Dunnamaggan Cross, Co Kilkenny, Ireland
Perforated cross with top two perforations square and bottom two round
A figure has been carved into the shaft of the cross on both sides and crucifixion scene sits between the perforations
Underexposed – an Irish Photoblog
Dunnamaggan Cross, Co Kilkenny, Ireland
Perforated cross with top two perforations square and bottom two round
A figure has been carved into the shaft of the cross on both sides and crucifixion scene sits between the perforations
The path to the Temple of Deen in the background
Temple of Deen Court Tomb aka Laraghirril Court Tomb
A view of the court remains at the Temple of Deen
Temple of Deen Court Tomb, Laraghirril, Culdaff, Inishowen, Co Donegal, Ireland
Tullaherin Monastic Site, Co Kilkenny, Ireland
Tullaherin Round Tower and Church
Tullaherin Round Tower
Tullaherin Ogham Stone
Bishops Palace aka Raphoe Castle, Donegal, Ireland
Fortified mansion built by Bishop John Leslie in 1636
Ards Beg Portal Tomb, Ailt, Ardsbeg, Co Donegal
Link to previous visit here https://www.tonyoneill.org/2017/03/03/ards-beg-portal-tomb/
Hill of Tara – Mound of the Hostages. Previous visit links below
https://www.tonyoneill.org/2017/01/12/mound-of-the-hostages
https://www.tonyoneill.org/2016/10/31/lia-fail-stone-of-destiny
The larger of the two Standings Stone in the graveyard
The smaller Standing Stone in the graveyard
Ballyshaun Castle, Gowran, Co Kilkenny, Ireland
Stonecarthy (Stoneycarthy) Church, Co Kilkenny, Ireland
Stonecarthy Church and Graveyard
St Mary’s Church, Gowran, Co Kilkenny, Ireland
Dating from the late 13th century the medieval church was partly reconstructed in the early 19th century
Oakfield Demesne Standing Stone, Raphoe, Co Donegal, Ireland
The west face of Oakfield Demesne Standing Stone
Doe Castle, Co Donegal, Ireland
The 16th century castle was the traditional home of the Sweeney Clan
Haroldstown Portal Tomb, Co Carlow, Ireland
Stroan Fountain, Co Kilkenny, Ireland
A natural spring feeds the fountain built ‘erected by subscription by permission of the Landlord Gervase Bushe. Designed and arranged by Thomas Seigne.’
Athgreany Stone Circle (the Piper’s Stones), Co Wicklow, Ireland
The circle now consists of 14 stones with some of the original missing
Clara Church, Co Kilkenny, Ireland
The ruin of Clara Church is a short distance from Clara Castle
Clara Castle, Co Kilkenny, Ireland
Kernanstown Dolmen aka Browneshill Dolmen, Co Carlow, Ireland
Ullard Church, Co Kilkenny, Ireland
The 12th century church was built on the site of a 7th century monastery
Ullard Church – Romanesque Doorway
Ullard Church – Romanesque Doorway detail
9th century High Cross
At the back of the church a handball alley was build using the church wall
The Rock of Dunamase, Co Laois, Ireland
Through the centuries The Rock of Dunamase was a place of fortification. During the Norman conquest of Ireland the rock was refortified and its these ruins that have survived.
The gate to Dunamase Castle ruins
Threecastles Castle, Co Wicklow, Ireland
The last remaining castle at Threecastles
Threecastles stands next to the Kilbride Rd (L4365) between Kilbride and Blessington
Entrance doorway
Ray High Cross
Ray High cross
Subcircular stone with perforation and two mill stones
Raymunterdoney (Ray) old church, Co Donegal, Ireland
Ray Standing Stone in the North East corner of the graveyard
Bullaun Stone in Ray Graveyard
Ray old church with bullaun stone forefront and standing stone background
Pair of standing stones at Barnes Lower, Donegal, Ireland
There are cup marks on the stones but the direction of the light concealed them
Barnes Lower Stone Row (Alignment), Co Donegal, Ireland
The three stone alignment with the third stone barely visible
The two larger stones with surface texture emphasised by oblique sunlight
The largest stone of the alignment again with surface texture emphasised by oblique sunlight
Barnes Lower alignment with Muckish mountain in the background
Barnes Lower stone row with Muckish Mountain
Barnes Lower view from car park with Lake Salt and Muckish Mountain. The stones are approx. 150 mtr from track to right as you enter car park
Killahoey Beach aka Dunfanaghy Beach, Dunfanaghy, Donegal, Ireland
Leamaneh Castle, the Burren, Co Clare, Ireland
Gleninagh Medieval Church, the Burren, Co Clare
The enclosure contains numerous ancient graves marked with simple stones
Creevagh Wedge Tomb, the Burren, Co Clare, Ireland
Creevagh Wedge Tomb, Black & White
Pinnacle Well, the Burren, Co Clare, Ireland
A housing was built over the well around 1860 giving it the appearance of a small church
Parknabinnia wedge tomb, the Burren, Co Clare
Parknabinnia viewed from the road – with some local tourists
Parknabinnia Wedge Tomb in BW
Doonagore Castle, Doolin, Co Clare, Ireland. Mid 16th century Castle restored in the 1970s
Carron/Carran Church on the Burren, Co Clare, Ireland
The ruins of the 13th century Carron Church
Carved head on the north wall of Carron Church ruin
Fairy Bridges, Tullan Strand, Bundoran, Co Donegal
It is said that locals thought the natural sea arches were haunted by the fairies
Shesknan tomb? Co Leitrim, Ireland
Shesknan Tomb? Co Leitrim, Ireland
Gortnahoula Court Tomb, Co Sligo, Ireland
Much of the site is buried under the peat with the other stones obscured by tall reeds
Moneylahan Cashel, Co Sligo, Ireland
All that remains of the walled enclosure
Tawly Mass Rock and Bullaun Stone, Leitrim, Ireland
The Mass rock has an incised cross and ‘IHS’ inscription just visible below
Tawly Bullaun Stone – both stones were found close by
Aghaderrard Court Tomb, County Leitrim, Ireland
The ruins and remnants of Aghaderrard Court Tomb
Halloween or Halowe’en comes from All Hallows Eve – The night before All Hallows Day (All Saints Day) which was the Christanisation of Samhain an ancient Celtic festival of celebration, feasting and connecting with ancestors at harvest time. Celebrated on October 31st, the half way point between the Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. Ancient Celtic tradition marked this as a time when the barriers between the spiritual and physical worlds came down which marked it as a time for Fairies (Shee/Sidhe) and other malevolent beings. From here we get many of the pagan practices that continue to today. Irish and Scottish migrants took their traditions with them to America and America, well Americanised it.
Links to past Jack O’ Lanterns 2017 here https://www.tonyoneill.org/2017/10/25/traditional-jack-o-lantern-2017/ and 2016 here https://www.tonyoneill.org/2016/10/27/irish-jack-o-lantern/
Donaghmore Round Tower and Church, Co Meath, Ireland
Donaghmore 10th century Round Tower and 15th Century Church ruin
Donaghmore Round Tower stands 26 meters tall
The ruin of Donaghmore Church
Donaghmore Round Tower just off the N51 Navan to Slane Road
An original monastery here dates to St. Patrick who gave his disciple, St. Cassanus (Cassan) stewardship
Coolbeg Wedge Tomb, Drumcliff, Co Sligo, Ireland