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From
Pobal Ailbhe: Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly - Christy O'Dwyer
"The tumulus at Lattin is most likely contemporaneous with the great burial mound at Newgrange"
pg 205
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From
Pobal Ailbhe: Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly - Christy O'Dwyer
"According to local folklore in pre-Christain times druids worshipped the Sun God at the mound of stones on top ot Teampaillin, Temple Hill"
pg 159
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Journal of the Waterford and South East of Ireland Archaeological Society Volume III 1897
Available to download at http://www.waterfordcountylibr[...]ejournals/jwseias/jwseiasvol3/
Pg 92 - Earliest Monuments in Cashel and Emly
by Rev R H Long, Rector, Templemore
"The remains at New Grange, near Drogheda, are considered to be tombs, and the similar mounds in the diocese of Cashel and Emly may be also. The most notable of these are two in Rathcool parish-one at Ardmayle, and one at Knockgraffon. There is no doubt that these mounds are hollow, and there is but little doubt that some day they will be destroyed. One of them had in recent years a narrow escape from a passing railway. I have been informed on good authority that some fifty years age certain workmen, while tilling the field about this latter, came on a subter-ranean passage in which they found what they described as two old swords and an old bucket, which, of course, they treated as rubbish."
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I was very excited when I found this paragraph.
It hints that the motte may be a passage tomb as I had suspected.
Journal of the Waterford and South East of Ireland Archaeological Society Volume III 1897
Available to download at http://www.waterfordcountylibrary.ie/en/localstudies/ejournals/jwseias/jwseiasvol3/
Pg 92 - Earliest Monuments in Cashel and Emly
by Rev R H Long, Rector, Templemore
"What a pity it is that a society is not formed now, e'er it is too late, to make a thorough photographic examination of those that remain, and deposit in our museum whatever articles may be found in them of historic value.
The fairies of our times are growing too merciful to mankind to be trusted any longer with those relics, and when they allow Paddy to get hold of them he does not care anything about them unless they are either gold or silver. However, it is probable that but few of these earth-works are sepulchral; those with a central mound are, I suppose, the only ones that may be.
The remains at New Grange, near Drogheda, are considered to be tombs, and the similar mounds in the diocese of Cashel and Emly may be also. The most notable of these are two in Rathcool parish-one at Ardmayle, and one at Knockgraffon. There is no doubt that these mounds are hollow, and there is but little doubt that some day they will be destroyed. One of them had in recent years a narrow escape from a passing railway. I have been informed on good authority that some fifty years age certain workmen, while tilling the field about this latter, came on a subter-ranean passage in which they found what they described as two old swords and an old bucket, which, of course, they treated as rubbish."
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Knockgraffon.--Another noted Munster palace was Cnoc-Rafonn, now called Knockgraffon, three miles north of Caher in Tipperary, where the great mound, 60 or 70 feet high, still remains, with the ruins of an English castle beside it. Here resided, in the third century, Fiacha Muillethan [Feeha-Mullehan], king of Munster, who, when the great King Cormac mac Art invaded Munster in an attempt to levy tribute, defeated him at Knocklong and routed his army: an event which forms the subject of the historical tale called "The Siege of Knocklong."
The fort is now as noted for fairies as it was in times of old for royalty: and one of the best known modern fairy stories in connexion with it will be found in Crofton Croker's "Fairy Legends of Ireland" namely, "The Legend of Knockgrafton." This Irish legend has been turned into English verse, but with much interpolation, by Thomas Parnell in his ballad, "A Fairy Tale."
from
http://www.libraryireland.com/[...]yAncientIreland/III-XVI-17.php
Secret Sights book has this to say
"renowned as a place of otherworldly music. It was widly reputed in the 19th Century to be a place where ceolsidhe, the music of enchantment, could be heard."
"it has an ancient well, where Fiacha had placed silver cups for anyone wishing to drink, to offer hospitality and show his rule of law.
7th century poem about it
"This great rath on which I stand
Wherein is a little well with a bright silver drinking cup
Sweet was the voice of the wood of blackbirds
Round this rath of Fiacha, son of Moinche"
(Joyce, 1913)
link to a pic of it.
http://www.theapplefarm.com/knockgraffon.htm
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The little village just below Seefin is actually Glenosheen. It is said to come from Gleann Oisin, meaning the Glen of Oisin and this according to legend is where Oisin fell off his horse after returning from Tir na nOg.
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http://www.ballyhoura.com/attractheritageframe2.htm
Here on the summit of Ardpatrick are the remains of an Early Christian monastery. According to tradition, St. Patrick founded a monastery here in the 5th century, however modern scholars doubt if the saint ever came as far south as Munster. The attribution may derive from Ardpatrick coming within the sphere of influence of Armagh where Patrick was the patron saint.
