Celtic/Monastic sites in Donegal

Graces7

Termonator's beautiful photos of St Crone's taught me how little I still know of Donegal.

We have been working on a small booklet/cards to sell in summer featuring Celtic and Monastic sites in Donegal.

I had missed the Termon one and there are probably others that you good folk know of?

So far my list is..

The Abbey Donegal Town.
Ards Friary
Rossnowlagh Friary.
The Carmelite Priory Rathmullen.
Killydonnell Friary near Ramelton
Glencolumcille
Assaroe Abbey/St Patrick's Well and Kilbarron Church.

And now St Crone's which I hope to visit soon.

Am sure I had ten lined up already.

The cards will give some history and directions.

Any ancient Celtic sites or sites of monasteries in Donegal

Blessings and thanks.

ednwireland

disert graveyard ! 6th century, associations with st columba (where hasnt)

http://www.donegaltown.ie/Article_Details.aspx?article_id=140&tscategory_id=8

also rat banishing clay (never knew that ):D

North_West_Art

I know of a load more that rean't listed on this site

http://www.megalithicireland.com/

Im sure you know of An Griannan ringfort, and Beltany Stone Circle at Raphoe.

http://www.megalithics.com/ireland/grianan/granmain.htm

http://www.ancientireland.org/beltany/index.html

These sites are pre Christian though

Graces7

North_West_Art wrote: »

I know of a load more that rean't listed on this site

http://www.megalithicireland.com/

Im sure you know of An Griannan ringfort, and Beltany Stone Circle at Raphoe.

http://www.megalithics.com/ireland/grianan/granmain.htm

http://www.ancientireland.org/beltany/index.html

These sites are pre Christian though

Yes, it is the Christian sites only.

I searched for Dysert one day and missed it; is is very near here too; it is quite a walk from the road?

fontanalis

What's the name of the place near Ardara/Portnoo, I think there is a Dolmen or something there. Apparently the old graveyard in Inver has an old background.
Also what do you mean by the term celtic, I ask because I just read a book on genetics/ancestry which claims (based on DNA analysis) that Ireland is just culturally and linguistically celtic not a "tribe" of celts.

Graces7

fontanalis wrote: »

What's the name of the place near Ardara/Portnoo, I think there is a Dolmen or something there. Apparently the old graveyard in Inver has an old background.
Also what do you mean by the term celtic, I ask because I just read a book on genetics/ancestry which claims (based on DNA analysis) that Ireland is just culturally and linguistically celtic not a "tribe" of celts.

I found the Inver graveyard a few weeks ago... But could not find any history of it.

I know the Dolmen, but that also is pre-Christian.

By Celtic I am limiting it to the period of St Patrick and Columcille - and now Crone.

The early centuries of Christianity here. Which are often referred to as Celtic

As well as more recent monastic sites; eg the Franciscans.

Oh; just remembered one i had already listed; Gartan. The two sites there; my memory .. .We take folk there a lot.

And Doon Rock; the Holy Well there

I searched for the Crosses mentioned here once to no avail.

http://www.inishowenheritage.ie/northern-inishowen/

Oh and the Fahan St Mura..

josey_whale

Graces7 wrote: »

Any ancient Celtic sites or sites of monasteries in Donegal

Blessings and thanks.

Well.... There's Gartan for one - St Columbkille's abbey.
Also... wikipedia have a list... see here.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_abbeys_and_priories_in_Ireland#County_Donegal

Plenty to keep you going!

JW

fontanalis

I think at Inver it's the location more than what's there now that would be what you're looking for, there are stories associated with Columcille (but as someone has said, where hasn't) and I heard another about links to Niall of the Nine Hostages, but I take that with a large grain of salt.
What about the islands around the coast? I'm sure there must be old sites on them!

fontanalis

Doesn't the Irish for Killybegs (na Cealla Beaga) traslate as small cells, as in monastic cells? There should be areas of interest there then.

ednwireland

Graces7 wrote: »

Yes, it is the Christian sites only.

I searched for Dysert one day and missed it; is is very near here too; it is quite a walk from the road?

nope drive down the road past drimarone united soccer pitch next right pull in, short walk down , about 100 yards

fontanalis

It's near Meenaguse isn't it?

Graces7

ednwireland wrote: »

nope drive down the road past drimarone united soccer pitch next right pull in, short walk down , about 100 yards

Ah it was that right turn I missed; drove to the top and had a wander round the new buidlings there.

Thanks...

Graces7

fontanalis wrote: »

Doesn't the Irish for Killybegs (na Cealla Beaga) traslate as small cells, as in monastic cells? There should be areas of interest there then.

yes, and the same at Teelin. There is a monument at the pier at Teelin. I had forgotten that.

