Saint Mullins in South Carlow is set in a hauntingly beautiful location. It is the site of a 7th Century Monastery founded by Saint Moling.
Probably one of the more picturesque locations in Ireland it’s often overlooked or bypassed by visitors. On site the former Church of Ireland built in the 1800’s acts as a Visitor Centre.
Saint Mullins sits beside the River Barrow and there is a large Anglo Norman Motte and Bailey beside it which once would have housed a wooden Castle and associated enclosure.
Today there are the ruins of a later Abbey and several ecclesiastical buildings standing on the site along with the remains of a Round Tower and a 9th Century High Cross.
This area is incomparably beautiful and of important historical significance. Forget Glendalough and Clonmacnoise, Saint Mullins beats them hands down for Beauty and Tranquility.
Saint Moling was appointed Bishop of Ferns in Wexford sometime in the late 7th Century but is reputedly buried here. There is a beautiful Well here, Saint Moling’s Well, which is still in use and much venerated. The nearby watercourse is reputed to have been dug by hand by Moling himself and taken 7 years to complete.
Many of the 1798 United Irishmen are interred here alongside General Thomas Cloney.
Art McMurrough, the formidable King of Leinster who ruled for almost 50 years is also buried in Saint Mullins. He died in 1417 probably poisoned, no doubt, by his enemies frustrated at never bettering him in battle.
Temple na Boe is a small ruin a few hundred yards from the site which is said to have been built in thanksgiving for Saint Moling’s role in ending unfair taxation, the Boromean Tribute, which was a tax paid in cattle.
The number of ancient buildings and antiquities at Saint Mullins is staggering considering it is all contained within a relatively small area.
There is a Car park opposite the Well and I would describe Saint Mullins as a “must visit” destination if in the area.
It’s not far from Graiguenamanagh which is also in Carlow. My Photographs taken on a cloudy day don’t do justice to the site.
There is an interesting video here :
There's lots to see and experience here. It's a beautiful location.
