Clonaslee
Clonaslee is a small midlands village midway between Rosenallis in Laois and Cadamstown in Offaly. I usually cycle through Clonaslee when I'm either going up or coming down the Cut in the Slieve Bloom mountains. It's located on the R422. It is also a gateway village to the mountains.
The area was originally called Kilmanman and off to the side of Saint Manmans Catholic Church in the village are a pair of 7th Century Cross Slabs which came from the ruins of nearby Kilmanman Church.
The slabs aren't in great shape but are now protected from the elements in a pretty enclosure made from Clonaslee Stone. It's worth a quick stop if passing. They are in the Church grounds on the right hand side.
In the heart of the village is the Clonaslee Heritage Centre, originally a Church of Ireland building. Inside the grounds are a Famine Pot from 1847 and some nicely designed Box hedging.The centre has leaflets and information on the area (if open).
Nearby are the ruins of both Kilmanman Church and Rearymore Church. Rearymore is signposted on the R422 well before you reach Clonaslee if coming from the Mountmellick direction. There isn't much left of the ruins at Rearymore. To find Kilmanman head towards Kinnity on the R422 and after about 1 Km from Clonaslee take a right turn. You will see Kilmanman on your right after another Kilometre on this side road.
Kilmanman contains the ruins of a medieval Church and is named after Saint Manman who it is believed founded a 7th Century Monastery on the site. It is a Picture Postcard location and very tranquil. Kilmanman is well worth taking the time for a short detour to visit the ruins.
Pictured above is Rearymore. Three fine examples of early Christian Cross Slabs were recovered here and are now housed inside Saint Brigid's Catholic Church in Rosenallis where they can be viewed.
I've Mountain Biked across the hills here and came across the Giants Grave. Sadly this Megalithic structure has been leveled to the ground over the years by plunderers hoping to find gold or treasure. All that remains now are the stones lying about the ground.
Brittas lake nearby is signposted in the village just beside the bridge over the river. There are a multitude of riverside walks along the Clodiagh River and the surrounding waymarked forest trails. It's nice area for Gravel Cross or Mountain Biking.
The track to Brittas Lake is very rutted and there's some gravel. Robust wheels recommended if using a road bike.
The ruins of Brittas Castle are located close to Brittas lake. It is being refurbished by private owners at present (2019).
It was originally built for Major-General Francis Plunkett Dunne in 1869 but was destroyed in a fire sometime in 1942.
Dunne is the Anglicised form of O'Duinn and the O'Duinn clan had an association to the area for many Centuries and probably for a long time preceding the first Anglo Norman incursions into Ireland.
Under a scheme known as "Surrender and Regrant" the O'Duinns became the Dunnes and held onto their property and lands.
Clonaslee is a nice place to cycle around on a summers day with plenty of history along the way.
Below are a few Photographs from inside Clonaslee heritage Centre.