But there is nothing left of it now at Killybegs.

A Holy Well of fairly modern origin and a splendid ruined church.

On my "reserve" list....

Graces7

fontanalis wrote: »

I think at Inver it's the location more than what's there now that would be what you're looking for, there are stories associated with Columcille (but as someone has said, where hasn't) and I heard another about links to Niall of the Nine Hostages, but I take that with a large grain of salt.
What about the islands around the coast? I'm sure there must be old sites on them!

OK; fascinating. The old Inver graveyard was very atmospheric so I am not surprised.

I am seeking first very immediate ones; to sell the guide to eg US tourists so they can find and visit these places easily. Accessible and well sited.

fontanalis

Graces7 wrote: »

yes, and the same at Teelin. There is a monument at the pier at Teelin. I had forgotten that.

But there is nothing left of it now at Killybegs.

A Holy Well of fairly modern origin and a splendid ruined church.

On my "reserve" list....

Is that St Catherines Well?
Would place names be a good place to start for this kind fo thing?
A bit off topic, but I heard a while back that there may be connections between the Bluestacks and Finn McCool. It's thought that Carnaween may be derived from Finn. Did anyone else hear about this?

fontanalis

Graces7 wrote: »

OK; fascinating. The old Inver graveyard was very atmospheric so I am not surprised.

I am seeking first very immediate ones; to sell the guide to eg US tourists so they can find and visit these places easily. Accessible and well sited.

Contact the Inver Parochial House, about 12 years ago there was a book wrote based on local history and such.
The one below about Donegal Town may be useful. Good luck with the project, the areas around deserve to be promoted.
http://www.donegaltown.ie/Article_Details.aspx?article_id=575

Graces7

josey_whale wrote: »

Well.... There's Gartan for one - St Columbkille's abbey.
Also... wikipedia have a list... see here.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_abbeys_and_priories_in_Ireland#County_Donegal

Plenty to keep you going!

JW

Indeed yes.. thank you.

Many of those are built over now; Moville looks interesting.

http://www.movilleinishowen.com/entertainment/whattodo/moville_walk.htm

homer simpson

there are a few abbeys near where i am little or no info on them online, one is in ardnadition, pretty much across the swilly from killydonnell (pic at the bottom) and there is also one at blanket nook (down near burt castle) both are pretty much identicle old church ruins and a graveyard, the one at ardnadition is still ocassionally used to this day :eek:!!!






If you want spacific directions to either of these places gimmie a pm.

Graces7

homer_simpson wrote: »

there are a few abbeys near where i am little or no info on them online, one is in ardnadition, pretty much across the swilly from killydonnell (pic at the bottom) and there is also one at blanket nook (down near burt castle) both are pretty much identicle old church ruins and a graveyard, the one at ardnadition is still ocassionally used to this day :eek:!!!






If you want spacific directions to either of these places gimmie a pm.

Will pm..

Odd thing this; a lady in Buncrana told me of one she found which I cannot find on any map' may just be one of yours.

Graces7

fontanalis wrote: »

Contact the Inver Parochial House, about 12 years ago there was a book wrote based on local history and such.
The one below about Donegal Town may be useful. Good luck with the project, the areas around deserve to be promoted.
http://www.donegaltown.ie/Article_Details.aspx?article_id=575

Thanks, and yes I feel that too.

When we are out selling in Donegal Town, so many ask about places and there is no gathered in knowledge of this aspect of our history. One minibus of tourists from "Noo Joisey" was headed for Tobernalt at Sligo so I redirected them to Rossnowlagh.

The walk at the back of Stations there is to a view like no other. I take visitors there often.

And to Gartan also. The interpretative centre etc and the abbey ruins.

Graces7

Does anyone know what the ruins down I think Old Golf Course road in Town are, please?

The road to the right going out of town past Supervalu.

Quite extensive ruins and they look like a convent or something; a school?

Madam

There's a friary just outside Manorcunningham, called Balleeghan friary(down at the shore! I remember visiting there as a wee girl in the early 80s, don't know if there's much left of it and I can't find any pictures on the internet.

muffler

The old Clonleigh graveyard has some interesting headstones. Located about 2 miles out the St. Johnston road from Lifford.

Link Scroll out to get directions from Lifford

Its also the site of an old Friary which is long gone unfortunately but on the map I linked to if you click on the "historic" tab to the right it will bring up a 1835 version of the map

homer simpson

Madam wrote: »

There's a friary just outside Manorcunningham, called Balleeghan friary(down at the shore! I remember visiting there as a wee girl in the early 80s, don't know if there's much left of it and I can't find any pictures on the internet.

Would that be the same one i am talking about? or is there another one?

