Our Legacy of Ancient Monuments

Introduction

 

Fenagh Dolmen, Co. Leitrim

View of Dolmen in Fenagh, Co. Leitrim

Courtesy of Con Brogan

Fenagh Dolmen, Co. Leitrim
Courtesy of Con Brogan

Fenagh Dolmen, Co. Leitrim

View of Dolmen in Fenagh, Co. Leitrim

Courtesy of Con Brogan

Enlarge image

The Irish countryside is unique in Europe in the number of upstanding ancient monuments that survive from past ages. These range from 6,000-year-old megalithic tombs to earthen ringforts, of early medieval date, to castles, churches and other buildings of more recent date. They are a wonderful link to the past and are to be found in almost every townland in the country. Often a monument has given its name to the townland and many are imbued with local history and tradition. They are important features in the cultural landscape and when a monument is destroyed part of our history and identity is destroyed with it. This valuable legacy from the past is something we should all strive to understand, cherish and protect.
The emphasis in this exhibition is on monuments likely to be found on farmland and in private ownership around the country rather than on National Monuments in state care.
(All photographs by Con Brogan, Senior Photographer, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government unless otherwise indicated. Text by Con Manning, Senior Archaeologist).

 

Dún Dúchathair, Inishmore, Co. Galway

Dún Dúchathair on Inishmore, Co. Galway has a massive drystone wall cutting off the cliff-bound promontory. The entrance was between the cliff and the wall on the left and the foundations of buildings can be seen close to the wall

Courtesy of Con Brogan

Dún Dúchathair, Inishmore, Co. Galway
Courtesy of Con Brogan

Dún Dúchathair, Inishmore, Co. Galway

Dún Dúchathair on Inishmore, Co. Galway has a massive drystone wall cutting off the cliff-bound promontory. The entrance was between the cliff and the wall on the left and the foundations of buildings can be seen close to the wall

Courtesy of Con Brogan

Enlarge image

Ás Gaeilge:

Tá tuath na hÉireann éagsúil ó gach áit eile san Eoraip maidir leis an méid séadchomharthaí seasta ársa a mhaireann ó aoiseanna atá imithe tharainn. Ina measc tá tuamaí meigiliotacha atá 6,000 bliain d’aois agus ráthanna cré a bhaineann leis na meánaoiseanna, caisleáin, séipéil agus foirgintí eile nach bhfuil chomh sean céanna. Is ceangal iontach iad leis an am a chuaigh thart agus tá siad le fáil i mbeagnach gach baile fearainn sa tír. Go minic, bíonn bailte fearainn ainmnithe as séadchomharthaí agus bíonn go leor de na séadchomharthaí fite fuaite sa stair agus sna traidisiúin áitiúla. Is gnéithe tábhachtacha iad sa tírdhreach cultúrtha agus nuair a dhéantar séadchomhartha a scrios, déantar scrios ar chuid dár stair agus dár bhféiniúlacht freisin. Is oidhreacht luachmhar iad ón am atá caite agus ní mór dúinn go léir ár ndícheall a dhéanamh iad a thuiscint, a chumhdach agus a chosaint.
Sa taispeántas seo cuirtear béim ar shéadchomharthaí atá ar thalamh feirmeacha agus ag úinéirí príobháideacha ar fud na tíre, seachas Séadchomharthaí Náisiúnta atá faoi chúram an stáit.