A short spin today to locate the Megalithic Tomb at Lugacurren. This tomb is either a Bronze age Cist (Kist) or part of a larger complex of several Cists which have since been destroyed. In the 1800's it was surrounded by other Cist's and several standing stones.
None of these other relics survive today which is a great shame. When I got here (about a Kilometre uphill from the junction at Lugacurren) I wandered up and down the road for quite a while looking for the tomb. It was invisible and buried deep beneath brambles and nettles.
I spent 20 minutes pulling weeds and Ivy off it. It is badly neglected and unsigned unfortunately.
Considering the scarcity of Megalithic structures in Laois I have no idea why it isn't looked after and signposted. This structure may well be over 4000 years old.
My cycle also took in Kilmurray just behind Chicken Byrne hill where I came across a 16th Century Church ruin in someone's garden, very unusual.
Coming from Kilmurray towards the Heath I came across a Bullaun stone at the roadside by the entrance to a house. This particular stone was covered in moss and Ivy which I cleared away to get a photograph. A huge stone, it looked quite heavy and was an interesting find. I don't know of its history in the area or what it was used for.
I later passed Rathdaire Church (Church of the Ascension) which was built as a memorial Church by Cornelia Adair for "Black Jack" John George Adair, a most unloved character to say the least. This Church is described as Hiberno Romanesque and was built in 1883.
The detail in the doorway is outstanding.
It looks like a mixture of Scandanavian Urnes and Celtic La Téne at the Doorway and Arch.
The detail in the doorway is outstanding.
It looks like a mixture of Scandanavian Urnes and Celtic La Téne at the Doorway and Arch.
Adair built Glenveagh Castle in Donegal and by all accounts seems to have been the most hated man in that County for the forced evictions of his tenants. Mind you, he seems to have been a controversial figure wherever he went although it's difficult to cast an unbiased judgement on a historical figure from the past. His legacy here in Laois is the stunning little Church in Rathdaire.
A memorial stone for him in Donegal was destroyed and at Ballybrittas Laois, close to the Church, Belgrove House, an Adair family residence (built between 1835/40) was burned to the ground in 1887.
Keep the wheels turning....