Madam

homer_simpson wrote: »

Would that be the same one i am talking about? or is there another one?

Not sure, but it's just off the road before you reach Manor(from the derry side), it's difficult to find unless you know where it is! As I said I'm not sure anything is left of it but I seem to recall seeing photo's of it on another site - I'll try and find out where.

homer simpson

muffler wrote: »

The old Clonleigh graveyard has some interesting headstones. Located about 2 miles out the St. Johnston road from Lifford.

Link Scroll out to get directions from Lifford

Its also the site of an old Friary which is long gone unfortunately but on the map I linked to if you click on the "historic" tab to the right it will bring up a 1835 version of the map

Good man muffler i totally forgot about the OSI site for showing where the ones im talking about is at, i was using google maps and its terrible:rolleyes:

Anyways here the one at ardnaditaion http://ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/main.aspx#V1,625207,914951,7

And the one in burt....http://ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/main.aspx#V1,631107,919733,7

homer simpson

Madam wrote: »

Not sure, but it's just off the road before you reach Manor(from the derry side), it's difficult to find unless you know where it is! As I said I'm not sure anything is left of it but I seem to recall seeing photo's of it on another site - I'll try and find out where.

Yip its the same one its called what you said on the OSI site, ive always know it as ardnadition abbey , learn something new every day:)! the pics i posted above are from that abbey then so.

josey_whale

I think this thread has the potential to run and run... similar to our photo thread

Can I propose that we use OSI mapviewer URL="http://ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/main.aspx#V1,600000,750000,0"]Ordance survey Ireland[/URL to link to a location... the jist of using OSI is that once you located the site of interest, center your cursor on it and save/copy the url into your post.

Whats cool about all this is that we are actually documenting our history. When posting you might also add what you know about said historic site.

Just a thought!

JW

elaine.rodger

Hey,

Dont know would this be of interest to you but there is an old graveyard at killaghtee well down st.johns point a bit. The link gives you a bit of information on it. Hope it helps and think its a great idea what your doing cause i love all that kinda history stuff! Good luck





http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tc17/localities/Ireland/Donegal/Killaghtee/KillaghteeOldChurch/

Durnish

Inishkeel Island Portnoo, amazing site.

Books you need to beg borrow or steal,

Inver Parish in History, Helen Meehan, mentioned by Fonanelis.
St Conal's Bell, McGill, all about parish of Inishkeel and Ardara.

Archaeology of County Donegal, Brian Lacey

Buildings of Ireland, NorthWest Ulster, Alistair Rowan, part of Pevsner series.

That lot should keep you busy.

Graces7

josey_whale wrote: »

I think this thread has the potential to run and run... similar to our photo thread

Can I propose that we use OSI mapviewer URL="http://ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/main.aspx#V1,600000,750000,0"]Ordance survey Ireland[/URL to link to a location... the jist of using OSI is that once you located the site of interest, center your cursor on it and save/copy the url into your post.

Whats cool about all this is that we are actually documenting our history. When posting you might also add what you know about said historic site.

Just a thought!

A small problem that applies only to me about osi is that the internet signal is so weak and erratic up here I can rarely access it......

I need simple road directions thus.

Sorry about that; blame eircom for not upgrading the line to these SIX houses

I use a vodaphone broadband stick but wildly erratic

Will see re investing in maps?

..

Graces7

What a wonderful response; thank you...


What I aim to do is get a set of a dozen cards of the most accessible places out pretty soon to sell on the stall... Time for exploring etc is limited in summer.

But then, work on a more detailled and fuller book. Including the more remote places. With a timeline aspect also.

So keep it coming by all means!

I have 12 listed now and many of these are almost ready to print.

Graces7

elaine.rodger wrote: »

Hey,

Dont know would this be of interest to you but there is an old graveyard at killaghtee well down st.johns point a bit. The link gives you a bit of information on it. Hope it helps and think its a great idea what your doing cause i love all that kinda history stuff! Good luck



http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tc17/localities/Ireland/Donegal/Killaghtee/KillaghteeOldChurch/

I "should" know this one... I know the one at Dunkineely
Cannot place it.

I can include all the old graveyards too; came across a lovely one on the Fanad Drive.

Oh and the Way of the Cross on the same day. Near Ramelton/Rathmullen. A high outdoor Stations

Beanstalk

Aughaninshin in Kiltoy, Letterkenny: http://ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/main.aspx#V1,619232,913019,7
Templedouglas out in Glenswilly (church): http://ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/main.aspx#V1,608989,913346,6

Its strange I came upon this thread today. I was out with my friend this morn who is doing Media Studies, he had to film a sunrise as part of his course. We drove down to killydonnell at half five this morn, its was a little cloudy, but the view over Lough Swilly was epic at dawn!

irish_goat

There's a dolmen up Lisfannon hill but it's sunk into the hill a little so not terribly impressive or anything.

Goldenquick

This might be of interest to you Grace, it's the old graveyard in Glenties.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~donegal/olfglentiesgy.htm

North_West_Art

on the stretch of road going in towards Dunfanaghy, take a left turn and go up the hill towards the caravan park. Just beyond this park on the right, there is the ruins of an old church and graveyard, Im not sure what it dates back to, a couple of hundred years Id say.. heres the link
http://ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/main.aspx#V1,602278,936657,7

Graces7

Goldenquick wrote: »

This might be of interest to you Grace, it's the old graveyard in Glenties.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~donegal/olfglentiesgy.htm

Ah there is one I know; the wee houses in it are fascinating...

Never found the famine graveyard in Glenties yet.

homer simpson

Isn't there a place down between kilcar and carrick on the left hand side i remember seeing it when passing im not 100% sure where it is but its along the main road, maybe someone from down that way could point you too it.

I"think that its here, im not 100% sure but as far as i know thats where it is.... http://ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/main.aspx#V1,561604,877660,7

Goldenquick

Graces7 wrote: »

Ah there is one I know; the wee houses in it are fascinating...

Never found the famine graveyard in Glenties yet.

It's behind the houses in Ard Patrick, go to the bottom of the town, take a left at the grotto heading down the Nairn Road, Ard Patrick is to the right just after the comprehensive school.

Graces7

homer_simpson wrote: »

Isn't there a place down between kilcar and carrick on the left hand side i remember seeing it when passing im not 100% sure where it is but its along the main road, maybe someone from down that way could point you too it.

I"think that its here, im not 100% sure but as far as i know thats where it is.... http://ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/main.aspx#V1,561604,877660,7

I think you mean the Spanish Church?

It is a replica; see

http://www.radiks.net/~keving/Kilcar/KilcarWalks.html

The whole county is steeped in these things. Rich heritage indeed.

Other graveyards are Eddrim and Drumholme. The latter has a separate old field where the priests were buried when it was Catholic.

So many changed hands like that; St Catherine's in Killybegs went back and forth between the churches many times.

Fracture

Actually, there is some gallows down the road of me, its in Buncrana.

http://ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/main.aspx#V1,634545,932977,8

I lived beside them all my life and never knew what they were until i read a book called "Romantic Inishowen" around 15 years ago. The book was written around 1890 or something, maybe earlier. It had a kind of interview printed in it talking to a 100 year old woman who seen wolf tone being marched through Buncrana main street when she was a child.

Durnish

The knowledge is all there in the books, like those of Harry Percival Swan, mentioned above, you just have to read them.

McGinley's Cliff Scenery of South Western Donegal is fascinating as well. Written as a walk from Ardara on round the Slieve League peninsula and down into Donegal town, he deals with all the relics/sites and their oral histories.

Lacey's Archaeology of Co Donegal has all the sites, listed in chronological order.

Is there a library service in Donegal town?

Graces7

Durnish wrote: »

The knowledge is all there in the books, like those of Harry Percival Swan, mentioned above, you just have to read them.

McGinley's Cliff Scenery of South Western Donegal is fascinating as well. Written as a walk from Ardara on round the Slieve League peninsula and down into Donegal town, he deals with all the relics/sites and their oral histories.

Lacey's Archaeology of Co Donegal has all the sites, listed in chronological order.

yes, there is a library service etc, but I am seeking a different approach than the archaeological and academic one.

And local folk know so much more than is in the books.

Folk history is a vital part of it.

And unless books are loaned I cannot access them; I will be contacting some of the PPs and other clergy in the months to come.

I am combining it with some genealogy queries for some from the US too.


Is there a library service in Donegal town?

...

Durnish

Most of those books were written by "local folk",
McGill, Meehan, McGinley, all highly respected local historians.

Graces7

Durnish wrote: »

Most of those books were written by "local folk",
McGill, Meehan, McGinley, all highly respected local historians.

I hear you; and thank you.

It is just I am seeking a different angle as reproducing what is already there is pointless.

It is not that kind of historical angle that interests me most; hard to explain. More of a faith journey, which is why I am limiting to to Christian sites.

Not sure which way to go just now and have three other books "in `progess" so am planning to continue learning and exploring.

And will enjoy that hugely.

Again thanks.

Stonemason78

www.megalithicireland.com has been updated to include more monastic sites in Donegal, including Carrowmore, Clonca, Gartan,Glencolmcille and Inishkeel. Others you may be interested in are Templedouglas, Lacknacoo and Carndonagh.