Around the top of the hill on the northern side, outside the graveyard wall are a series of low earthern banks which may be the remains of this monastery - "an almost unique survival of the ancient agricultural endeavours of the monks". The field patterns are clearly visible from the Kilmallock road in the sunlight.
These early monasteries were not laid out according to a standardised plan, but grew organically with simple huts for the monks clustered around a central church. Enclosing this was an earthern bank or stone wall, known as the vallum, which defined the area where the ecclesiastical rather than the secular law held sway. Consequently criminals or outlaws on the run, often sought sanctuary in these monasteries.
The Holy Well lies outside the present graveyard wall, and is possibly the oldest feature of the site. The worship of water was popular amongst the ancient Celts; according to local tradition Ardpatrick was a Druidical centre. With the coming of Patrick many of these pagan sites were converted to Christian use. Water from this well is said to cure lameness, rickets and rheumatism.
The present church ruin is medieval in date but probably stands on the site of a series of earlier churches which were built of wood 'according to the Irish fashion'. The surrounding graveyard is still in use.
Important Irish monasteries were sometimes marked by a tall round stone-built tower. The round tower here is now reduced to a stump; it was struck by lightening during a storm in 1824. The base of the tower was excavated in the 19th century and parts of two bells were found.
Another important association of Ardpatrick is with the ancient roadway known as the Rian Bo Phadraig. The name derives from the legend of St. Patrick's Cow; this supernatural beast made the roadway by dragging its horn across the countryside.
In ancient tale, Ardpatrick is called Tulach na Feinne, the Hill of Fianna, the Fianna being the famous band of mythological warriors whose leader was Fionn Mac Cumhaill.
The site is signposted (it says Early Christian Monastic Site) from outside the Greenwood Inn, Ardpatrick There is a trail leading up the hill (225m high) to the site. Carparking is available in Ardpatrick.
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http://www.ballyhoura.com/attractheritageframe2.htm
Lady's Well and Tobar Righ an Domhnaigh
Some holy wells have a very long tradition of being venerated, possibly evolving from the pre-Christian tradition of worshipping water sources as deities. Holy wells were usually associated with a particular saint and offered cures for a range of aliments. On the feast day of the saint a pattern was held. The ritual of obtaining a cure or favour involved making the rounds of the well, saying certain prayers and leaving a charm or offering at the well or tying a ribbon or rag onto an adjacent tree of overhanging bush. This site is unusual as there are two wells in close proximity. The tree covered well is known as Our Lady's well which is still venerated.
Tobar Ri and Domhnaigh or the 'King of Sunday's Well" is a water logged souterrain. Souterrains are under ground chambers which were built in the early Christian period. They are thought to be places of refuge or food storage and are often associated with ring-forts (early Christian farmsteads). There are a number of man made earthworks in the field. The existence of the holy well, the soutterain and the earthworks in the field suggest there was a settlement here in the Early Christian period.
Situated 1 mile from Kilfinane. The well is accessible across a field which is signposted at the style.
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Taken from
http://www.ballyhoura.com/attractheritageframe2.htm
Cathair Murthuile Ringfort
Ringforts were farmsteads built in the Early Christian period (c. 500-1000 AD). They were agricultural centres, but also had a strong focus on craft. This fort location, on a hilltop, is an unusual location for a ringfort. The scale of the enclosing elements, and its location would indicate that this was a high status fort which was likely to have been more than a residential complex and may have some association with Ardpatrick which is visible from here on a hill top to the south. It has been suggested that this is the site of the old 'Teamhair Luachra' referred to in early Irish literature.
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Taken from info board at The City of Shrone
'On our right, we were much struck with the singular appearance of the two hills, called The Paps. They are smoothly formed to the fairest proportion, imitating the outline of a woman's bosom'
Diary of Traveller on Butter Road in 1797 from visit to Killarney Lakes
The Paps are named after Anu, prinicipal Goddess of pre-Christian Ireland and mother Goddess of the Tuatha De Danann, a legendary group of divine invaders who ruled Ireland until their final defeat at the hands of the Milesians. The Goddess Anu brought prosperity to Munster. Anu or Danu who appear to be one in the same divinity, was originally a European Goddess, her name being commerorated most famously in the River Danube. Anu is also identified with the Mor Riogach, a war fury or Goddess whose name means great queen, together with Badbh and Macha, she was one of the triad of War Goddesses known as the Morrigna, manifesting themselves as ravens. Immediately to the North East of the higher Pap is an area called Gleannfreagham "The Glen of the Crows" and a small lake of the same name. Such names in proximity with the mountains called after Anu shows how mythology lives on in place names. Ravens still inhabit this Glen and in suitable weather conditions can be seen gliding on the thermals above the cairns on the summits of the Paps.
