Friday 15 July 2022

Knocktopher, Kilkenny

Knocktopher

Knocktopher, in Irish Cnoc an Tóchair, meaning the Hill of the Causeway, is a small village in County Kilkenny.

I didn't mean to end up travelling through the village but I'm glad I did. There's quite a few things to see in the village and nearby too.

The first thing of note nearby is the Ballyboodan (Kilcurl) Ogham Stone.

Ogham stones come in all shapes and sizes although this one is unusual for its large size and almost geometrically precise rectangular shape.

The Ogham alphabet is a 20 letter old Irish alphabet consisting of groups of linear slash marks also known as the Tree alphabet.

It is believed to have originated c. 350 or thereabouts. It is about 2 Kilometres southwest of Knocktopher and well worth taking a detour to see.

In the village itself Knocktopher Abbey is not in actual fact an Abbey but a mid 1800's house built alongside part of an existing Castle and converted to Lodges. Accommodation can be rented here. I had at first glance mistaken it for an actual Abbey.

I hadn't intended to visit Knocktopher but I passed through as I was heading for nearby Aghaviller ruins and the Round Tower pictured below. It is located roughly 6 Kms away from Knocktopher.

A Mass Rock which is a relic from the days of the Penal Laws in Ireland is to be found located mounted on a plinth in at the grounds of the Roman Catholic/Carmelite Friary in the village.

The Penal Laws were punitive measuress designed to restrict open worship of the Catholic faith and facilitate conversions. I believe the Carmelites had to leave the area c. 2017 due to diminishing numbers in the Order.

There is an interesting looking 1800's Board of First Fruit Church in the village as well but the gates were locked when I visited.

The beautiful west Tower of a 12th century Church is also located in the village. The main Church structure appears to have been demolished in the 1800's according to an on site information board and the Tower is all that remains of the early Church.

There is a delightful Romanesque style doorway into the Tower. Inside is an effigy slab of a male and female figure believed to date to the 15th century.

Dotted about the graveyard are several Armorial plaques and lots of points of interest. I was pleasantly surprised by all the things to see here.

Also in the Tower but locked safely behind gates are several fragmentary remains, a Cross, a possible Wayside Cross or Cross slab/Grave marker and some carved figures, all quite interesting.

All in all I was delighted to have accidentally stumbled into Knocktopher. It is a little hidden Gem in Kilkenny.

There's lots to see here and a wander around the Graveyard is to be recommended. Earlier fragmentary remains from the Church are dotted here and there and all is contained in a small compact and easily accessible area.