Killamery High Cross, Kilkenny

Killamery High Cross

 

Killamery High Cross is located in a picturesque area of County Kilkenny and while quite close to the N76 it still feels like it's remote and rural.

It's believed Killamery was first established in 632 by Saint Gobban (Góban) however today it is associated with Saint Nicholas. 

First views of Killamery are dominated by the ruins of an early 1800's Board of First Fruit Church.

Saint Nicholas is reputedly buried at the Church in the 

"lost town" of Newtown Jerpoint, an old abandoned medieval settlement not far from Jerpoint Abbey.

The High Cross at Killamery is believed to date from the late 8th or early 9th Century, one of the "Ossory" group of High Crosses. 

It is richly decorated with a flower pattern of Marigolds, Snakes devouring each other and a Monster type creature which is a bit weathered. 

Several panels have interlaced lozenge patterns on them and there is an inscription in Irish on the base of the cross but it has long since been weathered away. 

The arms of the Cross are also decorated with intricate patterns and the cap of the Cross resembles a Gabled Roof and is fully intact.

 

It's a tranquil and quiet site with several other interesting relics around it including Bullaun stones, Holed stones, an inscribed medieval carved Cross Slab and Saint Nicholas' Holy Well which has an unusual "Gabled" style covering over it.

There is also a plaque mounted on the wall into Killamery commerating those who died in the 1798 United Irishmen rebellion.

Close to Killamery are Ahenny and Kilkieran which both contain several beautiful examples of Irish High Crosses as well.

Nearby is Knockroe Passage Tomb which is the ruin of an unusual Passage Tomb in that both passages are aligned with the Sun at different times, Sunrise and Sundown on the Winter solstice. There are also some nice examples of neolithic Rock Art at Knockroe.

There are specific "Dark Green" coloured signs around here which must have been created for sites of interest in this area and they can be spotted as you travel about. 

The signs are very useful in finding your way around and navigating to sites of interest in the area. 

Killamery exudes a feeling of calmness and peace and is a nice spot to relax for a few minutes leaving behind the 21st Century for a moment or two.

All in all Killamery is quiet and tranquil, well worth a visit in its own right if you are in the area or travelling through. 

Coordinates for Killamery :

52°28'34.8"N 7°26'40.0"W

52.476328 - 7.444452

Kells Priory here :

Kells Priory

Kilree Round Tower and High Cross here :

Kilree Round Tower/High Cross

Ahenny High Crosses here :

Ahenny High Cross

 

Kilree Round Tower, High Cross and Church, Kilkenny

Kilree

Kilree in County Kilkenny is the ancient site of a monastic settlement reputedly founded by Saint Rhuidche in the 6th Century.

The name is possibly derived from either Rhuidche or from the combined Irish words for Church and King, i.e. Cill Rí, the Church of the King.

It is located not too far away from Kells Priory and is worth visiting in its own right as it is set in a nice, peaceful and tranquil area.

There are no entrance fees and it is open to visit all year round. There are no facilities here such as Café or toilets, just the site itself. Set in rural and pleasant surroundings Kilree is a world away from busier tourist attractions.

There is a Round Tower at Kilree, in Irish called a Cloigtheach,

(Bell House/House of the Bell). 

These beautiful structures were originally believed to have been buit for defensive purposes however it is generally acknowledged today that they would have been of little use as such because you would have effectively trapped yourself inside and could have been easily smoked out.

 

They were probably first and foremost a Bell Tower but also served as a point which could both be seen from and too in the distance. 

This would mean pilgrims and travellers could see them from a distance but also that an observer in the tower could see anyone approaching from far afield.

 

As monasteries could at times be busy places it is also likely that they may have served as a place for the temporary storage of valuables or manuscripts.

 

Round Towers are remarkable structures. The base layer of foundation stones is often quite shallow so the Doorways are always high above the ground. Placing the doorway higher up on the tower adds to the structural integrity and strength of the building.

 

Inside were several floors built of wood, each accessed by its own ladder and most, but not all Round Towers, have four top windows facing the Cardinal points of the compass, North, South, East and West.

 

Beside the Round Tower at Kilree are the ruins of a beautiful little medieval Church. The Church has large buttressing on one wall and some architechtural features which suggest the original building is from the early medieval period and first constructed sometime in the 11th Century.

 

Directly across from the Church and clearly seen in the adjoining fields is a 9th Century High Cross. 

It's believed that these Crosses which must have been hugely impressive in their time were erected as places where worshippers could gather and the carvings, figures and scenes on the Cross could be used as visual aids by whoever was teaching or preaching.

 

 The High Crosses of Ireland are often covered in highly decorative patterns depicting animals, beasts and biblical scenes and a host of unknown entities and mysterious creatures. It is believed that they were originally decorated with brightly coloured paints which have long since been weathered away.

At first glance a particular Cross may seem uninteresting but take the time to look a little closer at some of the more richly decorated examples and the detail and intricate stone work becomes astonishing.