The Paps' cairns appear to be part of a deliberately placed series which overlook the plains of the southwest. The cairn on the eastern peak is a substantial monument, measuring a height of 4 metres and a diameter of 18m-20metres. The entrances of both cairns are aligned westwards, towards the setting sun. It is thought that the cairns contain Neolithic burial chambers. They are the subject of ongoing study and excavations to confirm such theories.
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Taken from the 2 information boards in the vicinity of the site.
Known locally as The City, an amusing name for such a rural site. However "City" is a modern translation of 'Cathair' the Irish word that meant "Stone Fort of Castle" eg Cathair na Steige – Staighe Fort in south west Kerry – as there were no "cities" in Ireland at that time. Ongoing site excavations are attempting to establish the relationship between this ancient site and the cairn-crowned Paps Mountains. They are also investigation, the possibility that The City may have evolved from a sacred Neolithic monument.
The site is known locally as Cathair Craobh Dearg, meaning Fort of the Red Claw, which is thought to refer to one of the triad of war goddesses, who manifested herself as a raven in battle. Despite its pagan origins the name was bestowed upon one of the area's three sister saints (St. Craobh Dearg, St. Laitiaran, St. Gobnait), revered from Early Christain times. The site's holy well which was previously used in pagan spirituality is now a source of Christian Holy Water.
One of the western worlds oldest centres of continued worship and celebration, The City is symbolic of Ireland's transition from paganism to Christianity. May Day scenes at The City have included pagan rituals, trading, the herding of my kin and other traditional breeds of cow (such as the Driomnionn) for healing at the site and prayer recitals whilst doing 'the rounds' which remain an annual occurrence here.
This cashel, caher or stone fort is known locally as 'The City'. In pre-Christain ritual, this site was associated with The Paps which represent Anu, the Mother Goddess. The cairns on the summits of The Paps are likely to date to either the Neolithic or Bronze Age (Connolly & Coyne 2002). The term 'Crobh Dearg' ("red claw") suggests a triad of war goddesses who manifested themselves as ravens or crows.
In Celtic spirituality, The City was a Penitential Station. John O'Donovan (1841) reported that the peasantry performed stations (or rounds) there and drove their cattle to drink from the holy well in the west side of the site. In his book, "In the Shadow of the Paps" (2001), Dan Cronin gives details of the traditional manner of "paying the rounds".
For much of the 20th century Christian piety and festive frolics attracted crowds on May Day. Traders came from as far away as Cork City.
In recent decades people came during May to pray the Rosary as they walk clockwise inside and outside the cashel wall.
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This is said to be the burial place of Amhairghin. First of the Milesians to come to Ireland.
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Taken from the information board in Rathmore
Danu, sometimes referred to as Anu, is the ancient Celtic goddess of fertility, prosperity and comfort, and has representation in other forms across Europe, such as Dennitsa (Russian, Danae (classical Greek) and Dinah (Hebrew), as well as linking her with the role of Earth Mother. Comparision have also been made by a number of scholars between Danu and the Greek goddess Demeter. Many place names thoughout Europe are derived from the name of Dany, examples being the River Danube, the River Donn and Denmark. In Celtic legend, it was thought that the Tuath De Dannann, the ancient Celtic warrior-race, were descended from her and her consort, Bile.
Danu's primary associations are with the processes of the agricultural cycle, as throughout Europe, Britain and Ireland, in particular Munster, she was highly revered by pre-Christain agricultural communitites as the guardian of cattle and health. Farming and land cultivation were of vital importance to those ancient Celtic people providing food and sustenance to see them through the long bleak winter.
During the ancient festival of Beltane (celebrated on 01 May), which heralded he end of the long dark winter, and gave the promise of brighter summer days ahead, fires (known as Bel-fires or Need-Fires) were lit on high ground, and livestock were herded between these fires, tradition has it, to ensure their health and fertility for the coming year. The ashes from the fires were then scattered in the fields, to ensure a bountiful harvest. These rituals would be carried out to "appease" the ancient deities, particularly Dany, the earth Mother.
