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Clonamery Church
An early stone church at Clonamery, Co. Kilkenny
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Early Monastic Churches, Early Monastic Churches, Early Monastic Churches
Clonamery Church -
Dún Aengus fortification
An image of the ruins of Dún Aengus on the Aran Islands
Image is present on following page(s): Early Stone Fortifications, Early Stone Fortifications
Dún Aengus fortification -
Cormac's Chapel
Cormac's Chapel in Cashel, Co. Tipperary is a small, solid, stone roofed chapel. Built between 1127 and 1134, it is considered to be the finest example of Hiberno-Romanesque architecture in Ireland.
Image is present on following page(s): Romanesque Churches, Romanesque Churches, Romanesque Churches
Cormac's Chapel -
Fahan Mura Standing Slab
Fahan Mura is an early Christian cross-slab at Fahan, Co. Donegal. It is located within the walled graveyard of a 6th century monastery.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): High Crosses, High Crosses, High Crosses
Fahan Mura Standing Slab -
Athenry Castle
Athenry Castle in Co. Galway was built around 1250. The Castle consists of a towering Keep surrounded by a curtain wall with three towers, one rectangular and two round. The entrance is at the first-floor level.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Norman Castles, Norman Castles
Athenry Castle -
Kildare Round Tower
Kildare Round Tower is located in the grounds of St. Brigid's Cathedral. The tower is built atop Kildare Hill, the highest point in the town. The raised doorway, some 4 meters off the ground, is surrounded by ornate Hiberno-Romanesque stonework. The conical roof was originally destroyed and was replaced by a parapet to facilitate viewing and complement the Cathedral's architecture.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Round Towers, Round Towers, Round Towers
Kildare Round Tower -
Kells Cross
The Market Cross in Kells, Co. Meath is a high cross consisting of two pieces - a cross-shaft and base. The cross shaft dates to between 900 and 1000, and an inscription states that the cross was re-erected in 1688. The cross now stands outside the Kells Heritage Centre.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): High Crosses, High Crosses, High Crosses
Kells Cross -
Hill of Tara
The Hill of Tara, in County Meath, has been a sacred place since ancient times. The earliest feature is a Neolithic passage grave (visible on the left), dating from about 2800 BC. The two circular earthworks in the centre of the mound are ring forts. Up to about AD 560, the hill was the seat of the kings of Ireland.
Copyright Shamrock Designs 1999-2002.
Image is present on following page(s): Prehistoric Earthworks, Prehistoric Earthworks
Hill of Tara -
Jerpoint Abbey
Jerpoint Abbey in Co. Kilkenny was founded in the second half of the 12th century. The tower and cloister date from the 15th century.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Abbeys and Friaries, Abbeys and Friaries, Abbeys and Friaries
Jerpoint Abbey -
Ogam Writing in Cork
Ogam writing is an ancient form of script which was used in the 3rd, 4th and 5th centuries. It was found on tall standing pillar stones dotted around the country, and is seen to be a series of lines and etches scratched into the side corner of the tall stones. The script came to be recognised after it had been referred to in various manuscripts, most notably in the Tain Bó Chuailgne, a piece of literature which was found in the ancient manuscript, the Book of Leinster. Ogam stones were usually found over graves or tombs of great men. They are also believed to have been used as territorial boundary markers, in case of disputes arising. This particular stone is inscribed with the name, Fiachra, son of Glunlegget and was found at Monataggart in Co. Cork. Ref: pg 154, Wakeman’s Handbook of Irish Antiquities 3rd Edition by John Cooke M.A., Dublin: Hodges, Figgis, & Co., Ltd. London: John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1903.
Image is present on following page(s): The Earthen Rath or Lios, The Earthen Rath or Lios
Ogam Writing in Cork -
Labbacallee wedge-shaped tomb
Labbacallee wedge tomb (Leaba Caillighe in Irish, meaning The Hag's Bed) is a large prehistoric burial monument, located 8km north of Fermoy in Co. Cork. Labbacallee is thought to have been built during the early Bronze Age, circa 1500 BC. The site is one of the largest Irish examples of a wedge tomb.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Late Stone Age Megalithic Tombs, Late Stone Age Megalithic Tombs
Labbacallee wedge-shaped tomb -
Kilkenny Castle
In 1661, Kilkenny Castle was remodelled as a "modern" château by the Duke of Ormonde after his return from exile. A new entrance gateway in the south wall was built around this time.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Early Mansions, Early Mansions
Kilkenny Castle -
Knocknarea
Knocknarea, County Sligo, with Carrowmore megalithic cemetery in the foreground and Queen Maedhbh's cairn on the summit.
Copyright Sligo County Library.
Image is present on following page(s): Late Stone Age Megalithic Tombs, Late Stone Age Megalithic Tombs
Knocknarea -
Saint Macdara's church
St. Macdara's church is a small rectangular structure built of very large stones. It has a flat-headed doorway and a round-headed east window. The most unusual feature of this church is that the antae continue right up the gable and meet at the top, thus suggesting that this is a feature copied from wooden churches.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Early Monastic Churches, Early Monastic Churches, Early Monastic Churches
Saint Macdara's church -
Loughrea Friary
Founded probably in the 13th century for the Carmelites by Richard de Burgo. The church consists of a nave, chancel, tower, south transept and a small south chapel near the west end of the nave. The chancel (not accessible) has a number of 13th century lancet windows in the south wall, and a 15th century window in the east wall. The tower was added in the 15th century.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Abbeys and Friaries, Abbeys and Friaries, Abbeys and Friaries
Loughrea Friary -
Parke's Castle
Parke's Castle in Co. Leitrim is a restored plantation castle of the early 17th century, situated on the shores of Lough Gill. The Courtyard grounds contain evidence of an earlier 16th century Tower House structure.
Leitrim County Library
Image is present on following page(s): Ulster Plantation Architecture, Ulster Plantation Architecture, Ulster Plantation Architecture
Parke's Castle -
Legananny dolmen
The Legananny Dolmen is a three-legged example from the megalithic period of about 5,000 years ago and is the portal grave of a chieftain. The heavy stones would have been dragged some distance before being set in place. The three supporting stones are unusally long and there are slight traces of a cairn as well.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Late Stone Age Megalithic Tombs, Late Stone Age Megalithic Tombs
Legananny dolmen -
Leamanagh Castle
Leamanagh Castle in Co. Clare was built in the 17th century, and is four stories high with rows of large windows.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Early Mansions, Early Mansions
Leamanagh Castle -
Rathfarnham Castle
The foundations of Rathfarnham Castle on Dublin's southside date back to the sixteenth century. It was built by Adam Loftus, a Yorkshireman. The castle was purchased by the government in 1987 and was declared a National Monument. It is now in the care of the Office of Public Works and open to the general public.
© South Dublin Libraries.
Image is present on following page(s): Early Mansions, Early Mansions
Rathfarnham Castle -
Oratory of Gallarus
The Oratoty of Gallarus on the Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry was built over a thousand years ago and is the best preserved early Christian oratory in Ireland. It is built with the stones being laid at a slight angle, lower on the outside than on the inside, allowing rainwater to run off. This design has kept the interior relatively dry, despite the lack of mortaring, allowing the building to stay in excellent condition.
Image is present on following page(s): Early Monastic Churches, Early Monastic Churches, Early Monastic Churches
Oratory of Gallarus -
Quin Abbey
Quin Abbey in Co. Clare was built in the 15th Century in the tradition of Irish Franciscan friaries. It is built on the ruins of a Norman castle fortress from the 13th Century.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Abbeys and Friaries, Abbeys and Friaries, Abbeys and Friaries
Quin Abbey -
St Aidan's Cross, Ardamine
A rough plain Latin cross, less than one metre high, marking the southern boundary of Ardamine parish, may date to the 12th century, Ranson 102. Moore states it is probably 17th century, 133. It has always been known as St Aidan’s cross.
