Killeshin Romanesque Church, Mass Rock, Motte and Waterworks - Laois/Carlow

 Killeshin Romanesque Church

Killeshin Romanesque Church is just one of several points at interest at Killeshin in Laois. 

The area is just a few Kilometres from the nearby town of Carlow which lies a proverbial Stones throw across the county border.

The Church was probably constructed during the 12th century and its present west Gable, partial walls and beautiful Romanesque doorway have survived the intervening years and are in a very reasonable condition today.

While some parts of the remining structure are of a later date it is also reputed that a Church was originally constructed on the site sometime earlier during the 5th or 6th century by 

Saint Comghán.

There is a wealth of interesting detail to be observed in the carvings including human representations, animals, various types of flower and foliage and beautiful interlace and knotwork.

Also carved on the archway is some Irish Script which can be easily made out and the words Orait do Diarmait Ri Lagan, translated as "a prayer for Diarmait, King of Leinster". 

This is presumed to be Dermot MacMurrow, the infamous 12th century King of Leinster who is often blamed for the Norman conquest of Ireland under the Plantaganet King Henry II and Earl Richard de Clare, better known as Strongbow.

The Stonemasons who carved these wonderful relics were extremely talented people and its unlikely we will ever see such construction happen again in our lifetime despite the wealth of artisanal talent that abounds.

Detailed stone carving and its associated artistry is expensive and low on the bottom of things listed for the use of public expenditure I should imagine. 

All the more reason to get out and about and see these ancient carvings in their present situations.

The area was at one time in history called Glenn Ussen or Gleann Uisean. 

The present name Killeshin translates as the Church of Uisean. I am unsure as to whether Ussen/Uisean is a precursor to the Irish name Oisín, that's one for another day.

A Roundtower was located near the Church but is believed destroyed sometime in the early 1700's. 

A large plain granite Font is located just outside the Church. Its origins and date are uncertain.

Directly across the road from the Romanesque Church at Killeshin is a large hilltop "Motte".

 

These large mounds were first constructed by the Normans when they arrived in Ireland.

 

Wooden fortified houses/castellations would have  been constructed on top of them (occasionally small stone Castles too) and a fenced area called a "bailey" often surrounded the immediate area below. 

The fenced bailey below may have contained some domesticated animals or horses. They were built from the 12th century onwards.

Closer to the small hamlet of Killeshin itself and at the side of the road lies a contemporary "Celtic" style Cross memorial to Padraig (Gaffney) MacGamhan, a former IRA volunteer.

 

In the grounds of the beautiful Gothic Church of the Holy Cross lie the remains of Thomas Proctor.

 Thomas was I presume, a former British soldier who most likely served in WW1 with an early Cavalry/Tankers regiment. 

I am basing this assessment purely on the pictured Tank which resembles something like an early "Mark 1 through 9" type early British Tank.

During WW1 the old Horse mounted Cavalry were changing over to the newly invented mechanized armored Tank and the conflict saw the early introduction of Tank warfare.

Both lie at peace in Killeshin today and represent two sides of the sometimes convoluted and confused same Irish coin.

 

May the wind be always on their backs.

There is a relic from the days of the Penal Laws in Ireland nearby too, a Mass Rock.

 

The entrance to this is located almost directly across from the Car park at the old Carlow Waterworks.

 

There are some steps onto grass which are probably remnants from a previous older entranceway which mark the way.

 

A path leads behind some houses and into a field at the rear. 

The Mass Rock is located in a tree and shrub lined hollow which can be easily seen from a distance.

These Mass Rocks, in Irish "Carrig an Aifrinn" were where Mass was held by Roman Catholics during the era of the Penal Laws Ireland. 

Both Roman Catholic and "Dissenter" such as Presbyterians and Methodists were discriminated against to varying degrees at the time. 

This particular site was refurbished at some stage by the local community at Killeshin.

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Killeshin Waterworks, once called the Carlow Waterworks is now an Amenity Park. 

Located in County Laois it once served neighbouring Carlow town with its water supply.  It is set among quite panoramic and bucolic countryside and is well worth taking the time to visit.

 

The area is very scenic and there are many small foothills surrounding Killeshin with wonderful views across the surrounding countryside.

Keep the wheels turning.

Coordinates here:

52°50'50.2"N 7°00'04.8"W

52.847273 - 7.001344

Killeshin, St Diarmait mac Siabairr and St Comgan - The Corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain and Ireland.

 

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