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 :
Google Maps Coordinates for Kilree :
7°16'03.6"W
52.518074 - 7.267663
Killamery High Cross here :
Ahenny High Crosses here: