding porch on the north side no longer survives. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-n.html" target="_blank">nave</a> is unusually short, the choir unusually long. Normally the nave is the longest part of a church or cathedral. It’s short length here may be due to the lack of building space at the Rock of the Cashel as the land slopes away sharply to the west. The nave may have also been shortened when the residential tower was constructed in the early 15th century. In the nave today there are two tomb niches. On the internal north wall is a tomb belonging to the Sall family who were important local merchants. The tomb dates to 1574, and shows a rare example of a merchant’s seal below the Sall coat of arms. On the south side is located a 17th tomb belonging to the O’Kearney family. It is decorated with ornate stucco plasterwork, showing a crucifixion scene, a coat of arms, and a centrepiece with four angels, the sun, moon and stars. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The choir, or chancel, is where the high altar was located. There was also an area for the choir to sing. Most of this area would have been screened off from the view of those in the nave as was custom at the time. Three tall lancet style windows would have lit the chancel on the East wall, but these have not survived. However, smaller lancet windows have survived on the south and north walls. In the chancel area, a <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-p.html" target="_blank">piscina</a> can still be seen. The piscina was a stone basin for the washing of sacred vessels. Next to this is a sedilia where celebrants sat at points during mass. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">A series of grave slabs, not in their original location, are on the floor of the chancel, dating from the late 13th up until the 19th century. These are the grave slabs, clerics, merchants, and townspeople. Also located within the chancel are the wall tombs of two archbishops. The first is the elaborate tomb of the Archbishop Miler McGrath, mentioned earlier, and the second is of his successor Archbishop Malcolm Hamilton. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Each transept contains three large lancet style windows which were shortened in the 15th century. Passages run through the base of the pillars forming the windows and connect to spiral stairs which run to the top of the bell tower. There is an intricate series of passages and stairs which run throughout the Cathedral, hidden within the thickness of the walls. There are two side chapels in each transept which are now home to some well-preserved remains of 16th century tomb sculpture showing saints, angels, coats of arms, and a crucifixion panel. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Between the two side chapels in the south transept, is the remains of a large medieval wall painting depicting the crucifixion. St. Paul is depicted on Christ’s left holding a sword, while St. Peter is on Christ’s right holding the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Mary and John, smaller and almost completely lost, stand under the arms of the cross. While much of the painting is now lost to us, it was likely painted in the early 15th century, and gives us a small glimpse as to what the Cathedral was like at the time – a place full of art and colour.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Throughout the Cathedral, both inside and out, are a series of carved heads. Both male and female, they show a range of facial expressions and could have been benefactors of the church or important local people.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Incorporated into the Cathedral is a rock cut stone well which is over 8m deep. It pre-dates the Cathedral and may be the only visible trace of the pre-ecclesiastical phase of the Rock of Cashel which began in 1101. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Difficulty</b> – This is the largest building at the Rock of Cashel and is easy to navigate. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-rock-of-cashel-co-tipperary.html">Back to the Rock of Cashel main menu</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891622378_0ddb520b7c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891622378_0ddb520b7c_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890571922_d215a3787c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890571922_d215a3787c_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The porched south entrance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891869809_1a26886300_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891869809_1a26886300_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891620093_dcc89e64c3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891620093_dcc89e64c3_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The east end of the cathedral. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891620128_c3db1c8b19_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891620128_c3db1c8b19_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891531691_66c33a69b0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891531691_66c33a69b0_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892190645_9c317e4b58_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892190645_9c317e4b58_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891870139_5bf293f99c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891870139_5bf293f99c_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Loops on an external portion of the bell tower. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891870079_e141ef14ac_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891870079_e141ef14ac_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890572287_ce5580a9ef_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890572287_ce5580a9ef_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">St. Patrick's Well. This predates the Cathedral, but was incorporated into the structure in the 13th century. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890575257_da1c5810e6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890575257_da1c5810e6_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside the porch. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891533326_871a2898df_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891533326_871a2898df_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890571862_46444949eb_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890571862_46444949eb_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890577422_7c8669c23f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890577422_7c8669c23f_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892191000_a31fec75f5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892191000_a31fec75f5_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892190915_82433f1187_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892190915_82433f1187_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890577202_0d40d781fd_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890577202_0d40d781fd_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891535741_27d6960243_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891535741_27d6960243_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892190510_91dfc3cbf5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892190510_91dfc3cbf5_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890576817_8272225edf_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890576817_8272225edf_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892190790_35d6776d21_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892190790_35d6776d21_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892188145_d9c1e433b5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892188145_d9c1e433b5_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890574197_078f6a7e0f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890574197_078f6a7e0f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892188585_e482f0c20a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892188585_e482f0c20a_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891872709_38c39a6e02_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891872709_38c39a6e02_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891532881_5379ab7fdb_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891532881_5379ab7fdb_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The piscina.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891532801_c1535e34b6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891532801_c1535e34b6_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sedilia.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891621013_21266bcc9a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891621013_21266bcc9a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891534786_b01108f8d7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891534786_b01108f8d7_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are many interesting capital stones throughout the cathedral, both in limestone and sandstone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891534856_a5d7883ecc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891534856_a5d7883ecc_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891623948_fd811a0197_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891623948_fd811a0197_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891624038_d6e1ee8d2a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891624038_d6e1ee8d2a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892190060_d24673ecf2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892190060_d24673ecf2_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891874009_053985139f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891874009_053985139f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891624243_152590f0d0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891624243_152590f0d0_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890576787_09990a4132_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890576787_09990a4132_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891531096_cec713067f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891531096_cec713067f_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891620243_ed226bcb64_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891620243_ed226bcb64_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891620363_0041faeb1f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891620363_0041faeb1f_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890573022_4aa941d421_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890573022_4aa941d421_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is a fine collection of grave-markers at the east end of the Cathedral ranging in date from the late 13th to the 19th century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891871454_57cc72a397_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891871454_57cc72a397_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although it only shows a pair of feet and the bottom of a cloak, stylistically this can be dated to the late 13th or early 14th century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891871219_4faea72bf7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891871219_4faea72bf7_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tomb of the early 17th Anglican Archbishop, Malcolm Hamilton.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892187885_ed254ec371_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892187885_ed254ec371_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tomb of Archbishop Miler McGrath, archbishop from 1570 until 1622, when he died aged 100.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891532666_d7b750f4a9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891532666_d7b750f4a9_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is possible that the effigy may come from the tomb of Archbishop Butler who lived about a century before McGrath. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891621648_cece9b5692_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891621648_cece9b5692_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The coat of arms of Archbishop McGrath.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892187695_484f57acd2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892187695_484f57acd2_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892187645_892c64d786_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892187645_892c64d786_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891530436_4405580bb1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891530436_4405580bb1_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891532241_dcfb449a4e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891532241_dcfb449a4e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891621433_81046f402b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891621433_81046f402b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890574567_b4ef8e53b1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890574567_b4ef8e53b1_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wall plaque dating to 1607.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891873369_b1f6860935_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891873369_b1f6860935_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Sall tomb, dating to 1574.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891623348_982b352982_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891623348_982b352982_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891534156_26803eb42b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891534156_26803eb42b_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891531486_ac183afd27_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891531486_ac183afd27_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">17th century stucco plasterwork on the Kearney tomb showing angels, sun, moon, and stars. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891620458_0410b77fd7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891620458_0410b77fd7_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892186820_01bb5c94b9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892186820_01bb5c94b9_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891623068_2a88dcedbc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891623068_2a88dcedbc_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is a good collection of 16th century tomb carvings at the Rock of Cashel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891622538_80c4d37e92_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891622538_80c4d37e92_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891533576_4542de2e73_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891533576_4542de2e73_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892189290_de4584a70b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892189290_de4584a70b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892186055_07a806f2a5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892186055_07a806f2a5_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891869849_ae2f761e55_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891869849_ae2f761e55_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891619808_2e0a3ece7a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891619808_2e0a3ece7a_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891530676_1e30f69608_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891530676_1e30f69608_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891623663_b0fba51133_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891623663_b0fba51133_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Early 15th century wall painting depicting the crucifixion. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-26196118350813719992022-03-31T22:32:00.002+01:002022-04-04T11:57:32.574+01:00Cormac’s Chapel, Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary.<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Location</b> – On the south-east side of the site, with St. Patrick’s Cathedral butted up against it. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">OS: S 07492 40926</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Longitude: -7.8903361</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Latitude: 52.519950</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Description and History</b> – Cormac’s Chapel is a unique structure and there isn’t really anything to compare it to in Ireland. It is Ireland’s only fully intact Hiberno-Romanesque structure. It is also one of the earliest Romanesque structures in Ireland and was built between 1127 and 1134 and was commissioned by the King of Munster, Cormac McCarthy. It is unusual to have such specific dates for the construction of a medieval building, but Cormac’s Chapel is mentioned in several medieval texts which indicate how important the building was when it was constructed. It represents a departure in Irish ecclesiastical architecture away from the plainer style of previous centuries to the more highly decorated Romanesque. The sandstone façade is adorned with blind arcades, string courses, grotesques, and a distinctively Irish high-pitched stone roof. The south portal that greets visitors has three orders decorated with chevron design, and a tympanum over the entrance. The tympanum is decorated with what is believed to be the ox of St. Luke. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The north portal is now hidden from view as St. Patrick’s Cathedral was built across it. It can be accessed, however, from the inside. This would have originally been the main entrance and is much more elaborate. This door has five orders, hood moulding, and a well preserved tympanum. The tympanum shows a lion (possibly associated with St. Mark) and a centaur figure with a bow and arrow and also a helmet in the Norman style. Considering that this was carved nearly 40 years prior to the Norman invasion of Ireland it brings up some interesting possibilities, the most likely of which is that Norman stone masons worked on the chapel. Some commentators have noted the similarities between Cormac’s Chapel and the English Romanesque style. To the left of the north portal is a recessed area which was likely to be a tomb, and possibly the tomb of Cormac McCarthy himself. It was opened in the 18th century and no human remains were found, which begs the question of whether Cormac was every interred here. The chapel is rather small and measures about 15m in length and about 5m wide, although it is wider where the towers stand. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Internally the entrances lead into the nave which is barrel vaulted. The western end has been altered by the construction of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the 13th century and the original windows have been long blocked up. There is also some significant damage to the blockwork on this wall as a hole was opened up in 1875 to allow for the relocation of the sarcophagus which sits against this wall. The ribs on the vault are supported in pillars with elaborate capital stones. Some of the capitals are decorated with various patterns, while others are decorated with faces with elaborate hair styles, facial hair and some have their tongues sticking out. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Moving towards the chancel we meet the entrances to the two towers. The south tower is accessed through a plain doorway leading a spiral stairs, often held to the oldest surviving spiral steps in Ireland. This leads up to a second floor level under the roof space. The north tower has a much more elaborate entrance with chevron design and decorated capitals. A later 17th century limestone doorway has been inserted here, presumably as part of a repair. The tower is empty, although traces of paintwork can still be seen. This was clearly an important part of the chapel, as indicated by its grand entrance, and there has been speculation as to its purpose. An interesting possibility, proposed by Patrick Gleeson, is that this tower housed the inauguration stone of the Kings of Munster. This is entirely possible. The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the Kings of Munster and Cormac McCarthy was descended from the tradition ruling family – the Eoganacht. Cormac McCarthy was making a statement of power by building his royal chapel after his family’s 150 year absence from the Rock, and what better statement than to house the place where his ancestors were inaugurated in a grand Romanesque chapel. This is a fascinating possibility. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The nave and chancel are divided by an elaborate chancel arch, finely decorated, and feature an array of human faces. It has been suggested that these represent the peoples of the world, but I would suggest that they could represent the past Kings of Munster – it would certainly fit in with the theme of kingship that is present throughout the chapel. An intriguing aspect of the chancel arch is that it is notably off centre. Several theories have been suggested for this from it being a deliberate mistake to show that only God is perfect, to it being a mistake where builders constructed the wall on the wrong side of a guideline. The former idea has no other precedence in Irish architecture and medieval builders certainly had no qualms with trying to obtain perfection, and the latter idea seems odd in that it is hard to imagine the builders of the chapel making such a huge mistake and not noticing until it was too late to change it. The most likely scenario is that it serves some form of functional purpose, probably to draw attention to, or direct people to the all-important north tower. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The small chancel is rib-vaulted and contains remains of fresco paintings, the only of their kind in Ireland. The four quadrants of the ceiling contain scenes from the infancy narrative of Christ, with the Magi before Herod being the best preserved. The adoration of the shepherds is identifiable due to an inscription which reads ‘PASTORES’ – the Latin word for shepherd. The north quadrant is the hardest to identify, but it is likely another scene from the infancy narrative. The east quadrant likely depicted the adoration of the Christ child and the fragments that remains are consistent with this. A depiction of the baptism of Christ can be seen on the south wall of the chancel, and several other figures can be made out on the walls. Geometric patterns can be seen in places also. The fragments that remain are not original to the chapel. The original paintings can still be made out on the lower portions of the walls and consist of patterns and fabric designs. The painted scenes higher up date to the late 1160s or early 1170s and can be associated with King Henry II who entered Ireland in 1171 and convened a Synod at Cashel. These were likely painted to commemorate that occasion. Again this fits in with the theme of kingship. If Henry was attempting to legitimise his rule in Ireland then he would have undoubtedly visited the inauguration place of the Kings of Munster and left his mark in the form of paintings which convey a message of divinely ordained kingship. The fact that a similar arrangement of frescoes appear in Henry’s personal chapel in St. Julien’s Petit-Quevilly, near Rouen in France only serves to confirm this. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Returning to the west wall of the nave an elaborate sarcophagus carved in Urnes style can be seen. This is not original to the chapel, but dates to a similar period, and it has been suggested that this was the resting place of Tadgh McCarthy, Cormac’s older brother and predecessor. The lid is now missing, but the soakage holes can still be seen inside. The front is ornately carved with two intertwining animals (possibly dogs) forming an infinity symbol, surrounded by intertwining serpents. The fact that the sides are undecorated indicate that this was intended to be placed into a niche of some form. What sets apart sarcophagi from other forms of tombs is that these were carved from a single block of stone. There are only 17 known examples in Ireland and this is the oldest, and the only Irish made one. The other 16 examples are all 13th/14th century in date and associated with Anglo-Norman families. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The building has been subject to several periods of conservation work. In 1875 after the building was taken into state care the first works began. A significant amount of repairs were done to the east gable end and new stone can be seen here in keeping with the original design. A significant amount of concrete was used at this time which has the effect of diverting water inside the building as the concrete started to wear away. In 2009 a long period of conservation began, and the concrete removed. The building was covered in a scaffold for several years to allow the building to dry out. Ultraviolet lights were installed to kill off the mould growth, and a ventilation system connected to moisture sensors also installed. As part of the conservation work the roof was entirely removed and fresh mortar (a recreation of 12th century mortar) was used when the roof was reassembled. Broken roof slabs were pinned back together, and a certain amount of replacement stone used also. It was reopened to the public, by guided tour only to reduce moisture in the building, in 2017. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Overall, the chapel is one of the most significant and unique buildings in the history of Irish architecture. It is also a building that raises so many questions. Several areas do not match, carves patterns abruptly end and change, some areas look unfinished, and arches are different sizes throughout. There is no hypothesis that adequately explains this, and we are left with unanswered questions. It remains one of the most compelling buildings in Ireland. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Difficulty</b> – Easy to find. Access is by guided tour only. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-rock-of-cashel-co-tipperary.html">Back to the Rock of Cashel main menu</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888088863_40187efcb7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888088863_40187efcb7_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888004801_6572181b76_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888004801_6572181b76_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887032467_d1bffa6b20_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887032467_d1bffa6b20_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888663855_d18ffbaa9b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888663855_d18ffbaa9b_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking at the east end of the Chapel. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888007181_795c1ea72c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888007181_795c1ea72c_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the conservation work from 1875 can be seen here that restored part of the east wall. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887042592_cef9937bf9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887042592_cef9937bf9_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The top of the north tower. