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oops |
Driving up to the location, you can see it sitting high upon the hill. But don’t take your eyes of the road since there could likely be another car approaching – and there was. So, I backed up & took a picture.
This is one of the best strategic locations I’ve seen for a defensive fortress. Sitting high on a hill, overlooking the surrounding countryside sits the remains of Dunamase castle. Also called the Rock of Dunamase. The site was originally built upon in the 9th century as a Christian settlement. Then in 842, it was pillaged and the abbot killed by Vikings. It sat unattended for nearly 200 years. The Normans came along and began to rebuild it in the
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Barbican Gate |
12th century.
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Great Hall
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Main Gate |
The castle was fortified with the addition of a Great Hall; the existing gate tower strengthened and more walls added. When you look closely at the various rocks and stones, and the different building methods you can almost see the different years emerging. Obviously, due to its location it became a very important stronghold and negotiating resource for anyone that held it over the next few hundred years. Being fought over for years it fell into a slow decline. However, this was another great castle that fell and finally destroyed during the Cromwellian invasion in 1650. With what is currently left of the grounds and the drawings of its layout, you can see how magnificent it had been.
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Borrowed from the internet |
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Slieve Bloom Mountain range |
We were blessed with a lovely morning (only a 50% chance of rain) so I was able to take some good shots of the valley below and the Slieve Bloom Mountain range off in the distance. The ruins are now inhabited by numerous birds and I believe a few accidental spirits still hang out as well. It’s always wise to seek permission before entering old structures. I did and felt quite welcomed. This is one of my favorite sites.
Just below the mountain sits the The Rock Holy Trinity Church, still in use today. I have not been able to find out how old it is, and we could not enter due to the doors being locked. There are a number of grave stones there dating back to the 1800's.
Great pics! I'm reminded of a movie quote: Why'd they leave all these rocks laying in the backyard? lol
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