Tag: Republic of Ireland

Ballinvownig, Dingle, County Kerry

megalithix

Cup-and-Ring Stone (lost):  OS Grid Reference – Q 46 00

Archaeology & History

This lost carving probably still exists, but in all likelihood is well overgrown by vegetation.  It was in that state of affairs when Rev. Orpen (1908) wrote about it more than a hundred years ago in  his essay on the petroglyphs between Lispole and Dingle.  After describing and illustrating several carvings in the area, he told:

“I may mention here that further west, near Ballintaggart, at Ballywoonig, there is another single cup and circle which I found on a rock, the last of which was covered with clay and grass. I had these removed, hut nothing further was disclosed.”

Sadly, he left us with no sketch.  His wording suggests that the carving is close to the southern boundary of Ballinvownig, pehaps near the souterrains near Ballintaggart house…?  Perhaps some local antiquarian explorers might be able to find out where it’s hiding—although it will doubtless be covered in vegetation.

References:

  1. Cuppage, Judith, Archaeological Survey of the Dingle Peninsula, Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne: Ballyferriter 1986.
  2. Orpen, R., “Antiquities near Lispole, Co. Kerry,” in Kerry Archaeological Magazine, volume 1,  1908.

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian

Kinard East (2), Lispole, County Kerry

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Cup-and-Ring Stone (destroyed):  OS Grid Reference – V 4967 9923

Archaeology & History

In Rev. Orpen’s (1908) description of the impressive Kinard East (1) carving, he told that before leaving the place:

“about 20 yards to the north of this…stone may be seen a single cup and circle on the corner of a rock.”

Judith Cuppage (1986) reported that this stone, “has apparently been broken up for use as road-metal.”  Gone!

References:

  1. Cuppage, Judith, Archaeological Survey of the Dingle Peninsula, Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne: Ballyferriter 1986.
  2. Finlay, F., Rock Art of Cork and Kerry, unpublished MA thesis 1973.
  3. Orpen, R., “Antiquities near Lispole, Co. Kerry,” in Kerry Archaeological Magazine, volume 1,  1908.

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian

Ballinknockane, Kilquane, County Kerry

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Cup-and-Ring Stone (lost):  OS Grid Reference – Q 43 11

Archaeology & History

Judith Cuppage (1986) recounted that in the unpublished Minutes of the County Kerry Field Club for 1944, mention was made of a multiple-ringed petroglyph that hasn’t been seen since.  It sounds quite impressive.  She told how they’d,

“discovered a stone bearing a cup-and-gapped circle and a cup-and-3 gapped circles, “on the fence opposite the church” at Camp.  Mortar still adhering to the stone as if it had been removed from a building.” Adding that, “neither its original provenance nor present whereabouts are known.”

Surely some good wise local still knows where this olde stone lives?  In a garden perhaps…?  It would be good to know that it’s still alive and well.

References:

  1. Cuppage, Judith, Archaeological Survey of the Dingle Peninsula, Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne: Ballyferriter 1986.

Acknowledgements:  Huge thanks for use of the Ordnance Survey map in this site profile, reproduced with the kind permission of the National Library of Scotland. 

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian

Bride’s Well, Ballintemple, Wicklow

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Holy Well:  OS Grid Reference – T 17340 77380

Archaeology & History

The earliest OS-map of this area shows this well a hundred yards or so northwest of an old church and just a few yards east of the stream that is now in woodland; but unlike today, when the early survey was done there were no trees, enabling a clear view of the waters.  When Myles Ronan (1927) wrote of the place, he told that it was still visible.  The site was added to the Grogan & Kilfeather (1997) county inventory where they suggested it’s probable relationship with the legendary St Brigid.  This seems highly probable.  Does anyone know if the Well is still there?

References:

  1. Grogan, Eion & Kilfeather, Annaba, Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow, Stationery Office: Dublin 1997.
  2. Ronan, Myles V., “The Ancient Churches of the Deanery of Arklow”, in Journal Royal Society Antiquaries, Ireland, December 1927.

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian

Pipers Stones, Blessington, County Wicklow

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Stone Circle (destroyed):  OS Grid Reference – N 96998 14582

Archaeology & History

This stone circle was found close to the roadside and is remembered today only by the street-name of ‘Pipers Stones’.  Shown on the first OS-map of the area, the site was destroyed sometime before 1838.

Folklore

In a folklore motif found at a number of megalithic rings, Grogan & Kilfeather (1997) tell us that the name of this circle,

“refers to a tradition that people caught dancing on a Sunday were turned to stone.”

References:

  1. Grogan, Eion & Kilfeather, Annaba, Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow, Stationery Office: Dublin 1997.
  2. o’ Flanagan, Michael, Letters Containing Information Relative to the Antiquities of the County of Wicklow, Bray 1928.

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian 

St. Patrick’s Well, Ballinvalley Upper, County Wicklow

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Holy Well (destroyed):  OS Grid Reference – T 2481 8173 

Archaeology & History

Highlighted on the 1838 OS-map, Grogan and Kilfeather (1997) report that there are  “no visible remains” to be seen of this holy well.  The cult of St Patrick is still celebrated in Ireland every year on 17 March.

References:

  1. Grogan, Eion & Kilfeather, Annaba, Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow, Stationery Office: Dublin 1997.
  2. Lynch, Geraldine, “The Holy Wells of County Wicklow,” in Wicklow History and Society (edited by K. Hannigan & W. Noland), Dublin 1994.

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian