Mount Sandford Castle

Mount Sandford Castle, also known as Sandford Castle, is a very well hidden historic castle seen only by those studying the surrounding woods of the peaceful village of Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny. The castle itself takes a bit of walking to get to but the serene walk through the woods is well recommended. To see the castle from the village you will have to navigate your way along the little walkway under the right-hand side of the bridge in the center of the village and peer into the high surrounding woods as fig.1 and fig.2 shows.

“This folly probably dates from the late 18th Century. It consists of a fanciful rubble Gothic castle. It is situated on the riverside drive just south of the main demesne. The site affords views over the river Nore and valley and the Inistioge Bridge.” – [www.askaboutireland.ie]

Click here to view the full post which includes directions, more information and more images.

How to get there:

To get up to the castle will take a small amount of footwork but it is certainly recommended for the views alone.

To get there you will have to use the road located beside O’Donnells pub in the main square of the village. You will meet a sign recommending that you don’t use the road by way of vehicle but during the summer months it certainly should be okay for driving. You will come to a small clearing with picnic benches, a great view of the river and a great place to park your car. There will be a small entrance into the woods and you can use this to access the trail to the castle.

On the main trail there will be two ways you can access the castle trail – the short way and the long way! When you approach the Y turn in the trail as in fig.3, you can either keep going on the main trail or turn right onto the smaller trail upwards and use this to access the castle the short way. If you choose the long way you will get fantastic views of the river and many fallen trees from the river bank. After about ten-fifteen minutes walking you will come to a trail leading off to the right, you can use this trail to bring you back around to the castle.

Depending on which trail you choose you will come across either entrances as captured in fig.4 and fig.5 and this will indicate you are in the castle grounds. The castle will be about four-five mins away from either entrance. Mount Sandford Castle on Google Maps – Visit.

Fig.1

Fig.2

Fig.3

Fig.4

Fig.5

Views from the castle:

The view from the castle are amazing – offering fabulous panoramic views of the village of Inistioge.

Mount Sandford Castle View

Mount Sandford Castle View

Mount Sandford Castle View

Castle and surrounding area images:

Mount Sandford Castle

Mount Sandford Castle

Mount Sandford Castle

Mount Sandford Castle

All images copyright protected – www.jmcdermott.ie

Killamery Church

St. Goban Find is reputed to have been the founder of the original monastery here. Not far from the modern ruined church stands the fine High Cross which has been dated to the 9th century. Both cross and base are richly ornamented with a variety of geometric motifs. The west face of the cross has a stag-hunting scene, a chariot-procession and panels possibly representing the Lord Sanctifying the Seventh Day, and Adam and Eve after expulsion from Paradise. The east face is largely decorated with serpents and marigolds. At the end of the north arm of the cross are four scenes arranged in a square, probably illustrating the life of St. John the Baptist, while the south arm has Noah’s Ark. On the west side of the expanded butt of the cross is an inscription doubtfully read as OR DO MAELSECHNAILL ( a prayer of Maelsechnaill) – perhaps the High King (846-862). the cross had a capstone which was used locally as a cure for headaches!. – [Credit: www.goireland.com]

Killamery High Cross

Situated in an old graveyard in Kilkenny is the High Cross of Killamery one of the western Ossory group of crosses. The cross stands at 3.65 metres high and the west face of the cross bears most of the figure sculpture. The east face pictured right, is decorated with three marigolds on the shaft and has a boss in the centre of the head surrounded by intertwining serpents with an open mouthed dragon above the boss. The cross is known as the Snake-Dragon cross. The cross has a gabled cap-stone and the narrow sides have double mouldings. At the end of the southern arm of the cross there is a panel depicting Noah in the Ark and the end of the northern arm features four scenes centered around John the Baptist. There is also a worn inscription on the base of the western side of the cross which is said to read as ‘OR DO MAELSECHNAILL’ a prayer for Maelsechnaill. Maelsechnaill was the High King of Ireland from 846 to 862.

The western face has a Sun Swastika at the centre and has figure sculpture around the whorl, to the left is a hunting scene and to the right a chariot scene above the whorl is scene showing a figure holding a Baby with another figure to the right of them, below the sun disc is a crucifixion scene. The shaft of this face bears two ornate panels. The top one is a fret pattern and the lower panel is a key pattern. – [Credit: www.megalithicireland.com]

Find Killamery Church and High Cross on Google Maps here.

Looking for some more information on Killamery Church and High Cross?
Have a look at some of these useful links:

• www.goireland.com
• www.megalithomania.com

** All images property of www.jmcdermott.ie **

Tullaherin Monastic Site

“Located about 15 kilometres south of Kilkenny near Bennetsbridge is Tullaherin Church and Round Tower.
This is a 9th Century well preserved six storey round tower, the top storey originally had eight windows. Tullaherin is the site of continuous religious worship for well over a thousand years.

It is claimed by many as the burial site of Saint Kieran and the fine round tower is visible from many miles away.

Features to note are: the regular layers of finely chiseled blocks of stone, the elevated entrance door, the small square-headed windows lighting each storey and the top storey (now partly eroded) which originally had eight windows – a feature Tullaherin Round Tower shares with that of Clonmacnoise. The whole tower leans slightly to the South.

The adjoining church dates from the 11-13th century with additions to the East from the 16th century. There are two ogham stones near the tower: a fragment discovered in 1852 and an almost complete example discovered in 1983. Tullaherin Folk Museum is housed in the nearby old parochial residence. Established by Duchas – Tullaherin Heritage Society – in 1981, it contains many interesting household and farm items which were in everyday use in the locality in days gone by.” - [excerpt from lookaroundireland.com: Link]

Find Kilree Monastic Site on Google Maps here.

Looking for some more information on Kilree Monastic Site?
Have a look at some of these useful links:

• www.lookaroundireland.com
• www.megalithomania.com

** All images property of www.photography-ireland.com **

Kells Priory

“Kells Priory is one of the largest and most impressive medieval monuments in Ireland.

The Augustine priory is situated alongside King’s River beside the village of Kells, about 15 km south of the medieval city of Kilkenny. The priory is a National Monument and is in the guardianship of the Office of Public Works.

One of its most striking feature is a collection of medieval tower houses spaced at intervals along and within walls which enclose a site of just over 3 acres (12,000 m²). These give the priory the appearance more of a fortress than of a place of worship and from them comes its local name of “Seven Castles”

Kells Priory was founded by Geoffrey FitzRobert in 1193. FitzRobert was brother-in-law to Strongbow and the priory succeeded an earlier church which was dedicated to St. Mary, the Blessed Virgin and served as parish church to nearby Kells village.

During its first century and a half the priory was attacked and burned on three occasions, firstly by Lord William de Bermingham in 1252, by the Scots army of Edward Bruce on Palm Sunday 1326, and by a second William de Bermingham in 1327. It seems likely then that the walls and fortifications date back to this period of unrest.

In 1324 the Bishop of Ossory Richard de Ledrede paid a lenten visit to the priory. Following an inquisition into a Kilkenny sect of heretics, Alice Kyteler and William Outlawe were ordered to appear before the Bishop to answer charges of witchcraft. Outlaw was supported by Arnold de Paor, Lord of Kells who arrested the Bishop and had him imprisoned in Kilkenny Castle for 17 days. This caused great scandal and on his release the Bishop successfully prosecuted the heretics. Alice Kyteler fled to England and remained there, Alice Smith also fled, but her mother Petronilla de Meath became Ireland’s first heretic to be burned at the stake.

Dissolution of Kells Priory finally took place in March 1540 and the church and property were surrendered to James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormonde.”

- [Excerpt from Wikipedia: Link]

Find Kells Priory on Google Maps here.

Looking for some more information on Kells Priory?
Have a look at some of these useful links:

• www.wikipedia.org
• www.kells.frantzen.de
• www.discoverireland.com

** All images property of www.photography-ireland.com **

Kilree Round Tower

“South of Kilkenny City and close to the town of Kells, stands Kilree High Cross and Round Tower which is believed to age from the 9th century. A badly weathered sandstone cross standing at 2.75 metres high, most of which is covered with bosses and geometrical motifs. The East face bears a hunting scene on the arms. The ends of the South arm have some figure sculpture but these are difficult to interpret. On the West face is probably an Adoration of the Magi and maybe Daniel in the Lions den. There is a tenon joint still visible so more than likely the cross was fitted with a capstone.

This old monastic site is in the middle of a cow field with the cross standing at the far end of the Field. The most dominant feature of this site is the round tower.

This is a capless, battlemented tower that is 20 metres high. The doorway is relatively low to the present cemetery ground level. The squared plinth-like foundation is unusual: the only other tower with a similar base being at nearby Aghaviller. The tower doorway faces the ruin of an early church with pronounced antae, though nothing appears to be known of the monastery here. The church and lands were transferred to the Priory of Kells in the 13th century. Until then, they had been the property of the dean and chapter of the Ossory. The cemetery itself is heavily wooded, giving it a hushed, surrealistic and almost haunted feel to it. The site is close Kells Priory which is one of the largest and most impressive medieval monuments in Ireland.