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888091218_7f5fe058d2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888091218_7f5fe058d2_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888090518_b2ae292752_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888090518_b2ae292752_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The top of the south tower. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888661235_d63216dc82_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888661235_d63216dc82_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The south entrance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888091048_81e469f132_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888091048_81e469f132_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The south doorway is made up of three orders. Chevron designs surround a tympanum which likely depicts the ox of St. Luke. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888004641_e1a7cc8565_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888004641_e1a7cc8565_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888653370_d979e48d58_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888653370_d979e48d58_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The base of the outer order of the south doorway which would have originally supported a, now missing, pillar.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081993_3d82108f27_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081993_3d82108f27_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888654315_5106369dcc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888654315_5106369dcc_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Blind arcades.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887033567_e35cd978c9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887033567_e35cd978c9_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888654455_9bcf751153_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888654455_9bcf751153_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the many grotesques that span the façade.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081153_854c96365d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081153_854c96365d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The north doorway. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081073_fdd9231584_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081073_fdd9231584_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888330384_8b854d1864_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888330384_8b854d1864_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The fantastically preserved north tympanum.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887041697_79e55b0f9e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887041697_79e55b0f9e_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Close up of the centaur figure with the Norman style helmet. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888662730_282c5e0abc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888662730_282c5e0abc_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081468_50934fff87_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081468_50934fff87_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081348_00e1c8e998_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081348_00e1c8e998_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888330509_6739ab5701_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888330509_6739ab5701_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887997066_7123122a8b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887997066_7123122a8b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888080868_dbfec9b7d7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888080868_dbfec9b7d7_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888338314_95b7bd7ed9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888338314_95b7bd7ed9_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888004746_b6e5f49476_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888004746_b6e5f49476_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888089363_1813c7f74e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888089363_1813c7f74e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888005491_f009f7af1d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888005491_f009f7af1d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081808_0abe6a2fcf_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081808_0abe6a2fcf_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895967093_d006230202_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895967093_d006230202_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The entrance into the south tower.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51896216164_f06636ee08_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51896216164_f06636ee08_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895876316_a4c8bcc600_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895876316_a4c8bcc600_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895965393_b3929aa413_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895965393_b3929aa413_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The elaborate doorway into the north tower. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895965298_33f7665de1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895965298_33f7665de1_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895875981_1e7fc8d07b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895875981_1e7fc8d07b_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51896522660_c0b4448b05_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51896522660_c0b4448b05_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887040407_dac5ba11e6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887040407_dac5ba11e6_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888339104_073c59fb69_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888339104_073c59fb69_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888005881_8d33a85ac4_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888005881_8d33a85ac4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888089913_1c41ed917f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888089913_1c41ed917f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081543_d3507ce32f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888081543_d3507ce32f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51896522330_b338290313_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51896522330_b338290313_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895875336_35c0287ee6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895875336_35c0287ee6_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Heads on the chancel arch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895875391_2af4850944_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51895875391_2af4850944_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888664330_5901c53366_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888664330_5901c53366_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The ceiling of the chancel. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888007401_926538979e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888007401_926538979e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The best preserved section is the western quadrant which depicts the meeting of the Magi with King Herod. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888007571_d528bef27e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888007571_d528bef27e_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The east wall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888340139_1b62220aa1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888340139_1b62220aa1_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Baptism of Christ. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888090678_c28d0caaf8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888090678_c28d0caaf8_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887041977_64a8f2e7e9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887041977_64a8f2e7e9_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of many haloed figures in the chapel. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888006521_2393ebafa7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888006521_2393ebafa7_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the many grotesques and human heads carved around the chapel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888006596_4aece4e9c3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888006596_4aece4e9c3_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888007326_036b8f1edc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888007326_036b8f1edc_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888339834_a9a6691f41_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888339834_a9a6691f41_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888329994_110da8e945_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888329994_110da8e945_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888654135_f48c646505_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888654135_f48c646505_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888654075_afbfa2fccf_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888654075_afbfa2fccf_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51896522595_235678637b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51896522595_235678637b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sarcophagus predates the chapel is thought to date from the early 1120s and is likely the tomb of Tadgh McCarthy, the brother of Cormac and his predecessor as king. It is carved in Urnes style. Its original location is unknown, but was relocated to the chapel in 1875. A part of wall had to be removed to allows to be brought inside. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51896522470_600ae729e4_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51896522470_600ae729e4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888089223_eaf07701c1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888089223_eaf07701c1_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888331714_9730bbec2b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888331714_9730bbec2b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887039777_66379e8a2f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887039777_66379e8a2f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888004491_433471bd1b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888004491_433471bd1b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888338229_324c565924_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888338229_324c565924_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Soakage holes, which allow for the escape of fluids and gasses during decomposition. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-11401441716672663502022-03-31T22:31:00.001+01:002022-03-31T22:49:33.898+01:00St. Patrick’s Cross, Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary.<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Location</b> – St. Patrick’s Cross is located in the Hall of the Vicar’s Choral. A replica sits outside between the Hall of the Vicar’s Choral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">OS: S 07477 40901</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Longitude: -7.8905667</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Latitude: 52.519732</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Description and History</b> – The 12th century St. Patrick’s Cross is on display in the under-croft of the Hall of the Vicar’s Choral. A replica sits where it was once was between the Hall of the Vicar’s Choral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In the chronology of Irish high crosses, it comes late and is part of a group known as crucifix crosses – crosses dominated by large Christ figures, and often a cleric as well. The inclusion of clerics on these crosses likely reflects the church reforms of the 12th century, which saw the organisational structure of the church become more clearly defined. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">St. Patrick’s Cross is unusual in that it is not a typical Celtic cross with its distinctive ring around the intersections of the shaft and transom – rather it is a Latin style cross. What has often been interpreted as a vertical stone support connects the arm to the base of the cross. There is a compelling argument that this is not a support at all but, when complete, these ‘supports’ actually formed a frame around the Christ figure that was inspired by examples found in illuminated manuscripts and metalwork. Therefore, the ‘supports’ are artistic in nature and serve no structural purpose. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jesus is carved in high relief in a full ankle length robe, marking a departure from the more typical loincloth. St. Patrick is carved on the east face of the cross, his head missing and standing on an ox-head. The base, although weathered, is highly decorated with interlacing animals, and possibly a labyrinth with a minotaur at its centre on the north side. Interestingly, there is a small rectangular hole in one of the upper limbs of the cross which could have allowed for attachments to the cross in the form of angelic figures or evangelist symbols.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The cross is now extremely weathered and the Christ figure, while visible, lacks detail. There is a rectangular shape on Christ’s chest, which could possibly be a representation of a book or book shrine, held around the neck by a strap, in a fashion similar to pilgrims. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">When considering St. Patrick’s Cross it is important to consider its influences. The depiction of Christ is less biblically inspired, but indebted to European artistic trends of the early 12th century. A sculpture from Lucca in Italy appears to be its main influence – this sculpture was supposedly carved by Nicodemus. The cross became famous across Europe at the time and copies found their way across the entire continent. Noted earlier, the possible labyrinth and minotaur becomes more likely when it is considered that the only other known labyrinth and minotaur in medieval Christian art was also found in Lucca.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The full-length depiction of Christ is at odds with earlier Irish high crosses, where he is often relatively small in size. Gone are the biblical scenes of earlier high crosses – the emphasis now on the crucifixion and church authority. Jesus is not portrayed as the suffering Christ, but rather as the triumphant Christ, victorious in death. The portrayal of Jesus on St. Patrick’s Cross is reminiscent of Dysert O’Dea, the Tuam Cross, and the Market Cross at Glendalough. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">St. Patrick’s Cross may have also influenced later Irish depictions of the crucifixion. A 14th century shrine known as Fiacal Phádraig (St. Patrick’s Tooth) from Killaspugbrone, Co. Sligo, shows some similarities to Cashel. It was commissioned by William DeBermingham, Lord of Athenry, around 1376, to house St. Patrick’s tooth which was alleged to have fallen out at Killaspugbrone. The cross depicted on this shrine is similar to St. Patrick’s Cross in that is has the distinctive lateral supports (or borders). While the figure of Christ is significantly different, the inclusion of a similar looking cross, and the connection to St. Patrick makes a connection between the two possible.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For more on the cross, and other depictions of the crucifixion at the Rock of Cashel <a href="https://issuu.com/obair/docs/heritage_ireland_issue_14_summer_2021/s/13130631" target="_blank">click here for my article in Heritage Ireland Magazine</a>. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Difficulty</b> – The replica is highly visible on site. The original remains inaccessible at present.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-rock-of-cashel-co-tipperary.html">Back to the Rock of Cashel menu</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887857516_a977f05ebf_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887857516_a977f05ebf_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The original cross, located in the undercroft of the Hall of the Vicar's Choral.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887857481_c27ba819de_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887857481_c27ba819de_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The replica. This side shows the crucifixion.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51886891777_9a1444cd58_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51886891777_9a1444cd58_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This side shows a cleric, possibly St. Patrick. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888188734_549ec873d8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888188734_549ec873d8_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888512920_5507c7671c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888512920_5507c7671c_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888188934_5361553c53_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888188934_5361553c53_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888188784_72b29c1d0e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51888188784_72b29c1d0e_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887939558_a2675c8fbf_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51887939558_a2675c8fbf_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-1431781233381706782022-03-31T22:29:00.001+01:002022-03-31T22:48:42.965+01:00The Round Tower, Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary.<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Location</b> – On the north-east of the site, against the north-east corner of the transept in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">OS: S 07490 40961</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Longitude: -7.8903709</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Latitude: 52.520265</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Description and History</b> – The round tower is the oldest surviving building at the Rock of Cashel and was build c.1101 after the site was handed over to the church by Muircheartach Ua Briain as “…a gift to religion.” It is one of only a handful still standing to full height in Ireland, and is 28m high. The doorway is 3.28m off ground level and faces south-east, and probably faced the west entrance of a now lost church or cathedral that stood in the vicinity of the eastern end of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The doorway is 1.65m high and only 74cm wide. The tower in constructed of a mixture of sandstone and limestone, and was restored in 1875 by the Board of Public Works (later the OPW), with the conical cap being reset, and the tower being repointed at this time. When St. Patrick’s Cathedral was constructed in the 13th century a second entrance was added which connects to a <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-m.html" target="_blank">mural passage</a> in the cathedral, and this can only be seen from within the later mural passage. Three windows give light to the interior, and originally there would have been a series of floors, connected by ladders, which would have zig-zagged their way up to the top where there are four windows facing to the cardinal points. In 1841 the interior of the tower was excavated, and about 2ft of loose and earth and human bone were found. Early in 1965 the tower was struck by lightning, making a large hole on its west side which was subsequently repaired. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Difficulty</b> – Easy to find, as it is the tallest building on site. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-rock-of-cashel-co-tipperary.html">Back to the Rock of Cashel main menu</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880532889_edf26c83a0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880532889_edf26c83a0_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking from the north.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880532734_c1c0b634cb_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880532734_c1c0b634cb_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880218536_7420be90e3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880218536_7420be90e3_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880532974_7e2c1cd5af_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880532974_7e2c1cd5af_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880866550_7bbefd4641_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880866550_7bbefd4641_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880218371_a6fdc55172_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880218371_a6fdc55172_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880867160_db962ea0e8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880867160_db962ea0e8_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880866975_bf636e37f0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880866975_bf636e37f0_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880217926_cea2d2b641_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880217926_cea2d2b641_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880293898_4336db5b9e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51880293898_4336db5b9e_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-84192799898940951452022-03-31T22:26:00.002+01:002022-03-31T22:43:08.479+01:00The Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary. <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Location</b> – In Cashel town, on Moor Lane, just off the main Dublin Road. Easily accessible from the M8. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">OS: S 07480 40940</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Longitude: -7.8905158</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Latitude: 52.520076</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Description and History</b> – Volumes could be written about the Rock of Cashel. It has a history stretching back over 1500 years, and its importance to the history of Ireland throughout that period is significant. Therefore, to do it justice in a blog post is a difficult task. The history of the site will be dealt with here, and the architecture of each individual site will be dealt with separately, by clicking below. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The early history of Cashel is intertwined with myth to such an extent that to separate them is nearly impossible. Traditionally the site became occupied in the late 4th or early 5th century when Conall Corc founded the Munster kingship at Cashel. He was a descendant of Eogan Mor, the son of Ailill Olum. The descendants of Eogan Mor were known as the Eoganacht and they were the traditional kings of Cashel and Munster until the 10th century. They were also among the first lines of kings to become Christianised when Christianity took root in Munster in the 5th century. Here again we stray in the realm of folklore and myth. Several sources recount a story of St. Patrick visiting the Rock of Cashel to baptise King Oengus. During the ceremony St. Patrick drove the spike of his crozier into the ground and accidentally drove it through the king’s foot. St. Patrick didn’t notice, and the king suffered in silence believing it be part of the ceremony. The story differs depending on the source, and all are written several centuries after the life of Patrick and Oengus. However, as with most folklore there is a kernel of truth and the Eoganacht did become Christianised early on and many of the kings of Munster were also clerics. The Eoganacht grew in power throughout the 5th to 10th centuries and were second only to the Ui Neill kingship of Tara. The power of the Eoganacht began to wane in the early 10th century following King Cormac mac Cuilennain’s defeat at the hands of the King of Tara during the Battle of Ballaghmoon in Kildare in 908AD. This, coupled with increasing Viking influence in the Munster, chipped away at the power of the Eoganacht until they were ousted by the Dal Cais, who originated in Clare around Killaloe. One of the early Dal Cais Kings of Munster was Brian Boru who was crowned king at the Rock in 978. He is, of course, well known for becoming the High King of Ireland who would go on to defeat the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 – a battle in which he would himself die. However, it is his great-grandson who is much more important to the history of the Rock of Cashel. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Muircheartach Ua Briain did not inherit the power of his great-grandfather but, nevertheless, rose to power and became the King of Munster and he possibly had some form of residence at the Rock of Cashel in 1091, although there is no archaeological evidence to support this. In 1101 a Synod was convened at Cashel and Muircheartach handed the site over the church as “a gift to religion that no king had ever given before him.” It is at this point that the Rock of Cashel as we know it begins to take shape. There may have been religious buildings at the Rock of Cashel prior to this point, and part of a base of a high cross dating to the 9th century has been found there. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Muircheartach’s ‘gift’, however, was less about religious piety and more about political maneuvering. The 12th century was a time of great political, societal, and religious change. The church was changing, reforming, and becoming more powerful. Such a gift to the church ensured Muircheartach’s future involvement in such reforms, and helped to secure his political power. This is evident in the fact that in the same year as this ‘gift’ Muircheartach attempted, unsuccessfully, to subdue Ulster and his armies burned and looted churches along the way, putting monks to death. The round tower is generally to held to have been built around 1101 or shortly after (fuller descriptions of each building can be found by clicking the links at the bottom of this article). </p><p style="text-align: justify;">After Muircheartach’s death in 1119 Munster experienced another political shift. O’Brien power began to wain and the Eoganacht made a surprising return to power at Cashel under the leadership of the McCarthy family. The McCarthys were able to reclaim their ancestral home at Cashel and in 1127 Cormac McCarthy commissioned Cormac’s Chapel which was consecrated in 1134. The McCarthys return to power was relatively short lived, however, and the O’Briens soon found themselves back in power. The arrival of the Normans would signal a significant shift in Irish politics, and Cashel was not immune to this. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">While the Norman’s arrived in Ireland in 1169, Henry II did not set foot on Ireland until October 1171. Shortly after his arrival in Waterford Henry met Domhnall Mor O’Brien, King of Thomond, in the vicinity of Golden, near Cashel. Here Domhnall recognised the authority Henry in Ireland. Henry then travelled to Cashel where he called a synod on the 6th November. In attendance at this synod were the archbishops of Cashel, Dublin, and Tuam, along with many other bishops. With the backing of the Pope, Alexander III, matters concerning marriage, church law, the independence of the church, church rites, and the payment of tithes were all discussed and reformed. All of this was set against the backdrop of the shifting political situation in Ireland at the time and inevitably tied to it. The synod was as much political in nature as it was religious. