Inch Abbey County Down

The vast ruins of  Inch Abbey can be found on the north bank of the Quoile River.
The Abbey was founded by John de Courcy in atonement for his destruction of Erenagah Abbey.

The abbey was colonized by monks from Furness Abbey, England in 1187.
What remains of the abbey shows a typical Cistercian layout with the shape of a large cruciform architectural plan.
The Abbey is built on the site of an earlier pre-Norman church called Inis Cumhscraigh.
Vikings plundered the site in 1002 and again in 1149.
Some of the original large earthworks which survive  can be seen today from the air.

What remains of the abbey today are buildings that are dated mainly from the late 12th Century and the 13th Century.

Other well known sites that are linked with John de Courcy include the castles of Carrickfergus and Dundrum  along with Grey Abbey.

Access - The abbey is well signposted from Downpatrick.
Parking is available for several cars close to the abbey.
Expect to make a furry friend or two while at the site as the grounds around the abbey are very popular with dog walkers.

Legananny Portal Tomb

One of Northern Ireland's most famous megalithic sites is County Downs Legananny Portal Tomb.

This really has to be one of the most striking tombs I have ever seen with the Mourne mountains providing a superb backdrop.

The tripod tomb has a long narrow capstone which is over 3 meters in length.
The front two portal stones are 1.8 meters in height and the back stone is over 1 meter in height.
One of the front stones has an L shaped cut from the top of the stone (which is thought to be original).


Some stones remain around the base from what would been a more extensive cairn.
The name Legananny comes from "Aines standing stone" Aines being an Irish goddess.

Access - The site is signposted from the A50 Castlewellan to Banbridge road.

Parking for a couple of cars is available and leaves you with a very short walk to the tomb.

















  

Ross Castle

Ross Castle must be the most photographed castle in Ireland as on the morning of my visit there had to be upwards of two hundred people all milling about and all seemed to have cameras. Extreme patience was required to get the above shots.

The castle is considered to be a typical example of the type of stronghold of an Irish Chieftain during the Middle Ages.
Probably built in the late 15th century by one of the O'Donoghue Ross chieftains.
The castle is better known for its association with the Browne's of Killarney who owned the castle most recently.

The four storey square keep is built on a rocky outcrop on Ross Island by the shore of Lough Leane.
The castle is surrounded by a square defensive wall with two of the four original corner towers surviving today.

Ross Castle is said to be the last stronghold in Munster to hold out against Cromwell.
It was eventually taken by General Ludlow in 1652 - when it was fired upon from the lake.

The castle has been much altered in the intervening years.
It came into state care in the 70s and was restored by the OPW.
Allowing for the major restoration of the castle it still has plenty of its original character.

Access -  the castle is only a couple of minutes drive from Killarney town.
Parking is not a problem.
The inside of the castle can be viewed as part of a guided tour. 

Garrane Stone Row / Alignment

The superb stone row of Garrane is along with the many other stone row alignments in county Cork well worth the effort of checking out.

The four stone row stands North East - South West.
Sadly one of the stones has fallen.
The three stones that still stand range from the tallest at a massive 4.5 meters with the two smaller stones an impressive 3.5 and 3 meters in height.

By the look of the stones this site has been flooded quite badly recently.

Despite a pretty dire day for my visit, this took absolutely nothing away from getting to see Garrane stone row up close. The sheer size of the stones make Garrane very special.

Access - The alignment is on private land and is hard to spot from the road.
Travelling from the Mallow direction via Dromahane you will pass a farm on your right - the stone row is directly behind the next house.
Visiting Garrane would be best advised in the summer - preferably after a dry spell.
The fields in and around the stone row are used for grazing cattle.
              

Ballintober Castle

Ballintober Castle is thought to date back as far as the 13th Century.
The original building of the castle is claimed to be the work of William de Burgo.
The castle fell into the hands of the O'Connors in the 14th century and remained in their possession for many centuries.

The castle was surrendered to Red Hugh O'Donnell in 1598, the walls of the castle were breached in this attack as cannons were fired upon them.

The castle became a centre for Catholic resistance in 1641, and as a result it was confiscated in 1652.

The O'Connors regained possession in 1677 and remained in residence until 1701, when it was abandoned.

The castle consists of large polygonal towers in the corners, the remains of a gate house can be seen in the East wall.
Inside the vast internal area is about 3000 square meters.

The castle was originally surrounded by a wide moat, part of which can be seen in the lead image.

Access - The castle can be pretty much seen from all roads that lead into Ballintober. 
Parking is not a problem as a small residential estate is opposite the castle. 

Ballynageeragh Portal Tomb

These shots are the result of a re visit to Ballynageeragh, as on the previous occasion I was not happy with the way the images turned out.
Ballynageeragh tomb to be honest is a bit of a mess as it has been reconstructed quite badly.
Some of the people responsible for this even saw fit to put their name to the work (you can find it on the cavity blocks at the back).

The tombs capstone is over 4 meters in length and close to 2.5 meters in width.
It has a nice angle which gives the tomb a bit of character.
The wall stones are at funny angles and look all wrong, but even they don't prepare you for the work of
P Murray & Sons which can be seen in all its glory at the back of the tomb.

Ballynageerargh is part of Waterford's Dolmen trail.
You will find much better tombs close by like Gaulstown and Knockeen.
But this tomb is still very much worth a visit as despite the work carried out this tomb when viewed from the front looks pretty special.

Access - The tomb is located in a very large field,
The field is opposite a working farm and has a narrow lane way that brings you down to the site, there is room for parking. 
From where you park the tomb will look a bit on the small side, but when you climb the cattle gate and get up closer you will see this is not true as the tomb has a nice size to it.

Glinsk Castle

Glinsk Castle may have been one of the last castles (or even the very last) built in Ireland.
Built in the 17thCentury it was the main residence of Mac David Burke lord of Clonconway.

The setting for this very striking ruin could not be better.  Built on a rise over looking all around with the river suck providing a loud soundtrack in the background.

The castle is located on the site of an earlier castle, which was thought to be a tower house.

Glinsk is typical of Norman castles built pre the 1641 rebellion. Which incorporates spacious living quarters with the means to defence when needed.

The castle is three stories high and is built over a raised basement.

Gutted by fire not long after being built (date unknown), what remains today is a very striking ruin.
The two large chimney shafts which each have five stacks dominate the castle and give the ruin great presence.

Access - Located at the lower end of Glinsk village, parking can be found as you cross the bridge on your right.
A stile is there to help you climb down into the castles field, but beware cattle may be in that same field.