Killucan Wayside Cross, Westmeath

Killucan Wayside Cross

The title of this post is a bit of a misnomer as there are  actually the remains of more than a single Wayside Cross at Killucan.

I managed a brief visit to Killucan to stop and see these interesting relics in 2022 but the weather was the coldest it had been in a decade and my visit to the small Westmeath village was unfortunately, fleeting.

There are also a few other relics and interesting things to see at Killucan but the biting cold ensured I didn't hang around for long or go walkabouts in the village surrounds.

In a purpose built roadside enclosure are the shafts of three Wayside Crosses believed to date from the 16th  and 17th centuries. 

There are a couple of other pieces of worked stone lying in the enclosure but I have no idea what they are.

There is also a tall upright Bullaun Stone with a single large depression.

One Cross shaft is described as inscribed with Latin. I couldn't make out the script myself. 

On another I could however make out the words "of September" which I presume is part of a date in English.

Nearby is Saint Etchen's Church of Ireland. Interestingly it is named after a Monk who became Bishop of Clonfad and ordained Saint Colmcille (Columba).

The ruins of an earlier medieval Church are also located on the present Church grounds and a Cross Slab in relief is located in a small wall by the building.

There is a nice little GR (King George V) Wall/Postbox in the village. 

I haven't seen many of these around. Most I see are either VR (Victoria) or ER (Edward).

It's well worth taking the time to stop off though presumably on a warmer day. 

Keep the wheels turning.

Killucan Historical Antiquities

Dúchas.ie Schools Collection - Local Monuments

Saint Etchen - Omnium Sanctorum Hibernaie

Co-ordinates here :

53°30'41.9"N 7°08'42.8"W

53.511635 - 7.145219

The Borris Railway Viaduct, Carlow

BORRIS RAILWAY VIADUCT

The small village of Borris in County Carlow is a gateway to the Blackstairs mountains and my favourite cycling climb in Ireland, Mount Leinster from the Nine Stones.

It is also a hugely interesting village both in terms of layout and in architectural features with lots of lots of beautiful and interesting buildings.

Unfortunately while passing through several times I've only ever had time for a quick stop and a short wander along the wonderful Borris Railway Viaduct.

While very often old industrial and commercial heritage is lost or left to slowly rot away this particular piece of heritage has been fantastically repurposed into a lovely little Looped Walk with the Viaduct itself  as the centre piece attraction.

The sixteen arch Limestone Railway bridge has been turned into a wonderful attraction and it is well worth taking the time to stop off if you are ever in the area. 

There is a small parking area beside the Viaduct with just enough room for a few cars.

The small Loop Walk has been thoughtfully designed and a walk across the RailwayViaduct itself pays dividends with picturesque and panoramic views of the surrounding area.

As usual I found something somewhat nondescript very interesting. This was a Railway Quartermile Marker Post. I had never seen one of these before. The one at Borris is marked 74 and 3/4 mile.

Note to self - leave more time next time when passing for a few hours exploring Borris and a bite to eat.

Coordinates here : 

52°35'45.1"N 6°55'01.4"W

52.595847 - 6.917044

Welcome to the Borris Viaduct

Borris (and walking routes)

IGP Borris Railway Station

The De Profundis Stone

 The De Profundis Stone

In the County of Westmeath and not far from the town of Mullingar there lies a Stone which is claimed to be the only one of its kind in Ireland.

This is the De Profundis Stone and it is named such after a biblical Psalm.

The Psalm in question is Psalm 129 (Latin Vulgate) or alternatively Psalm 130 (King James). 

It is sometimes called a Prayer for the Dead.

Ancient Psalms were originally a type of poetry in Hebrew and were often sung. 

Todays contemporary Psalms are translations into English which we are more familiar with and which are spoken as prayers.

In a peculiar twist of faith I came across this lonely roadside lithic returning from a Funeral Mass in Mullingar. 