In Duhallow, Danu is associated with the two hills in its South Western region, known in Irish as Dha Chioch Anann or the Paps of Danu. Agriculture has very strong associations with this region, the fertile Blackwater valley playing a vital and integral part in the lives of the inhabitants from pre-Christain times to the 21st century. Habitation of this region during the pre-Christain era is strongly evident in the many ancient ring-forts and settlements to be found in Duhallow region and many place names beginning with Lios (e.g. Lisnashearshane (near Cullen) - Lios na Seirsean - Fort of the Arches) or Rath (Rathroe (near Derrinagree) - Rath Ruagh - Red Fort). Dromtariffe (Drom Tairbh - Ridge of the Bull) is another example of an agriculturally associated place name in Duhallow, signifying the value placed on cattle in the area then, as now.
A number of Holy Wells are also evident in the Duhallow area. Pattern Days were held to honour the saints associated with each well. The City in Shrone, at the foot of the Paps, known in Irish as Cathair Crobh Dhearg is a prime example. This area was named for a local saint, St. Crobh Dearg, who has been linked by scholars in a triad with St. Laitiaran (Cullen) and St. Gobnait (Ballyvourney). Many scholars believe that sites such as this were originally ancient pagan sites of worship that were subsequently Christainised. In the pre-Christain/Celtic era, a beautiful woman-Goddess Creide (the Celtic version of St. Crobh Dearg, or a derivative of Danu, perhaps?) was associated with the same area and legend has it that she was declared by Fionn MacCumhail to be ".... the greatest flirt in Ireland"
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The North Tipp inventory records that this site is know locally as the burial site of the "Great Dane" and is part of the "Jewell of the Dane" estate.
In many parts of Ireland much of the monuments were attributed to the Danes or Vikings. Even Newgrange in Meath was know as a Danish fort.
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The name Slievenamuck (Mountain of the Pigs) is derived from the legendary slaying of a sow by Fionn Mac Cumhaill. The sow, called Beo, had devastated much of Munster. Fionn had a pair of spears forged locally and killed the sow. He then took the sow's head as a bridal gift to Cruithne the smith's daughter. On the summit of the Ridge are two Megalithic Tombs, styled "Dermot and Grainne's Beds". The legendary pair are said to have rested here in their flight from the angry Fionn.
Taken from Aherlow House Hotel Website
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According to Tipp Libraries the "water that bubbles from it, allegedly, cannot be boiled. St. Berrihert's Day is celebrated locally on the 18th February"
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"Darby's Bed, Galbally
Darby's Bed is located, like most Irish passage tombs on a hilltop site. Duntryleague Hill is the westerly extension of Slievenamuck hill.
This great Megalith is thought to be the grave of Olill Olum, one of the early Kings of Munster. The name Duntryleague is derived from Dún-Trí-Liag, meaning the fort of three pillar stones. Diarmuid and Gráinne are also said to have rested here in their flight from the angry Fionn Mac Cumhaill"
Taken from http://www.aherlow.com/html/heritage_sites.html
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Taken from the Irish Folklore Commission 1937/1938 Tipperary Reel 4 pg 85:
Buried treasure near Glenstal Castle
"It is believed that there is gold buried about a mile from Glenstal Castle. The gold is supposed to be buried with a giant. The giants grave is still to be seen"
When people went to dig for the gold water spurted out of the grave.
Another time they tried and the sound of a bull could be heard so they stopped.
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Taken from the Irish Folklore Commission 1937/1938 Tipperary Reel 4 pg 207:
The cairn about 400 yards away is called The Krall. It is about 7 feet high and about 30yards in diameter. The stones are similar to the ones in the Labba although they seem to have been brought from outside the area. The owner of the field would not let anyone take these stones.
A ring of stones can be viewed from the Krall in the townland of Reardnogymore. They were found when the bog was being cut away. The stones are standing on edge about 2 yards apart and the ring is 30 yards in diameter.
The North Tipp Inventory states that this stone-circle is no longer here.
At the other end of the Krall is an "old Quick or white-thorn bush and from this bush a path can be seen ran from that bush to the Maher-Clay moutain a distance of about an Irish mile"
This sounds like it links the Baurnadomeeny complex to the Mahurslieve. Its also interesting the direct quote is "Maher-clay Moutain".
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Taken from the Irish Folklore Commission 1937/1938 Tipperary Reel 4 pg 207:
The longstone according to this was originally part of a pair. It relates to the Diarmuid and Grainne story. Diarmuid carried this one on his back (The longstone) and Grainne carried a smaller one. Which is now gone.
Seemingly there is the print of a chain at the bottom of the remaining longstone. This was where Diarmuid used a chain to strap it on his back while carrying it.
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Megalithic explorer from Co. Tipperary in Ireland. Travelling Munster in search of adventures.
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