Courtown, Wexford

 Courtown, Wexford.

Much to my regret I must confess to knowing little nor ever having visited before Courtown in County Wexford, part of the "Sunny Southeast".

In my unmitigated ignorance and overactive imagination I often envisioned it as a place domiciled chiefly by Ragamuffins, Rascals, Rebels and Rapscallions and patrolled by a motley crew of Roustabouts, Reprobates and Rapparees amongst various other menageries.

Courtown, after resting my weary hocks within your welcoming embrace I beg your forgiveness for any slight on my part, whether imagined or real.

Now without further ado on to the Post itself.

Courtown in Wexford is a Seaside resort village. Many people will have been here before or visited for however briefly at least once or twice in their lifetime, especially if they are from the East of the Country.

I digress and as previously mentioned must admit to never having been here before. 

It appears that I have missed out on a quite stunning area of outstanding natural beauty and panoramic views wedged between the Blackstairs mountains to the West, the Wicklow mountains to the North and the open Sea to the East.

There are several antiquities of historical importance dotted throughout the town and its surrounding environs and neighbouring villages.

The long, golden sandy beaches are a delight to stroll along and must be wonderful for swimming from during the summer months.

 

Several species of small harmless sharks frequent the coastline here during the summer when the waters begin to warm. Among them are Smoothhounds, Starry Smoothhounds and Tope.

There is also, surprisingly, quite a large selection of Forested walking trails and routes, both signed and unsigned along the Coast and at Ballinatray Woods.

There are not too many places in Ireland where you get to experience Woodlands which stretch right to the Seashore so it was quite invigorating to walk through the trees and along the dunes at the Beach.

Kilbride High Cross is located in Ballinatray Woods. It has what is sometimes described as a Cross surrounded by a Circle inscribed onto it.

Both faces of the Cross have the same type of carving. 

I have read elsewhere that this carving is not in fact a Cross but is however the "Wheel of the Year" with each arm representing one of the four seasons.

It is further postulated that this "Wheel of the Year" was incorporated into some early Christian Crosses in order to help Christianise or help with the early proselytising of the local population. 

It is further suggested that because of the huge importance the seasons played in the agricultural practices of early Irish societies (and indeed still does) that it would have been an ideal tool to incorporate into early Christian worship and iconography in Ireland.

Personally I have no idea how true this may be but it certainly sounds like both a logical and valid assumption.

The High Cross is of uncertain date but quite interesting nonetheless.

Ballinatray Bridge is reputed to be the tallest old stone arched bridge in Ireland. 

It reminds me of Monicknew Bridge in the Slieve Bloom mountains of Laois which itself is also quite high. 

I am uncertain as to the veracity of this claim to fame at Ballinatray however the Bridge stands today as testament to a bygone age of superior Craftmanship and Stonemasonry.

I spotted this old Milestone somewhere outside nearby Gorey, a wonderful and bustling town full of Cafeteria serving a wide variety of Cake. 

I'm a sucker for a decent Cake.

Ballymoney beach is nearby too and this old winch was once used to haul boats ashore along slippy wooden runners.

This old building was previously a Forge where a "Smithy" would once have cast horseshoes and other metal objects.

An old anchor preserved at Courtown Harbour.

A Monument replete with a Barometer stands to the RNLI at Courtown Harbour.

This contemporary Celtic Cross at Ardamine commemorates an early local Politician and was unveiled by none other than the "Long Fellow", Eamon de Valera himself. 

Saint Aidan's Cross is probably a medieval Wayside Cross but is also reputed to mark the spot of an early Church. It was felled in 1800 and re-erected in the 1990's in the grounds of nearby Ardamine Cemetery.

An old Water spout of some type preserved on main street at nearby Riverchapel.

Church at Ardamine pictured below.

An early Norman "Motte" at Ardamine in an unusual  location in that it is facing directly to the Sea. 

They are a circular mound atop of which would have been built a small fortified wooden homestead and which would have been surrounded by a wooded fenced "Baily" which would also have been fortified and may have contained domesticated livestock.

These were built by some of the very first Noman settlers in Ireland. 

