Showing 1-20 of 376 fieldnotes. Most recent first | Next 20 
This barrow is just inside county Tipperary in the area of Johnstown.
It is in an dry island area in a bog as the name "Togher" gives away. A Togher is a timber roadway through a bog.
The barrow has an internal ditch which had me thinking that it may be a henge and it has an causewayed entrance to the SE. Part of the ditch is water-logged. The inventory gives the barrow a diameter of 30m. To get to it is possible via a bog-road that gets you to with 100m of the barrow. The OS map shows that there are no houses in the vicinity of this track but there is now one right at the roadside.
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Funnily enough being from the area it was only last winter when there were no leaves on the trees that I spotted what is listed as a motte. I checked the inventory thinking to myself that it had a very mound like look to it.
What really took my interest is the fact that just about 200m to the west there has been an excavation on an enclosure. This enclosure according to the inventory "suggested that Tullahedy represents an extensive ritual area from the Neolithic period on a scale previously unknown in the Irish archaeological record".
When they excavated the enclosure they found "Polished stone axes, chert arrowheads, struck chert, stone beads and a pendant were recovered from the fill of this ditch".
Now Im not saying that this motte is from the Neolithic but I am suggesting that perhaps further investigation should be focused on it especially knowing the Normans reuse of ancient mounds for their mottes and also the fact that is metres from "an extensive ritual area". The inventory suggests that "A natural hill which has been scarped to form a steep-sided flat-topped mound (top diam. 19.2m N-S; H11m)".
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This is listed in the Inventory as a possible megalithic tomb. It is within 400m of the main mound at Ashleypark. The inventory gives this as its reasoning that it may not be genunine "The awkward siting of this feature, its location in a disused farmyard complex, and its lack of clear diagnostic features raise uncertainty as to its nature and antiquity".
Im curious to what other people might think of it, my own thoughts after viewing it is that it may be genuine.
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I found reference to this headstone while parked in the tiny village of Glenroe (which actually does exist). Another time while passing through this area I spotted the sign for the graveyard itself and took a spin to see it. Its not far from the crossroads that is marked with a sign Darragh.
The art itself consists of a cross, a backwards P and a long snaky symbol.
The info board has this to say about it "A large stone, resembling a headstone, which may also be seen in the graveyard, appears to have 'Rock Art' (abstract images carved on stone), which may also date from the Megalithic or Neolithic periods"
I think this is unlikely however and it may more likely be Christian art.
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I tried to find this tomb once before but failed. The OS map shows it to be in the middle of some forestry. This forestry turns out to be apple trees and the wedge tomb is actually in open grass to the south of the apple trees.
It is very close to the rear of a farmhouse so I would recommend perhaps coming in by the lane and asking for permission. I happened to have came in from the rear thinking that the trees would cover my approach.
The capstone on this tomb is pretty huge as the pictures show. The isnt much of a chamber, the sidestones have fallen in and what would have been a chamber now seems to be full of smaller stones. There is a pool about 100m to the east and there is one stone in it that looks like it may have once been part of the tomb.
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This is a huge stone, it must be 4m high. It is located past Castlegregory in a tiny hamlet called Candiha. An area that is beautiful on a calm day but on the day I was there it was windy and desolate.
The stone is only one small field from the road and so access it relatively easy.
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This rock art is on a huge outlier of an impressive stone row.
The inventory mentions that it has "a cup and 2 circles centrally positioned on the face; below this are 2 cup and circles and grouped together at the base of the stone are 2 cup and circles with radial lines and a cup and incomplete cirlce. In addition there are 7 plain cup-marks and a series of linear grooves".
I visited this rock art at 12 noon when this side of the stone was in shadow and so could not get a great picture of the art. Even inspecting visually I could only make out the main cup and ring that I pointed out. I would think that someone with better photography skills would be able to make much more out of this panel.
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This stone row is marked as 2 Gallains on the OS map. The row is situated within 1km of Lispole and once you negogiate a maze of roads access is pretty reasonable. There is a track on the map that actually exists and its a short walk along this track from the road.
The row is very impressive with amazing views all around. The inventory says that the stone heights are 3m, 2.2 and 1.65m high.
What is very interesting is that it says "The alignment is oriented on the setting sun at the Winter Solstice (Lynch 1981b, 26)" so this may make a very nice spot for watching the sun go down on the Winter Solstice.
There is a huge outlier 2.9m high to the north east of the main row. What makes this outlier particulary special is that there are cup and rings on it.
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In the archaeological inventory for the area published in 1986 there is no mention of this piece of rock-art being in a museum. It does however say that is in possession of Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhe.
It is described as thus "These 2 stones found in close proximity to one another on the SE slope of Knocknakilton, overlooking the Emlagh river valley. The smaller stone has been removed from the field fence and is now in the possession of Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhe.
(1) The measures 1.2m x .8m x .07m to .15m thick. The markings are dominated by a large cup and 3 circles with a radial line running from the central cup through a gap in the inner circle and across the outer circles. A possible cup mark; badly eroded lies between the 2 outer circles. The remainder of the motifs comprise at least 6 cup-marks which, though gapped, may once have been complete as the surface of the stone is spalled where the gap occures"
It appears a cup marked slab still lies at the OS coordinates listed.
Here is a link to some info about the museum in Ballyferriter where it can now be viewed.
http://www.kerrytourist.com/details/corca_dhuibhne_regional_museum.shtml
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This fine standing stone is over 2.85m high and went looking at it when I was trying to find the rock art in this townland which I have since discovered is on the other side of the road!
