Ardmore to Knocknaskagh

Image of Rian Bo Phadraig map 1 Ardmore to Knocknaskagh

Rian Bo Phadraig Ardmore to Knocknaskagh

By kind permission of Ardmore Enterprise Co-Operative

Image of Rian Bo Phadraig map 1 Ardmore to Knocknaskagh
By kind permission of Ardmore Enterprise Co-Operative

Image of Rian Bo Phadraig map 1 Ardmore to Knocknaskagh

Rian Bo Phadraig Ardmore to Knocknaskagh

By kind permission of Ardmore Enterprise Co-Operative

Enlarge image

1. St. Declans Catholic Church: Built 1837. On the beachis the location of a crannog man made island. Artifacts from excavation at National Museum. Old lifeboat station.

2. St. Declans Stone: Glacial erratic of conglomerate on sea shore" Noted for cure of back ache -crawl underneath. Folklore has it that Declanforgot his bell en route to Ireland and prayed for its recovery. The bell appeared atop a large stone floating on the sea; the stone landed in Ardmore and Declan thus founded his monastery here.

3. St. Declans Well: Holy well arched over by masonry with mediaeval figures. Site for annual Pattern Day -each 24th
July.

4. Cave - Old Copper Mine: In cliff below path -do not descend or enter.

5. Coastguard Station: Burnt down in Civil War (1922-23).

6. Wreck: Crane ship -
'Samson' (December 1987).

7. Look Out Stations: First and Second World Wars respectively. Older building called 'The Castle'.

8. Father O'Donnells Well. Ancient holy well surrounded by more modern masonry in 1928.

9. St. Declans Monastery: The Beannachan is a tiny church in the graveyard and is the oldest building dating to the 8th century. The cathedral was first built in the 9110th century and has been enlarged over the years. Unusual carvings on west gable depicting Judgement of Solomon, Adam & Eve and other biblical scenes. The Round Tower is 12th century and at 30 metres high is one of the tallest in Ireland.

10. Lios or Rath: A prominent circular enclosure. The banks are of earth, topped with bushes. These are raths and once contained huts where people and/or animals lived. Raths are seen extensively across the Irish countryside and were in use from c.500 AD to 1500 AD. Irish folklore tradition would call them 'fairy forts' and has it that they are the dwelling places of fairies and leprauchans, therefore not to be interfered with, lest bad luck should strike the despoiler.

11. Tobar na mBan.

12. Old church and graveyard.

13. Lios Geineain: rath beside track.

14. Tobar na Feirse: Well of the Spindle.

15. Ath na gCorra Mhiol. Ford with Stepping Stones: One stone is said to bear imprint of St.Declans feet. Ballin, St.Patricks emissary, raised to life here.

16. Old Mill in Glenlickey.

17. Souterrains: Tunnels frequently used for cold storage in the past.

17. St.Declan's Well, Toor. Water is reputed to heal eye diseases. A Pattern is held here each year on 24th July.

19. Clogh Castle: site of.
20. Fulacht Fia - ancient cooking place. Three sites.

21. Castle: site of.

22. Kilmolash Church: Ruined church of St. Molaise, incorporates several styles of architecture. Strategically located to control access near tidal limit of rivers, which were fordable at low water.

23. Affane Church: Ruins. Built in 1819 and burial place of members of Valentine Greatrakes' family (1628-1683 ), notable 'man of cures' of his time.

24. Affane Castle: site of. Featured in last private battle in Ireland between Earls of Ormond and Desmond in the 16th century.

25, Dromana Bridge. Interesting Moorish style gate with onion shaped dome as entrance to Villiers Stuart estate.

26. Tourin House and Castle: Musgrave/ Jameson family.