Rattoo Round Tower Ballyduff, North Kerry. Wild Atlantic Way.
Rattoo Round Tower Ballyduff, North Kerry.
Wild Atlantic Way.
History: The monastery historically dates from the 6th century and founded by Bishop Lughach, though the present church ruin is certainly of later date. In the mid 19th century, the tower sat on a raised earth causeway in what was then a swamp. The swamp was drained and the causeway removed in the late 1800s so that the fields which surround it could be planted with crops. These field remain under cultivation today.
Features: This beautifully proportioned round tower features doorway moulding unlike any other. A curvilinear design runs along the top of the arch, resting on the wide raised moulding of the arch itself and terminating in scrolls to either side. At the apex of the arch, above the first design, is a smaller abbreviated curved design that stretches most of the width of the keystone. All of the carving, including the doorway moulding stand proud of the face of the tower by a centimeter or two. The tower drum is composed of a variety of large purple, brown, gray and red sandstone blocks, regularly spaced with smaller stones at intervals. There is evidence of several lightning strikes. In 1880-81,the OPW reset part of the conical cap. Photographs show the top two thirds of the cap are of an obviously different construction from the bottom five courses closest to the cornice. During this same restoration work, the OPW discovered a sheela-na-gig (a female exhibitionist figure of sorts) carved on the top left-hand corner of the frame of the north window, facing the interior. A plaster cast made at the time of discovery is now in the National Museum.
Other Items of Interest: Whether the church ruin on this site was oddly built to begin with or oddly restored, I couldn't say. A stone set just inside the arched doorway has a date of 1667 inscribed on it, along with other marks I couldn't interpret. There is beautiful double ogee-headed window that frames the tower nicely from the right angle.
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North Kerry Wild Atlantic Way Danny Houlihan
The Wild Atlantic Way winds its way along the coastline of Ireland and the hearts of its visitors through its green valleys and wild coastline in history and mythology and song this is Ireland of the Welcomes.
The North Kerry Wild Atlantic Way Group invites you to join us on the ferry from Kilimer and arrive in Tarbert and its Bridewell and walks.
Step back in time to O' Conner Kerry clan and its chieftain his Abbey in Lislachtin and Carrigafoyle Castle the rock of the chasam in Ballylongford travel to lovely Village of Asdee and its history, Holy Well Tobar Eoin and the ancestral homestead of the Grand parents of Jesse James, continue to the Store have a traditional pint of Irish Guinness take the right to Liter to one of Europe's famous Artists at the Glennwood Studio there view Pods Ireland Modern Camping this is a must for all to see with its unique design Litter also has its own brand of pudding and produces top class food World Wide.
Leaving Litter continue along the coastline to Beal Farm House Cheese and sample the fillet of Irish Cheeses within the confines of a traditional farm beal Farmhouse Cheese is rated as one of the top brands in Ireland.
Pass the standing stone at Beal and the wreck of the Thetis which can be seen on certain tides continue to Killconly Church and its history from here visit Bromore Cliffs continue to Doon Church built in 1830 you are now entering Destination Ballybunion with its famous Golf Course Cliff Path Walks International Tintean Theatre ,Ballybunion Heritage Museum, Art Gallery and Surf School leaving the town cross the Ferry Bridge to Derryco and Rattoo Round Tower and the famous Rattoo Heritage Museum and its historianThe Great Sean Quinlan PC who is the author of the 3 Great Books of Kerry and the founder North Kerry Heritage Trails.
Take right in Ballyduff continue to Barons Bunker and continue along the wild Atlantic way to the Edge of Freedom at Clashmealcon with its Irish Patriot History from there continue to the cross take a right and watch the boats come in at Meenogahane Pier from this scenic viewing point return to the main road take a right here and continue along the Wild Atlantic Route with Causeway and back to Glenderry Pass the Old School and view the The Wild Atlantic Way this Ireland at its best on to Ballyheigue and Banna with its Castle and beaches of hight quality from her take a journey to Ardfert Brendan and the Friary, listen you might even hear the chant of the Monks.
Enter the the woody vale of Ballyroe and then take a journey of mystic quality to Barrow with coastal views of Tralee Golf Course unbeaten anywhere in Ireland the wildlife of this area is astounding.
The legend of of the The Wild Atlantic Way come into focus in Fenit a safe port in wild seas its lighthouse guards the bay with the watchful eye of St Bredan who's sculpture draws thousands of visitors each year.
Leaving Fenit continue back to Tralee home to the Rose of Tralee and many visitors Attractions its Blennerville Windmill and the new Tralee Bay Wet Lands is a must to to see, with its magical coastline and miles of golden sand beaches and Eco Marine life this is truly The Wild Atlantic Way Danny Houlihan.
Come and visit us and experience a cycle or a walking tour along the Wild Atlantic Way for details contact Danny ecotrekballlybunion.com
All rights reserved designed by Danny Houlihan.
Thanks to all in Destination Ballybunion.