There are also many exampes of plain undecorated High Crosses in Ireland and a lot of the High Crosses were carved from a single block of stone, quite a feat of early Stone Masonry.

There is a Bullaun stone in the field here somewhere although I was unaware of its presence and didn't see it on my visit. 

These stones are often associated with monastic sites and were probably used to hold water for rituals however their origins are uncertain and it's possible stones like these may first have been used as far back as the stone age Neolithic period for grinding, who knows?

On my way out I found a large Black Bull blocking my path and refusing to move so I  slowly walked close to him and quietly stared at him till he walked away, all the while ready to break a World Record for the 20 metre dash. 

I have no expertise on livestock so you'll have to deal with things like that yourself as they arise but do be careful because a Bull, even a Bull which seems placid can cause serious damage and injury in a matter of seconds. Those big guys are faster than they look.

Google Maps Coordinates  for Kilree :

7°16'03.6"W 

52.518074 - 7.267663

Killamery High Cross here :

Killamery High Cross

Kells Priory here:
 Kells Priory

Ahenny High Crosses here:

Ahenny High Cross

 

Kells Priory, Kilkenny

Kells Priory

Kells Priory is a sprawling late 12th century monastic site under the care of the OPW in County Kilkenny. Access is free and the site is open year round to visitors.

It's possible to visit Kells Priory and a grouping of early Christian sites which includes many High Crosses of the "Ossory Group" in a short journey of about 40 Kms in total (one way).

The sites which include the "Ossory" High Crosses are also free of charge to visit and include Kilree, Killamery, Ahenny and Kilkieran.

 

A journey which included visiting all sites and sightseeing can be done in a day and would include Kells Priory itself, a Round Tower and High Cross at Kilree, 6 further High Crosses, a Standing stone, Holed stones, Bullaun stones, Holy Wells, and a staggering variety of early relics and beautiful countryside, all within a "Stones throw" of each other.

 

This post in about the first stop, Kells Priory. I'll include a screenshot of a possible route and the locations and their coordinates and later I'll add some posts to cover the other sites and update links to them as well.

 

The Augustinian Priory at Kells was founded by an Anglo Norman Knight in 1193, Geoffrey FitzRobert
(de Monte Morisco).
It is an extensive and well fortified settlement with foreboding walls and towers and a protected gateway through which you enter the inner enclosure.

The enclosure with its surrounding walls and towers looks more like a large Castle bawn wall. I can only presume that the Norman's were under pressure in the area when the Priory was established because of the heavy fortifications throughout the site.

It was attacked several times throughout its history including one attack by Edward (de) Bruce, brother of Scottish Independance hero, Robert.

Edward was defeated, decapitated, dismembered and buried at Faughart Hill, Louth. He had at one stage declared himself High King of Ireland, a position that ultimately he didn't hold for long.

 

The church ruins and the many ecclesiastical buildings on the site are a real pleasure to wander around.
The Priory was "dissolved" in 1540 during the "Dissolution of the Monasteries"
under Henry (Tudor) VIII during the Reformation.

The dissolutions provided Henry with enormous wealth as the monasteries and their lands, property and valuables were confiscated and he could use the money from the sale of the former monastic lands and valuables to fund his wars and loyal nobles.

A huge repository of historic documents and manuscripts were probably destroyed forever however one legacy of the Reformation has been the wonderful ruins at Kells Priory and the saying that " a Country without ruins is a Country without history".

There is also an association with the attempt at trial for heresy of Alice Kytler in 1324 at Kilkenny. 

Alice was well connected and fled the country, while in typical fashion her unfortunate Maidservant was instead tried and burnt as a witch in her place.

The Bishop who oversaw the matter, one Richard de Ledrede visited here as he travelled to oversee the investigations into Witchery at Kilkenny.

It is reputedly the first instance of a person burned for Witchcraft in Ireland.
Kilkenny Hurlers take note.....

 Map screenshot and the coordinates for the various locations are listed at the bottom of this page and I'll post information on the other sites at a later date.

I can only add that there are few better ways to spend a day and take in so much while not an entrance Fee in sight !

Coordinates :

Kells Priory : 52°32'11.7"N 7°16'05.8"W 

52.536587 - 7.268270

Kilree Round Tower and High Cross : 52°31'05.1"N 7°16'03.6"W 

52.518074 - 7.267663

Kilree Round Tower and High Cross 

Killamery High Cross : 52°28'34.8"N 7°26'39.4"W

52.476328 - 7.444272

Killamery High Cross 

Ahenny High Crosses : 52°24'46.2"N 7°23'39.7"W

52.412825 - 7.394346

Ahenny High Cross

Kilkieran High Crosses : 52°23'54.6"N 7°22'47.0"W

52.398503 - 7.379707

*** The sites listed as "High Cross" also contain many other relics and items of historical interest.

A large area of Laois, Kilkenny and Tipperary were originally part of an area known as the 
Kingdom of Ossory.

 
Ger Dooley goes into greater detail on Ossory at the link below.

Ger Dooley - The Kingdoms of Ossory