I passed Oughaval on a cycle this week. The ruined Church at Oughaval once housed the Book of Leinster for many centuries.
To find Oughaval head out of Stradbally village in Laois along the N80 and up to the Windy Gap, it is on the right hand side as you head uphill on a bend in the road and easily seen.
To find Oughaval head out of Stradbally village in Laois along the N80 and up to the Windy Gap, it is on the right hand side as you head uphill on a bend in the road and easily seen.
The Church itself is a wonderful building with crenellations which make it look quite Castle like. It dates from the 15th and 18th centuries and is on the site of a previous 6th century monastery.
The Book of Leinster originally known as Lebar na Núachongbála is a 12th century manuscript which is a compendium of history, mythology and martryology. It is now housed in Trinity College Dublin.
This area is awash with history and sites of interest so it's well worth visiting on a cycle.
