The Laois Cyclist: Drumcullen Cross Head and Rath

Monday, 9 May 2022

Drumcullen Cross Head and Rath

Not far from the more well known village of Kinnity in Offaly and about 1 kilometre Northwest is a place called Drumcullen.

The townland here is known as Knockbarron.

Drumcullen Church ruins lie across farmland and so may not be accessible to a casual visitor.

An attempt has previously been made to erect an information board at the site but it looks like in the intervening period it has become off limits.

A monastery was established here in the 6th century and the location is associated with a Saint Barrind, Barrfind, or Bairrfhionn.

Interestingly this Saint is also reputed to have visited the mythical West coast island of Brazil, Hy Breasil, or Hy Brazil. This island was at one time actually marked on maps and was reputedly the home of gigantic Rabbits and a Magician.

The Church ruins at Drumcullen today are probably late medieval however there is a fragment on the site from an earlier Romanesque building which suggests a stone built Church stood here as early as 900 or so years ago.

It too may have been preceded by an earlier and simpler stone structure.

Lying close to the Church ruin is a circular stone which was perhaps once the base of a Cross.

There is supposed to be an early Christian Cross slab here but I didn't see it at the time I visited and the site was somewhat overgrown.

A partially damaged High Cross on display in the nearby grounds of Kinnity Castle and pictured below is believed to have originated from here.

In close proximity and visible from the Church ruin is the classic mound shaped Anglo Norman Motte, a circular mound atop which once stood a small wooden Castle or fortified building.

Of particular interest and with a direct connection to the site at Drumcullen is the Drumcullen Cross Head which is on display in the nearby village of Rath in the Roman Catholic Church.

It was taken to Rath from Drumcullen for safekeeping and is accessible to the public for viewing.

Of further interest in the Church at Rath is the Large Bell from a Dublin foundry cast in the 1800's.

Not far from the village you may come across an unusual structure, a Chalybeate Spa.

I had no idea what this was and subsequently discovered it was a well with water that was high in salts of Iron and would once have been considered to be beneficial to health for drinking.