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This site is just off the road on the Slea Head drive. When we visited in September 2009 there was a charge of €2.50 to see it. You also get a photocopied information sheet
Its a nice site but not worth that kind of cover charge.
The audio-visual experience is extra, we didnt go for this however.
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This rock art panel is only a few kms from the village of Lispole, in Co, Kerry. A OS map would be needed.
Its shown on the map as being right next to a T junction. This T junction has a little townland sign for Aghacaribbe (I think), however the rock it is located on is about one field up from this and can be accessed over a gate.
Access to it isnt far from gate, you can see it easily from the gate it is pretty much in the middle of a field with a path going right by it.
Seemingly a field boundary once cut the stone into two parts but this boundary seems to be long gone.
As a newcomer to rock-art I really loved this panel.
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This is a great bullaun stone in the really great town of Dingle in Co. Kerry. I spent a week down there not too long along and had a wonderful time.
This bullaun stone is know locally as "the holy stone" and is situated in a parking space at the top of Goat Street in the town of Dingle.
There is not a lot made of it in the tourist brochures but its not every night you can come home from a few pints and eat your curry chips sitting on a bullaun stone.
Also the name "holy stone" can only get you thinking of Father Teds "Holy Stone of Clonrichert".
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This amazing panel is on the road up to Staigue Fort. Looking at Cians pics its unreal how much of the art isnt visible normally.
It is now much easier to access after the river leading to it has been bridged over as part of some drainage works.
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Approximately 6 ogham stones have been relocated from Kerry to Adare Manor in Co. Limerick. They are hidden away next to the pet-cemetary within the beautiful grounds of this amazing hotel.
There is normally security on the gate leading into the hotel so if you want to get in to see them at least look a little bit presentable. The manor house itself is fabulous looking and would be worth a trip alone. Seeing these fine ogham stones is a great bonus.
For directions etc to the manor see the following link.
http://www.adaremanor.com/
The website has the following info on them
"were "imported" from Kerry by Edwin, the third Earl. Three of them came from the town land of Kilbonane, near Killarney, where two had been found inserted in a farmhouse wall. A group of five are close together."
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This shows up as a henge on www.Archaeology.ie , dont know much else about it except that. On inspecting it looks a lot more like a normal ring-fort. I couldnt see any sign of an internal ditch but in fairness it was very overgrown. Might be worth a look in winter when the grass has died back a bit. It is located about 4 kms north west of Listowel. You can easily park next to a graveyard which is right beside it.
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Mullach Inneona was the inauguration site of the kings of An Deise Thuaiscirt from time immemorial until the coming of the Normans. According to legend, Aonghus Nad-fraoich, King of Cashel, granted the territory of Uibh Eoghain and Uibh Fhathaidh (Iffa and Offa E. & W.) to the Deise, as a reward for expelling the Osraige from the area. They gave their name, An Deise Thuaiscirt, to the newly acquired territory. It is related that St. Patrick came to Inneoin to fast against the king, Ledhan, because he had refused to accept baptism from St. Declan. Declan came to Inneoin to meet Patrick. They deposed Ledhan, appointed Feargal MacCormaic in his place, blessed him and proclaimed him chieftan. The Declan and Fergal gave a large area of land to Patrick in which there was a clear fountain, since known as St Patricks Well, which was to belong to Patrick's successors forever. The last king of An Deisc Thuaiscirt was Maolsheachlainn Faolain. In 1159 he made a grant of land to the Cistercian Monastery of Inis Leamhnachta. With the coming of the Normans in 1160, he gradually lost power and his death in 1205 signalled the end of the Deise Kingdom. Thus ended the reign of Mullach Inneona as an inaugeration site, where for centuries was enacted one of the oldest rituals in Europe, the wedding of the lawful king to the goddess of the place.
When taking a short-cut around Clonmel I spotted this unusual sign. Not sure what it was I read it and called back when it was dryer to view the site. It appears to be a natural mound that was used for the inaugeration of the Deise kings.
What I found interesting was the info boards reference to the "wedding of the lawful king to the goddess of the place" and also the clear views from this area to Sliabh na mBan.
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Ended up heading to this low boring mound by accident by mistake thinking it was the more impressive mound of Carn Mhic Tail.
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Carleton Jones book on the burren believes that this is a medieval inaugeration site for the O'Connors and O'Loughlins. He says that "Carn Mhic Tail is named after Tailm the ancestor of both Conchobhar and Locklainn, and it was considered the burial place of Tail". He does go on to say that many medieval inaugeration sites reused ancient burial mounds so as to legitimise their rule.
In this case I would think it would have to be a burial mound of some kind. It is a huge cairn, could be 10-12m high. No idea what diameter.
It is easy enough to get to, it is close to the little village of Kilshanny, dont try to cross the Derreen river to get to it, drive around to the opposite side by the road and it is only about two fields walk from the road in.
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This was one of the most amazing barrows I have ever seen. Ive never seen one holding its water in such a tidy and aesthically pleasing way. Looking at the main ring-barrow here it does add to the argument that some barrow/monuments may have used water features to make them more dramatic. I think in this case you will agree it does look pretty impressive.
I presume that the water doesnt stay here year round. This barrow is located alongside a path that can be accessed by driving up the hill to the right coming from the ferry (towards Doonagore tower house). There is a warning sign for dangerous cliffs and this barrow are pretty close to the path/cliffs. You can get a view down to the axe factory from here.
The other two are about 300m farther to the east.
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Showing 1-20 of 376 fieldnotes. Most recent first | Next 20 |
Megalithic explorer from Co. Tipperary in Ireland. Travelling Munster in search of adventures.
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