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the 13th century construction began on St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which probably replaced an early 12th century Cathedral. It is not entirely clear who is responsible for the initial construction of the Cathedral, but most agree that it was likely Marianus O’Brien, who served as Archbishop of Cashel from 1223-1237. It likely replaced an earlier Cathedral constructed around 1169 by Domhnall Mor O’Brien, the King of Thomond. Construction probably began in the early 1230s. The building was not, however, finished until the 1280s during the time of David McCarvill who served as archbishop between 1254 and 1289. The reason for this long construction period is unclear, but was likely due to financial issues. Although Cashel was under Norman control during this period, Archbishops still came from Irish families. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The archbishopric of Richard O’Hedian (1406-1440) saw the last major building work carried out on the Rock. He greatly altered St. Patrick’s Cathedral by adding the dominating bell tower, and by attaching a residential tower to the western end of the Cathedral. Also, he is responsible for the construction of the Hall of the Vicar’s Choral which housed the 8-man choir that would have sung in the Cathedral.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In 1490 the Cathedral was reportedly attacked by Gearoid Mor Fitzgerald, the Earl of Kildare, who was having a feud at the time with the Archbishop. The Cathedral was burned and Gearoid Mor was summoned by Henry VII to explain his actions. Fitzgerald said to the king that he would not have burned the building had he known the archbishop was not within. His honesty impressed Henry and he appointed Fitzgerald as Lord Deputy of Ireland saying, “All Ireland cannot govern this Earl, then let this Earl govern all Ireland.” If the Cathedral was indeed burned, no traces can be seen today. Some have speculated that the entire account is a fabrication of 16th century historian Sandyhurst. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In 1529 King Henry VIII split with the Church of Rome and the Reformation was in full swing in Europe. This was to have huge ramifications in Ireland, but Cashel continued to have Catholic archbishops until 1561. Then the Cathedral became Anglican with an Anglican archbishop, although Rome continued to appoint their own rival archbishops. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">A notable Anglican archbishop from this period is Miler McGrath who was archbishop of Cashel from 1571 until his death at age 100 in 1622. He encapsulated this period of religious uncertainty. He had been a Franciscan Friar before becoming the Catholic Bishop of Down in 1565. He accepted royal supremacy in 1567 and became a protestant. From his poor beginnings as a friar he ended up having nearly 7 church incomes. He married twice in his life and had many illegitimate children, earning the epithet the ‘scoundrel of Cashel.’ It is said that on his deathbed, he reconciled to Rome. His tomb can be seen today in the choir of the Cathedral.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Cathedral was attacked again in 1647 during the Irish Confederate Wars, and this was to prove a bloody affair. The rebellion had begun in 1641 and Cashel fell into Catholic hands and several English settlers in the town were killed, others were gathered together, stripped naked and forced to walk through the streets. In September 1647 English Parliamentarian forces reached Cashel after taking Cahir. An army of about 3000 soldiers under the leadership of Baron Inchiquin approached the town. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Inchiquin had a fearsome reputation and was known as Inchiquin of the Burnings as he would burn the lands and the properties of people who did not submit to his army, convert and become Anglicans. As his forces approached Cashel people fled to the Rock for refuge. It is estimated that around 1000 people took refuge in the Cathedral – a mixture of confederate troops, townspeople, and clergy. This, however, did not stop Inchiquin. On the 13th September he attacked the Rock and his troops quickly breached the outside walls and laid siege to the Cathedral with the 1000 people trapped inside. Inchiquin’s troops gained access through the southern transept’s windows and proceeded to massacre the 1000 people trapped inside not discriminating between soldiers, civilians, and clergy.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Only a handful of people escaped this massacre and it is from them that we get eyewitness accounts of what happened that day. The Parliamentarian troops then plundered the Cathedral. The troops destroyed as much as they could, including scraping the paintings from the walls with their swords. It is rumoured the Inchiquin took the Archbishop’s mitre and put it on, parading up and down and Cathedral mockingly declaring himself to be new Archbishop of Cashel. Fr. Andrew Sall wrote: “The large crucifix that towered above the entrance to the choir had its head, hands and feet cut off, the organ was broken, and the bells, whose chimes cheered our soldiers as they fought, were deprived of their clappers and their beautiful tone…All the passages, even the altars, chapels, sacristies, bell-tower steps, and seats were so thickly covered with corpses, that one could not walk a step without treading on a dead body.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Baron Inchiquin’s name was Murrough O’Brien and he was a direct descendant of Brian Boru who had been crowned as the King of Munster at the Rock of Cashel in 978AD. Within a year Inchiquin had quit the Parliamentarian cause in favour of the Royalists. When the Royalists were eventually defeated he fled to France and converted to Catholicism, the faith of his ancestors. Following the restoration of the monarchy under King Charles II, Inchiquin returned to Ireland and was made an Earl. He lived out the rest of his days peacefully in Ireland and died in 1674 and was interred in the O’Brien tomb in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Limerick – but he will forever be associated with the massacre at the Rock of Cashel. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Repair works on the buildings were carried out later in the 17th century, and again in 1730, but the site was ultimately abandoned in the late 1740s by Archbishop Arthur Price. The buildings slowly fell into ruin, and Archdeacon Cotton wrote of the accumulated debris in the Cathedral, and the partial collapse of the residential tower and east gable of the choir in 1848. In 1869, the Cathedral, along with the other four buildings at the Rock of Cashel, was taken into state care and became Ireland’s first national monument, with initial work being carried out in 1875. It is now under the care of the Office of Public Works. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The graveyard that surround the main buildings is still in use, although a register was created in the 1930s of living Cashel residents who could still be buried at the Rock, and the list of people who hold the right to be buried there is inevitably dwindling. Within the graveyard is the impressive Scully monument, constructed in the late 19th century. It was originally a full high cross design but was shattered by lightening in 1976.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most recognisable collection of medieval buildings, and is a must for anyone to visit if they have an interest in Irish history. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Click below to read more about the architecture of each building and see more pictures:</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-round-tower-rock-of-cashel-co.html">The Round Tower</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/st-patricks-cross-rock-of-cashel-co.html">St. Patrick’s Cross</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/cormacs-chapel-rock-of-cashel-co.html">Cormac’s Chapel</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/st-patricks-cathedral-rock-of-cashel-co.html">St. Patrick’s Cathedral</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-archbishops-residence-rock-of.html">The Archbishop's Residence</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/03/the-hall-of-vicars-choral-rock-of.html">The Hall of the Vicar’s Choral</a>.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Difficulty</b> – There is ample car parking at the bottom of the hill, for a fee, and the walk up can be difficult. Once on site it is fairly easy to move around. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">For more sites in Co. Tipperary, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/11/tipperary.html">click here</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For more ecclesiastical sites, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/12/ecclesiastical-sites.html">click here</a>. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51871194325_71f1bafd55_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51871194325_71f1bafd55_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The general view of the site as you approach from the Dublin road.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51869581407_14ffd098e8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51869581407_14ffd098e8_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Viewed from low down on the north-east.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870624873_43a793b0bf_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870624873_43a793b0bf_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the west.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870624923_018e5669d1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870624923_018e5669d1_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870545016_044d91066e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870545016_044d91066e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Viewed from the south.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51871194180_8ebe8c78d0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51871194180_8ebe8c78d0_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the view people will see as the approach the entrance to the Rock. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51871194105_c851a62366_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51871194105_c851a62366_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Cathedral and tower house as you enter the site through the main gate. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870860929_629f877e52_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870860929_629f877e52_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Cathedral and round tower viewed from within the graveyard. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870624733_1159c4e44d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870624733_1159c4e44d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870545181_35d1c64d44_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870545181_35d1c64d44_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51871193935_d3f918a6f8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51871193935_d3f918a6f8_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the left is the Scully memorial, constructed in the 1860s and shattered by lightening in 1976. Large portions of the cross are still on the ground where they fell. </div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-85189355331856777232022-01-28T22:16:00.003+00:002022-01-28T22:16:45.697+00:00St. Cronan’s Church, Tuamgraney, Co. Clare.<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Location</b> – The church is located on the R463 in Tuamgraney and is right next to <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/01/tuamgraney-tower-house-co-clare.html" target="_blank">Tuamgraney castle</a>. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">OS: R 63746 82974</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Longitude: -8.5395004</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Latitude: 52.896666</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Description and History</b> – St. Cronan’s makes quite a boast! It is Ireland’s oldest church still in use, with over 1000 years of continuous worship taking place here. A church was originally founded here by St. Cronan in c550AD. This is not the same Cronan that founded <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2010/01/roscrea-romanesque-church-co-tipperary.html" target="_blank">Roscrea</a>. The site was looted by Vikings in 886AD and again in 949AD. The original structure destroyed in this second attack and it was then that the present structure was constructed. It was built by the Abbot of Tuamgraney, Cormac Ua Cillín, between c949-964AD and later repaired by Brian Boru in c1012. Brian Boru’s brother, Marcán was the Abbot of Tuamgraney at the time and it is located not far away from their ancestral home. Apart from being the oldest continually used church in Ireland it is also the only building with a firm link to Brian Boru. A <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-r.html" target="_blank">round tower</a> was also built at this time, but no traces of this now survive. A heritage centre was established here in 1989, but in 2014 the Church of Ireland dean refused to renew the license and the building returned to being purely a place of worship. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The building is a simple <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-n.html" target="_blank">nave</a> and <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-c.html" target="_blank">chancel</a> church, constructed of sandstone. The original 10th century doorway is still in situ with two inclined jambs raised architrave, and huge lintel, making it quite distinctive. The church was expanded beyond the present nave in the 12th century as can be seen in the <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-r.html" target="_blank">Romanesque style</a> windows with <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-c.html" target="_blank">chevron</a> design, and carved head. In 1990 three stained glass windows were installed, titled ‘The Ascension’. These windows were designed by Alfred E. Child and were commissioned in 1906 and moved from their original location in Kilfinaghty, Clare. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Underneath the church there are vaults which contain burials, but these were filled with rubble during works on the 1960s, which is a shame.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is a really fascinating church, and so fantastic to see it still being used. It is well worth visiting and taking the time to explore. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Difficulty</b> – Very easy to find and get around. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Date of visit: 19th July, 2020.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">For more ecclesiastical sites, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/12/ecclesiastical-sites.html">click here</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For more sites in Co. Clare, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/11/clare.html">click here</a>. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712587_d1a01c8e8e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712587_d1a01c8e8e_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There isn't much room around the church, so it is hard to get a good full image of the site.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712607_9b50fd02d1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712607_9b50fd02d1_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The impressive doorway. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51847747133_20c8a11ae0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51847747133_20c8a11ae0_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This curious stone is located just outside the doorway and is similar to washing stones found in other locations. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712622_ca00ab2678_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712622_ca00ab2678_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside the 10th century nave portion of the church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51848334960_2e79034ccd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51848334960_2e79034ccd_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A collection of architectural fragments sits inside the nave. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712672_96b472e3e0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712672_96b472e3e0_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51847747248_1fd3df1318_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51847747248_1fd3df1318_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712442_3db97e47ee_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712442_3db97e47ee_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51847686431_68a49e732b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51847686431_68a49e732b_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51847747228_f5ef387192_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51847747228_f5ef387192_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51848004244_a668ef1994_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51848004244_a668ef1994_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside the later 12th century portion of the church. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712562_111c21cc56_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712562_111c21cc56_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712547_4ceb6cf82a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712547_4ceb6cf82a_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The modern stained glass window. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51848004564_3b00f05be1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51848004564_3b00f05be1_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The roof is modern. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51848334595_4c93a55186_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51848334595_4c93a55186_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712527_d7cf154225_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712527_d7cf154225_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712387_c8a9c1d8c3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712387_c8a9c1d8c3_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51847746903_fa8b362196_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51847746903_fa8b362196_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51848334620_096eb57c3e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51848334620_096eb57c3e_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51848004534_e91a35d2c4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51848004534_e91a35d2c4_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712747_4495439ae6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51846712747_4495439ae6_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-63113708341196875022022-01-17T23:32:00.004+00:002022-01-17T23:46:03.244+00:00St. Fintan's Well and Bullaun Stone, Cromogue, Co. Laois. <p><b>Location</b> – About 180m south of <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/01/st-fintans-church-cromogue-co-laois.html" target="_blank">St. Fintan’s Church</a>, near Parkavilla off the R430.</p><p>OS: S 39374 89765</p><p>Longitude: -7.4147750</p><p>Latitude: 52.957477</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Description and History </b>– This well is dedicated to St. Fintan who resided at the nearby <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/01/st-fintans-church-cromogue-co-laois.html" target="_blank">St. Fintan’s Church</a> before relocating to <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2009/08/clonenagh-church-and-cross-slabs-co.html" target="_blank">Clonenagh</a>. His feast day is on 17th February and the well is often visited on this day. Pebbles from here are thought to act against accidental death and shipwrecks. A <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-b.html" target="_blank">bullaun stone</a> sits nearby, and this is often an indicator of the antiquity of a site. However, the well itself has a modern surround, as is often the case. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Difficulty</b> – The roads are narrow around here so do take it easy, but it is relatively easy to find and get around.</p><p>Date of visit: 14th October, 2010.</p><p><br /></p><p>For more ecclesiastical sites, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/12/ecclesiastical-sites.html">click here</a>.</p><p>For more sites in Co. Laois, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/11/laois.html">click here</a>. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827254613_77b22c3e9b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827254613_77b22c3e9b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The view of the well as you enter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827254158_3336944921_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827254158_3336944921_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The modern shrine that collects the water from the natural spring.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827488219_75c00dcfca_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827488219_75c00dcfca_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827253753_9e9820c1e2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827253753_9e9820c1e2_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The modern statue of St. Fintan. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827870360_9c7f591d2b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827870360_9c7f591d2b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51826197617_86059e6434_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51826197617_86059e6434_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827145486_f670f8e6b9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827145486_f670f8e6b9_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827488144_eca4a8444d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827488144_eca4a8444d_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827487604_3df10e6f8d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827487604_3df10e6f8d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51826197407_917b8e2f99_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51826197407_917b8e2f99_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827870890_a9a5655912_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827870890_a9a5655912_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The natural spring.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827870990_bd59620681_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827870990_bd59620681_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bullaun stone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51826198207_24389ce1fd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51826198207_24389ce1fd_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827488724_359ce421ab_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827488724_359ce421ab_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-54589663147070201632022-01-17T23:02:00.002+00:002022-01-17T23:45:21.702+00:00St. Fintan's Church, Cromogue, Co. Laois. <p><b>Location</b> – Located just south-east of the small village of Parkavilla, not far from the R430.</p><p>OS: S 39406 89956</p><p>Longitude: -7.4142715</p><p>Latitude: 52.959195</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Description and History</b> – There is not much left of this church, and it is certainly in need of some care and attention. It is connected, along with <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2009/08/clonenagh-church-and-cross-slabs-co.html" target="_blank">Clonenagh</a>, to St. Fintan who founded and lived at the site prior to relocating to Clonenagh. The present structure is a medieval, undivided church constructed of limestone, set within a raised and enclosed graveyard. A twelfth century doorway can still be found on the west wall, made of limestone, but the west end was remodelled with the construction of a later two storey residential tower. The structure is severely overgrown, and in danger of collapse in places, particularly the residential tower. The graveyard contains mostly post-medieval gravestones. <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/01/st-fintans-well-cromogue-co-laois.html" target="_blank">Nearby is a holy well dedicated to St. Fintan approximately 180m to the south.</a></p><p>Considering the association with St. Fintan and Clonenagh, it would be great to see something done in terms of conservation here. </p><p>Date of visit: 14th October, 2010.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Difficulty</b> – Quite out of the way, and there are some steps leading into the graveyard. </p><p><br /></p><p>For more ecclesiastical sites, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/12/ecclesiastical-sites.html">click here</a>.</p><p>For more sites in Co. Laois, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/11/laois.html">click here</a>. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827777565_da90e296e3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827777565_da90e296e3_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The view as you enter the graveyard. You can really see how the buildings have shifted over time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827395419_3769af002e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827395419_3769af002e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827052481_30b90dfd3d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827052481_30b90dfd3d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827395674_b7728fac17_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827395674_b7728fac17_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827395694_e2391f9fc3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827395694_e2391f9fc3_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827395659_39156f4d71_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827395659_39156f4d71_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The 12th century doorway. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827395389_f4f4687e65_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827395389_f4f4687e65_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827161563_5b297860c2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827161563_5b297860c2_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827777255_42996f35bd_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827777255_42996f35bd_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827161703_da776df974_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827161703_da776df974_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827161728_55116793bf_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827161728_55116793bf_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51826104572_cd335da6cc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51826104572_cd335da6cc_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827395559_e26b0a0a70_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827395559_e26b0a0a70_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51826104507_7ffd8a7fbb_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51826104507_7ffd8a7fbb_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827777330_470d32e37c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827777330_470d32e37c_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The residential tower.