An old Well of some type at Ballinatray (Courtown) woods. It probably served the old Courtown estate. That's just a guess on my part.

Monument constructed of Window Quoins remembering a Church which once stood at this site in Riverchapel but is noted as being destroyed in 1798, presumably during the rebellion of the same year.

V R Victoria Regina - Queen Victoria Wall Box at Riverchapel. A nice reminder of times past. Probably Circa 1860/70's.

The Star of the Sea Church at Riverchapel which houses a Clock donated by the local Pioneer and Temperance group.

Plaque commemorating the Courtown Lifeboats and their Coxswains in the Star of the Sea Church. 

A beautiful old Cast Iron Water Pump and Granite Trough at Courtown.

At one time before households had running water it would have been necessary for Villagers or Townsfolk to carry water from these Pumps in buckets to their homes and businesses.

If you were lucky you might have had a Donkey to haul the buckets. At one time it was illegal for an Irish native to own a horse valued at more than £5. This helped ensure there was no native mounted militia irregulars to combat.

It also meant that Ireland had a large and healthy population of Donkeys which were used instead of horses.

Beachfront and shorelines at Courtown, Wexford

Maritime relics at Courtown Harbour.

The History of Courtown - CourtownHarbour.com

Keep the wheels turning.

 CAVAN COUNTY MUSEUM

In the small County Cavan town of Ballyjamesduff lies an absolute hidden Gem.

 

I dropped in on a quick visit while passing and was pleasantly surprised to see the full extent of the exhibits but I was also somewhat disappointed given the limited amount of time I had available to spend there.

 

I hadn't expected the place to be such an interesting and extensive repository of Irish history and archaeology and due to the nature of my flying visit on that occasion I will undoubtedly have to return again in the very near future for another, more relaxed ramble through the exhibits.

I am referring to Cavan County Museum, a true Gem of a place to visit.

My main point of interest when I decided to drop in was an artifact, known as a La Téne Stone, of which there are just three in Ireland, possibly four if you include the Mullaghmast Stone as a La Téne type stone.

La Téne Stones are carved with beautifully styled patterns and intricate swirls and designs. They date from the Iron age and are often attributed to Celtic cultures although little is known about them.

The one at Cavan County Museum is called the Killycluggin Stone, named after the Townland where it was discovered. 

It was badly damaged at some stage unfortunately.

There is a complete replica of the stone (as it once was when it was in one piece) at a junction in Killycluggin. 

I passed it on the bike and have included photographs of it here.

While most people will have little interest in this particular artifact the museum itself contains a huge range of artifacts and exhibits to view straddling pre-history through to contemporary times.

There is a complete Bronze Age Cist, a type of "Box" structure made with large rectangular or square stones which were used for burials.

 

These are not to be seen in the field as they usually remain beneath the surface so it was nice to see a complete Cist here at the museum.

Of particular interest and completely fascinating were the small "warren" of WW1 Trenches and Billets.

 I hadn't known that these were here and it was a pleasure to wander around them for a short while.

There were also two Sheela na Gigs ( grotesque female exhibitionist figures) inside the museum on display and this too was a pleasant surprise. 

I think there are only around 160 or so in Ireland and despite being found in several European countries it is in Ireland where they are most prolific and found in the greatest number.

 

These figures were usually located on Church or Castle walls and their exact meaning, function or purpose is unknown. It may well be that they were once an integral part of the early Church in Ireland and a part of "Folk practises" and worship or a type of "Folk" deity.

Ballyjamesduff is a little off the beaten track so I was absolutely astounded by the wealth of exhibits, artifacts and displays on show at The Cavan County Museum.

I'm going to return again, probably several times to tell the truth. There are too many exhibits to list them comprehensively here in this post but needless to say I think you will find something for everyone to enjoy.

It's a Museum that everyone should visit at least once, it's that well laid out. I think it was four Euro or so for entry which is very reasonable.

 

I would encourage everyone to go and visit Cavan County Museum at some stage and perhaps enjoy a day touring the Drumlins and Lakelands too.

Keep the Wheels turning.