From Kilkenny take the N10 South to Stoneyford, here take right turn for Kells, at Kells keep left, after two kilometres you should see the round tower in a field to your right, the cross stands 150 metres behind the Tower.” - [excerpt from lookaroundireland.com: Link]

Find Kilree Monastic Site on Google Maps here.

Looking for some more information on Kilree Monastic Site?
Have a look at some of these useful links:

• www.lookaroundireland.com
• www.megalithicireland.com
• www.goireland.com
• www.roundtowers.org

** All images property of www.photography-ireland.com **

Aghaviller Monastic Site

“Aghaviller – from Áth an Biolair (Ford of the Water-cress)

Three monuments, a Round Tower, a church and a holy well, mark the site of this ancient monastic foundation. Only the lower part of the Round Tower – the monastery’s bell tower – survives. The original, round-arched doorway, is placed high above ground level to make the structure more stable. A lintelled doorway has been broken into the bottom of the tower in more recent times. The tower has a square base, an unusual feature, which is only paralleled at nearby Kilree.

The rectangular church dates from at least the 12th century, but it was modified in the 13th century, and in the late 15th century a massive tower was erected over its chancel (the section of the church where the altar was sighted).

The room above the chancel is reached by a long flight of steps and has a fine fireplace. Only foundations survive of the main section of the church or nave where the congregation stood.

The monastery was dedicated to St. Breainn; a holy well nearby is known as Tobar Bhréanainn – St. Brenainn’s Well.” – Dúchas (The Heritage Service)

Find Aghaviller Monastic Site on Google Maps here.

Looking for some more information on Aghaviller Monastic Site?
Have a look at some of these useful links:

• www.roundtowers.org/aghaviller

** All images property of www.photography-ireland.com **

• Stars of our Bars 2010 winner – Tom Kirwan.
• Venue: Pegasus, John St. Kilkenny

Video credit: Kilian Kane

Source: www.kilkennyroots.com

Source: www.kilkennyroots.com

JOSH RITTER, THE DUKE AND THE KING, JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, JASON & The SCORCHERS, CHRIS SMITHER, HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN, BAND OF HEATHENS, PETE MOLINARI, DEX ROMWEBER DUO, JOE PUG, UNCLE MONK, CAITLIN ROSE, JAMES VINCENT McMORROW, plus over 50 free gigs on Smithwicks Music Trail!

Friday April 30th – Monday May 3rd, 2010

This year Smithwick’s is celebrating 300 years of brewing craft and tradition in Kilkenny.  Founded by John Smithwick in 1710 he chose the site of an ancient monastery, St Francis Abbey in Kilkenny, to position his brewery.  Due to this heritage and Smithwick’s reaching this momentous occasion we are delighted that the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival will be celebrated with the Smithwick’s brand being the principal sponsor at the festival.

Click here to view the rest of this post. It includes more photography, videos , information and more…

Website: www.kilkennyroots.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com

MySpace: www.myspace.com

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Booking:
Rollercoaster Records, Kieran Street, Kilkenny. Email: rollercoasterkilkenny@yahoo.ie
Tel from Ireland 0567763669, International 00353567763669

All other enquiries to info@kilkennyroots.com

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“By now a national institution and an international buzz-phrase among the Americana / Roots movement…Ireland’s most compact and hospitable music festival, where virtually everything is low-key but high grade”
Irish Times.

“For the last ten years Kilkenny has played host to many of the best roots-rock, alt-country and Americana acts at the magnificent Rhythm and Roots Festival.”
Irish Examiner.

“The premier alt country and folk-roots festival in this country.”
Hot Press.

“Like a mini-SXSW without the queuing or taxi-panic.”
Maverick Magazine

Source: www.kilkennyroots.com

Source: www.kilkennyroots.com

Source: www.kilkennyroots.com

Youtube video credit: willietheone

]]> http://www.onlinekilkenny.com/index.php/2010/03/smithwicks-rhythm-roots-festival-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.onlinekilkenny.com/index.php/2010/03/national-tree-week-castlecomer-discovery-park/ http://www.onlinekilkenny.com/index.php/2010/03/national-tree-week-castlecomer-discovery-park/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:33:26 +0000 Nigel http://www.onlinekilkenny.com/?p=1162

During national tree week 2010, why not visit Castlecomer discovery park and woodlands. The woodlands consist of 30 hectares set on the banks of the river Deen.

The woodlands contain two fishing lakes and some 6km of paths for you to walk.

Sculptures that were created on site in September 1999 can be found along the walk .

You will also find plenty of places to stop for a picnic, many tables are located throughout the park and are kept in good services.

You can visit the woodlands all year around.

Nigel

www.studio63.ie

www.studio63.wordpress.com