Sean Quinlan speaks of Kerry History
Sean Quinlan give talk on History of Kerry and Ireland at Kilfeighny, Lixnaw Co Kerry, Ireland.Lixnaw 1837
The R. C. district of Lixnaw comprises the parishes of Kilcarragh and Kiltoomy, and the greater portions of Dysert, Finuge, Kilshinane, and Kilfeighny; and contains the chapels of Lixnaw, or Ballinageragh, and Iramore. The former, which was erected in 1805, has a painting of the crucifixion over the altar, executed in a superior style by an Italian artist. Adjoining the village are the ruins of the old church, and the extensive remains of the ancient castellated mansion of the earls of Kerry; and on a mount at a short distance to the north-east is a monument, or mausoleum, of John, the third Earl, of a circular form, resting on a square base and terminating in a dome; whence an extensive view of the surrounding country is obtained. Lixnaw gives the inferior title of Baron to the Marques of Lansdowne.
hunting Kerry county Hunt clubhunting 08
Kerry county hunt club 08
Hunting 08
Kerry Mayor Visits USA
The Mayor of Kerry, Cllr. Michael O’Shea has concluded his official visit to the US for St. Patrick’s Day weekend with engagements in New York and Boston. In New York, the Mayor presented the new Kerry Tourism Strategy, 2016-2022 to Mr. Billy Condon, Vice President, Tourism Ireland North America, met with Mr. Seamus Carroll, Vice President IDA Ireland and visited the Irish Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mr. Tim Mawe, about securing UNESCO world heritage designation for the Valentia Trans-Atlantic Cable Project. The Mayor presented Mr. Mawe, whose grand-uncle taught in Valentia National School, with a section of the historic trans-Atlantic cable mounted on Valentia slate. It is hoped that Ireland and Canada will submit a joint application to UNESCO for World Heritage status for their respective cable station sites.
The Mayor attended the St. Patrick’s Day breakfast hosted the Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, in Gracie Mansion and met a number of prominent Irish-Americans including the New York Police Commissioner, Phil O’Neill. Later that afternoon he marched with the Kerry Association and Kerry Pipers in the New York Parade down Fifth Avenue and greeted the 2016 Rose of Tralee finalists who marched with the Kerry group.
He travelled to Boston on Saturday for a further series of engagements including a Destination Kerry Tourism Promotion with Tourism Ireland and Shannon Airport for the Massachussets travel trade in the Capitol Grille on Monday, March 20th, and meetings with the Kerry diaspora. He discussed a twinning arrangement between Dingle and West Springfield with the Mayor of West Springfield, Wil Reichelt, former Mayor Ed Sullivan and Sean Cahillane, director of the Irish Cultural Center for Western New England.
He met with the Board of the Irish American Partnership, who presented a donation totalling $10,000 for five Kerry primary schools, and the University of Massachusetts regarding Third Level partnerships with Kerry. He also visited JFK Library and Museum on this the centenary year of President Kennedy’s birth. Cllr. O’Shea was accompanied by his wife Susan and the Kerry County Council’s Tourism Officer, John Griffin.
Speaking on his return, Mayor O’Shea said that “St Patrick’s Weekend visit gave us a great opportunity to engage with key players in the business, tourism and economic development in the United States. At a time when County Kerry is looking for every opportunity to promote the county overseas as a destination to live in and do business, there is no substitute for engaging directly with key leaders and representatives in the US, a country which has contributed so much to economic development and tourism in Kerry,” he said.
Gortletteragh v Drumreilly Rd 1 2014
A Kerry man demonstrates how Sex Sells
Kerry people are very resourceful and can also be quite critical of those who might support an outsider’s innovation. This story tells of a Kerry Business man who responds to a competitor’s threat, making sure that the commercial balance is restored, whilst also making sure that those who supported the competitor’s advance are dealt with appropriately.
Bograil - Shannonbridge Co Offaly -
Bograil is used to transport peat in the midlands of Ireland.
Down Memory Lane at Listowel 2012.
ALZHEIMERS, Memory Lane Concert, Nov. 3rd at St John's, Listowel.
Bernie O Connor and friends help make some money for local Alzheimers Group.
Taking part were Bernie O Connor and Lartigue Village Kids, Hazel White, O Neill Sisters, Declan O Mahony, Christopher Keane, Katie Keane. If you want to help make contact in Listowel. Co Kerry.
Donaghmore Co Meath, 11th Century Round Tower
We were down at Trim Co Meath for a few days break. Trim is a great base to visit the many ancient ecclesiastical/military/ burial sites/ and passage tombs, dotted round this whole area. On the way home driving north past Navan we spot a round tower in an old cemetery and so we unexpectedly stumble upon Donaghmore Round Tower. ( Apologies for the poor sound. I hadn't realized just how hard the wind was blowing. )
Donaghmore Round Tower
It is believed a monastery was founded here by St Patrick in the 5th century and he then placed it in the care of his disciple St Cassan. The round tower which dates to the 11th century is the oldest of the remaining features at this site. The tower which is built of undressed limestone stands at around 26 metres tall, The tripartite arched doorway has rounded mouldings. It has a head on either side above the jambs. On the keystone of the arch is a crucified Christ. One unusual feature of the tower is that there are no windows in the bell storey, which normally has four windows each facing the four cardinal points. It is assumed that they were omitted during some restoration work by a previous owner in 1841. Also on site are the remains of a 16th century church which has a carved head from an earlier church built in the south wall.
Brilliant. In Ireland both north and south you literally do not know what you are going to find just around the next corner.