The Stone is located in an area known as both Whitewell and Kilbride-Veston.

There is a nearby Church ruin and Graveyard directly across the road from the De Profundis Stone and it is here the stone was originally located before being removed and placed in its present roadside position.

The De Profundis Stone is a large Coffin shaped stone. 

It is unremarkable in and of itself but for its singular claim to be the last of its type in Ireland.

 

It is believed the Stone marked the site of the nearby Graveyard and that  funerary processions would lay the Coffin with the deceased on top of the De profundis Stone and the Psalm would be recited.

A plain Cross is incised onto the top of the slab. The "one and only" claim of its uniqueness in Ireland was sufficient grounds for me to detour on my way home to visit the site when I became aware of its existence.

The stone is elevated and lying on a purpose built plinth for display purposes.

Despite the lack of any elaborate carving, a well known history or a record of touristic visits I would recommend a detour to visit the De Profundis when passing through the area if only to chance upon a more obscure and unusual Irish historical relic.

Keep the wheels turning.

De Profundis - Gregorian Chant

The De Profundis Catholic Prayer

De Profundis - Learn Religions

De Profundis Origin - Mary Geraghtry - Dúchas.ie - Schools Collection

The Nethercross, Finglas, Dublin

 The Nethercross, Finglas, Dublin

The County of Dublin is a Patchwork Quilt of villages. 

Look a little closer or dig a little deeper and you will find the evidence of village life from medieval, Viking, early Christian, Celtic and even prehistoric settlement dotted about the County.

Indeed places such as Ballyfermot, Finglas, Blackrock, Blanchardstown and Ballymun were once not huge and sprawling suburbs housing a growing population but were instead a myriad of small interconnected settlements, villages and ecclesiastical sites.

Small reminders of the past and various artefacts and antiquities are visual clues as to previous settlement and land usage throughout the County. 

Often these reminders are right in front of us and we have become so accustomed to our modern environment that we don't even see them as we pass by.

The Church of Saint Canice and the Nethercross in Finglas are one such reminder.

The Nethercross is located in the medieval Church ruins of Saint Canice in Finglas where it's believed the Saint founded a Monastery which preceded the present Church ruins located on the site.

 

The High Cross originally stood at a place nearby called Watery Lane but was buried in 1649 to save it from destruction by Cromwellian troops who had arrived in Ireland. 

It remained buried and forgotten for 160 years until a Reverend Robert Walsh determined to find it.

 

He thankfully succeeded and the High Cross is on public display in the Church Graveyard.

The name of the Cross originates from the terms Uppercross and Nethercross (Lowercross). 

These were two Baronies. Nethercross included Finglas, Ballymun and several other civil parishes in north County Dublin.

The High Cross is a large ringed imperforate granite Cross. A Cross in relief is carved onto one face and there are also spiral designs carved onto it. 

While not as elaborately carved as some other Crosses it is nonetheless quite beautiful in its understated simplicity.

It is believed that the original Abbey of Saint Canice here at Finglas was attacked several times by Vikings and had succumbed by the 9th or 10th century to ruination.

In 2004 the grave of a high status Viking woman was uncovered in Finglas village. 

A wooden box, Brooches and an antler comb were among some of the items found at the burial site. 

These are on display at the archaeological museum in Dublin.

There are several interesting family vaults and gravestones in the graveyard at Saint Canice's Church.

The Church ruin, High Cross and graveyard are kept locked. Access can be gained through calling at a nearby Cottage and asking the Keyholder for the key. 

Library Ireland - Finglas

Holinshed revisited - Old Saint Canice's Church

Saint Canice Conservation - Dublin City Council

There is a contemporary Celtic Cross memorial to Brigadier Dick McKee, an IRA volunteer who was murdered in Dublin Castle in 1920 in tit for tat reprisal for the assassinations of British agents on Bloody Sunday in Dublin, 1920.

Keep the wheels turning.