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51826104487_0e5410b372_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51826104487_0e5410b372_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827052686_cacfcdd8f5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827052686_cacfcdd8f5_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827052331_a8b4cfe570_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51827052331_a8b4cfe570_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-84476624340434608702022-01-12T11:43:00.004+00:002022-01-28T22:29:19.039+00:00Tuamgraney, Tower House, Co. Clare. <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Location</b> – In the middle of Tuamgraney on the R463 with roadside parking opposite. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">OS: R 63722 83012</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Longitude: -8.5398544</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Latitude: 52.897006</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Description and History</b> – This is a very nice little <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-t.html" target="_blank">tower house</a> that appears to be in very good condition and it is shame that more isn’t being done with it. It is a three-storey structure built of limestone rubble. The main entrance is defended with a <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-m.html" target="_blank">machicolation</a>, and there are several loops throughout the site. There is clear evidence that there were once <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-b.html" target="_blank">battlements</a> also. <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-p.html" target="_blank">Parapets</a> above a string course can still be seen. The castle also has a <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-b.html" target="_blank">base batter</a>. The interior was closed during our visit. I am not sure if it ever opened, or just because of Covid-19 restrictions when we were there. However, I understand that there is a surviving <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-b.html" target="_blank">barrel vault</a> over one of the floor internally with <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-w.html" target="_blank">wicker centring</a> visible. Modern buildings press up against the tower house, meaning it is difficult to see the castle at a distance from some angles. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">It was build some time in the early 16th century by the O’Grady family who were the traditional coarbs of <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/01/st-cronans-church-tuamgraney-co-clare.html" target="_blank">St. Cronan’s church</a> which sits next door. It is likely that the tower house was constructed to protect the church. The O’Grady’s were a prominent ecclesiastical family in the medieval period with several family members being archbishops, including John O’Grady who was made Archbishop of Cashel in 1332. A Nicholas O’Grady served as the abbot of St. Cronan’s in the 15th century. The family are also closely associated with Holy Island/Inishcealtra as well.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is well worth a visit, especially if you are visiting <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2022/01/st-cronans-church-tuamgraney-co-clare.html" target="_blank">St. Cronan’s</a> next door and there are plenty of other interesting places in the vicinity to visit as well.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Difficulty</b> – Very easy, on level ground, and you don’t have to walk far. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Date of visit: 19th July, 2020.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">For more castles, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/12/castles.html">click here</a>.</p><p>For more sites in Co. Clare, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/11/clare.html">click here</a>.</p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816045971_58552ed481_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816045971_58552ed481_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816152483_f60ee3950c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816152483_f60ee3950c_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816151963_dae01fb0eb_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816151963_dae01fb0eb_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816762985_beff59216a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816762985_beff59216a_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The door is inset into the batter to position it squarely below the machicolation. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816152088_8b39e3dcc5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816152088_8b39e3dcc5_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816762995_770c92b18f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816762995_770c92b18f_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51815091067_9202d6a774_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51815091067_9202d6a774_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking up at the machicolation...not recommended in the 16th century!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816764075_c5a846db67_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816764075_c5a846db67_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816045926_52c0856db5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816045926_52c0856db5_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816764195_824dd48c24_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816764195_824dd48c24_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The base batter. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816045526_37b4a17704_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816045526_37b4a17704_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816394034_bb680eb27e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816394034_bb680eb27e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51815091642_21791fa773_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51815091642_21791fa773_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816045201_aaf9339627_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816045201_aaf9339627_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816393359_c6277d3c18_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816393359_c6277d3c18_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here you really see the proximity of the modern buildings around the castle. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816393209_aaa00797cd_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816393209_aaa00797cd_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816393244_8969aa1641_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816393244_8969aa1641_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816763065_5fb56b5d0f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816763065_5fb56b5d0f_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816151928_e2a806ea4d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816151928_e2a806ea4d_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51815091182_afb0cf36b8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51815091182_afb0cf36b8_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51815091702_56cb2ced88_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51815091702_56cb2ced88_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816152293_0709272110_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816152293_0709272110_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The<a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-g.html" target="_blank"> garderobe</a> chute. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816393954_cd24c306f0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816393954_cd24c306f0_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-77094910266766479222021-11-28T22:47:00.000+00:002021-11-28T22:47:08.195+00:00Clane Friary, Co. Kildare. <p><b>Location</b> – Located in the centre of Clane alongside Main Street (R407), and is clearly visible from the road. </p><p>OS: N 87860 27332</p><p>Longitude: -6.6830832</p><p>Latitude: 53.289244</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Description and History</b> – This Franciscan friary was founded in 1258 by Gerald Fitzmaurice, the 4th Baron of Offaly. The Franciscan seal for Clane friary refer to it as <i>Hortus Angelorum</i> which translates as the ‘garden of the angels’. A General Chapter of the Irish Franciscans was held here in 1345, and in 1433 indulgences were granted to raise funds for the repair of the structure. During the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540, large sections of the building were removed, and the stone used in Maynooth to repair the castle. However, monks continued at the site until 1647 and guardians were still appointed up until 1872. Mass is still said here every year. </p><p>What remains are portions of the north, south, and east walls of a long <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-n.html" target="_blank">nave</a> and <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-c.html" target="_blank">chancel</a> church some 26m in length, and only 6.5m in width. These remains date the original 13th century foundation. Parts of a 15th century aisle also remain which would have widened the original structure. Traces of <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-l.html" target="_blank">lancet</a> style windows can be seen throughout, and traces of what was likely a sedilia can be seen in the chancel area. The remains of a 13th century effigy can also be seen in a niche on the south wall of the chancel. It was previously listed as being on the north wall, but must have been moved in recent years. This is likely the effigy of the friary’s founder, Gerald Fitzmaurice - only the torso remains. </p><p>In 1999 test trenches were excavated, and several buildings, wall and burials associated with the site were discovered. Interestingly a tunnel was found near the SE portion of the structure running SW for nearly 9m. It had an arched roof, and possibly led to a <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-s.html" target="_blank">souterrain</a> chamber used for storage or hiding. It had been previously disturbed by a modern sewerage pipe. Medieval pottery, tiles, and even decorated floor tiles were found. </p><p>This is an interesting site, although the remains are rather poorly preserved, but its fascinating history and interesting archaeological finds make Clane Friary a significant piece of heritage. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Difficulty</b> – Very easy to find and navigate with parking right next to it. </p><p><br /></p><p>Date of visit: 31st August, 2021.</p><p><br /></p><p>For more sites in Co. Kildare, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/06/kildare.html" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p><p>For more ecclesiastical sites, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/12/ecclesiastical-sites.html" target="_blank">click here</a>. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51710630962_dfac6f0c4f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51710630962_dfac6f0c4f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51710630762_1e688c9b94_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51710630762_1e688c9b94_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking from the West.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51711691798_1263e7a95b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51711691798_1263e7a95b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the East.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51711691373_d55086d78a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51711691373_d55086d78a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712298115_5581819ede_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712298115_5581819ede_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking from the West. On the left you can see the original 13th century nave and chancel church, with the 15th century aisle on the right. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51710630047_c5a70f0f78_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51710630047_c5a70f0f78_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The remains of the 15th century aisle. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712086284_d5fd6e4543_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712086284_d5fd6e4543_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712298890_6a8d2f637e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712298890_6a8d2f637e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712299015_ae01b2b9a2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712299015_ae01b2b9a2_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking at the South wall. You can see the row of lancet windows. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51711417201_ca18a53365_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51711417201_ca18a53365_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712088399_3110460f2d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712088399_3110460f2d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712300520_9294d08dd4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712300520_9294d08dd4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712088704_5fdb69ea34_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712088704_5fdb69ea34_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51711692193_e3c1faa8eb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51711692193_e3c1faa8eb_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the remaining details on the lancet windows are carved in sandstone. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51711417491_0a8a76f236_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51711417491_0a8a76f236_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712087794_45de98b562_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712087794_45de98b562_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712299965_9821295a03_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712299965_9821295a03_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51710632362_7da1fec57e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51710632362_7da1fec57e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The torso of the effigy of Gerald Fitzmaurice.</div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-56185413798807399532021-10-31T22:05:00.000+00:002021-10-31T22:05:12.443+00:00Cullahill Castle, Galesquarter, Co. Laois. <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Location</b> – In Cullahill village, just off the R639 between Johnstown and Durrow. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">OS: S 35590 74009</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Long: -7.4728113</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Lat: 52.816153</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Description and History</b> – Cullahill <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-t.html" target="_blank">tower house</a> has been on my radar for many years, and considering that I only live a short drive away it is amazing that I’ve never been here. But, at last the opportunity came and off I went. This limestone tower house is largely ruined now, with nearly all material on the North side lost. However, on the East and South sides it stands to full height, some five storeys high (I could find no reliable reference to the height of the castle, but I would hazard a guess of about 25 metres). A <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-b.html" target="_blank">barrel vault</a> survives over the ground floor, and on the East wall a large chimney stack is still in situ. On the East wall, about 13m up on the southern side sits a <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-s.html" target="_blank">Sheela-na-gig</a>. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a good picture of this, as I would have to enter private property, and there was nobody around to ask permission from. The castle sits in a very well preserved polygonal <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2001/11/glossary-b.html" target="_blank">bawn</a> wall. Nearby to the West is the private chapel of the castle. I will have to return to visit this chapel properly as I didn’t have time on this visit. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The castle is early 15th century in date and was built by the MacGillapatricks around 1425. The castle was attacked in both 1441 and 1517 by enemies from Kilkenny (the Butlers?). It was eventually destroyed and left in its present state by Cromwellians who used cannon against the castle around 1650. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Information boards have now been erected at the site giving an overview of its history, and the surrounding area is well cared for. The signs make it explicitly clear that you cannot enter the castle as it is on private property, and this should be respected, as it abuts a working farm. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Difficulty</b> – Very easy to find as it dominates Cullahill village. There is a small car park about 200m away from the castle. It’s easy to walk around as you can only view it from the outside. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Date of visit: 29th October, 2021.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">For more sites in Co. Laois, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/11/laois.html">click here</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For more castles, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/12/castles.html">click here</a>. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51639128417_6714763fb1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51639128417_6714763fb1_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640809555_66e2b7a2bf_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640809555_66e2b7a2bf_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640610984_4b08bd010f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640610984_4b08bd010f_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51639956056_157db8bac7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51639956056_157db8bac7_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640809205_b9e586298e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640809205_b9e586298e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Part of the bawn wall, with a corner tower. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640610929_0df0f95e42_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640610929_0df0f95e42_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640610574_62b2aae8a0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640610574_62b2aae8a0_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640168758_1771228cc9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640168758_1771228cc9_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640809060_97a806692b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640809060_97a806692b_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51639128372_e543b9f54d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51639128372_e543b9f54d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640168603_1f80eb7835_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640168603_1f80eb7835_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another section of the bawn wall. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640168653_36ef0487e4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51640168653_36ef0487e4_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51639955606_09177de981_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51639955606_09177de981_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51639955551_888786b395_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51639955551_888786b395_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906868922193699344.post-24239641370938736322021-10-18T23:46:00.001+01:002021-10-29T23:51:00.304+01:00The Hackett Effigies, Cashel, Co. Tipperary. <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Location</b> – In the grounds of St. John the Baptist’s Cathedral, on John Street, Cashel.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">OS: 07825 40404</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Latitude: 52.515255</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Longitude: -7.8854451</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Description and History</b> – Set into the 14th town walls of Cashel that originally enclosed some 28 acres, are a series of early 14th century effigies. These effigies, along with the stretch of wall that now house them, form part of the boundary wall of St. John the Baptist’s Cathedral graveyard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">These effigies likely represent Sir William Hackett and his family, probably his wife and two daughters. Around 1265 Sir William founded a Franciscan friary in the town and these effigies would have originally been located in the vault of the friary. They would have been sat on a series of sarcophagi. When the Franciscan friary was demolished in the late 18th century and the modern Roman Catholic Church of St. John built, the effigies were removed and relocated to the town walls.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">While the sarcophagi upon which they sat have been mostly lost, one does survive, and is on display in the Hall of the Vicar’s Choral at the Rock of Cashel. On this sarcophagus is the remains of a fifth, and badly damaged, effigy. Peter Harbison has speculated that the measurements of the effigy of Sir William correspond with the sarcophagus at the Vicar’s Choral. It is likely, then, that they fit together. This would make it Ireland’s only complete sarcophagus with effigy.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The head of a possible 6th effigy now sits in the walls of St. Dominic’s Friary at the foot of the Rock of Cashel. The remains of a second sarcophagus also rests within the friary, but it is too badly damaged to tell if it was part of the Hackett series. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Depicted on the four effigies in the graveyard of St. John’s are a knight and three ladies. The knight carries a shield, while the ladies all have a hand raised to their breast. Details of jewellery, cloth, and head dresses can still be clearly seen. The damaged effigy in the Hall of the Vicar’s Choral shows a male figure. It is placed on a sarcophagus decorated on one side with pointed arches and small quatrefoils. The fact that only one side is decorated indicates that it was originally placed in a niche where the other sides would not be seen. It is also tempting to speculate that the plain arches of the sarcophagus would have originally been painted. In fact, I would argue that the effigies themselves would also have been painted. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Difficulty</b> – Easy to find in the grounds of St. John the Baptist Cathedral, and easy to traverse. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">For more ecclesiastical sites, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/12/ecclesiastical-sites.html" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For more sites in Co. Tipperary, <a href="http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2002/11/tipperary.html" target="_blank">click here</a>. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603418597_0b31881abd_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603418597_0b31881abd_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The graveyard of St. John the Baptist's.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604903889_004e7ee878_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604903889_004e7ee878_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Two of the four effigies in the graveyard. On the right is Sir William Hackett, and on the left is a lady, possibly his wife or daughter. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603419337_b4c9a0f7aa_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603419337_b4c9a0f7aa_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604247886_322160c144_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604247886_322160c144_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51605125930_84198a6e38_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51605125930_84198a6e38_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603421507_622ea79b83_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603421507_622ea79b83_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603421662_70160d26e7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603421662_70160d26e7_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603420412_13c5cbdf58_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603420412_13c5cbdf58_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604902169_3abbf2a823_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604902169_3abbf2a823_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604902584_50936090ae_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604902584_50936090ae_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604460573_5401bdd1c3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604460573_5401bdd1c3_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604460873_78f7ab2e48_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604460873_78f7ab2e48_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604245431_73c68ba831_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604245431_73c68ba831_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The damaged sarcophagus in St. Dominic's Abbey. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51605124660_f9d3e40a13_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51605124660_f9d3e40a13_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The head of the possible 6th effigy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51605126825_d25abc75b2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51605126825_d25abc75b2_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sarcophagus in the Hall of the Vicar's Choral at the Rock of Cashel. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51605126790_4971bdf559_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51605126790_4971bdf559_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604248196_0949c1da8e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51604248196_0949c1da8e_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />The Standing Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831180667904811620noreply@blogger.com