Courtesy of Wexford County Library
Image is present on following page(s): Heritage of Riverchapel
St Aidan's Cross, Ardamine -
Teach Molaise church
An image of Teach molaise church on the island of Inishmurray
Image is present on following page(s): Early Monastic Churches, Early Monastic Churches, Early Monastic Churches
Teach Molaise church -
St. Canice's Cathedral
St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny contains some of the finest 16th century monuments in Ireland. The memorials stretch right across the social spectrum from the great figures of the house of Ormonde to the humble shoemaker and carpenter.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Cathedrals and Parish Churches, Cathedrals and Parish Churches, Cathedrals and Parish Churches
St. Canice's Cathedral -
Skellig Michael
Sceilg Mhichíl, also known as Skellig Michael, is situated on a remote island about 12km off the coast of Ballinskelligs in Co. Kerry. This monastery is over a thousand years old. This illustration of the monastic cells show their small stone huts also known as beehive huts where the monks lived and prayed.
Courtesy of Notes on Irish Architecture 1875.
Image is present on following page(s): Early Monastic Churches, Early Monastic Churches, Early Monastic Churches
Skellig Michael -
St Patricks Cathedral
It is believed that St Patrick's Cathedral dates back to the days when the Danes controlled the city of Dublin. This building was only a parochial church until the 13th century when it was upgraded to a Cathedral. The church has gone through a lot of damage through the years including it being almost destroyed by Oliver Cromwell. Legend has it that St Patrick baptised converts to the Christian religion at an old well near where the Cathedral was built. Today there is a river still flowing under the Cathedral.
Copyright managed by the Library Council
Image is present on following page(s): Cathedrals and Parish Churches, Cathedrals and Parish Churches, Cathedrals and Parish Churches
St Patricks Cathedral -
Trim Castle, Co. Meath
Trim Castle, the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, was constructed over a thirty year period by Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter. Hugh de Lacy was granted the Liberty of Meath by King Henry II in 1176 in an attempt to curb the expansionist policies of Richard de Clare, {Strongbow}. Construction of the massive three storied Keep, the central stronghold of the castle, was begun c.1176 on the site of an earlier wooden fortress. This massive twenty-sided tower, which is cruciform in shape, was protected by a ditch, curtain wall and moat.
By permission of Meath County Library.
Image is present on following page(s): Norman Castles, Norman Castles
Trim Castle, Co. Meath -
Trinity Church, Glendalough
Trinity Church, one of the seven churches of Glendalough, Co. Wicklow is located outside the monastic city walls. It is an excellent example of an early Irish stone church or Daimliag. It dates from the eleventh century, and was probably built on the site of an earlier wooden church.
Image is present on following page(s): Early Monastic Churches, Early Monastic Churches, Early Monastic Churches
Trinity Church, Glendalough -
Staigue Fort
This is one of the best examples of a cashel even though there are many larger ones to be found around the country. It is called Staigue Fort and it is situated in Co. Kerry. The walls of the fort are 18 feet high in some places. What is most notable about this cashel is the double series of zig-zag steps up along the inside walls of the fort. Such forts were used to defend the inhabitants from oncoming attack.
Image is present on following page(s): Early Stone Fortifications, Early Stone Fortifications
Staigue Fort -
Strade Abbey
An example of altar figures at Strade Abbey, Co. Mayo
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Cathedrals and Parish Churches, Cathedrals and Parish Churches, Cathedrals and Parish Churches
Strade Abbey -
Rothe House
Built by wealthy merchant John Rothe 1594, this house is typical of the type of home a comfortably off family of the time would have enjoyed. It is in fact three houses, linked by internal courtyards. Now owned by Kilkenny Archaeological Society, the houses have been meticulously restored and incorporate an interesting museum with many displays relating to the local area as well as an excellent clothing exhibition. The building is also the headquarters of the Heritage Council of Ireland.
Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government
Image is present on following page(s): Early Mansions, Early Mansions
Rothe House -
Ardamine Church
Ardamine Church of Ireland church, dedicated to St John the Evangelist, was built in 1862 as a memorial to the Richards family.
Courtesy of Wexford County Library
Image is present on following page(s): Heritage of Riverchapel
Ardamine Church