Read the copy these stories were drawn from on the Internet Archive.
- 19
- stories drawn from it
- 19
- placed on the map
- 3
- counties: Galway, Clare, Mayo
- 2,372
- words in the passages on this page
The stories, best first
19 in all
Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.
-
Dry-wall building tradition in Burren, County Clare
Burren · townland · Clare
In the barony of Burren, County Clare, as in the Aran Islands, fuel for manufacturing lime has always been scarce and costly. Consequently, the people of Burren traditionally build their houses with dry walls rather than mortar, a practice shared with ancient Cyclopean churches.
Read the passage
The Ointighs seem to be the most recent, as they approach in type to the modern cabin. Most of the Cloghauns are of a similar type to those on the Great Skellig, county of Kerry, viz., they have rectangular bases, which rise a few feet above the surface before they slope in to form the " beehive roof.'' The Cloghauns on the, Great Skellig are supposed to have been built by the monks, and therefore the rectangular Cloghauns on Aran may also he of Christian origin, and more modern than the Cnocans. Moreover, the rectangular Cloghauns have two doorways, similar to the cabins of the present day, while in none of the circular Cloghauns or in the Cnocans was more than one observed. In none of these ancient ruins was mortar apparent; but this may not be a test of antiquity, as in most of the old Cyclopean churches on the island, and in some of those which are more modern, no mortar was used. This is easily accounted for, when we remember that on these islands, as well as in the barony of Burren, county of Clare, fuel for the manufacture of lime has always been scarce and costly, and the people at the present day generally build their houses with dry walls. On referring to the accompanying Map (see Map, Plate I.), the position of the different old buildings will be apparent, f
* The easiest way to get to this village is along the boreen at the Roman Catholic chapel. This lane, or rather bridle path, leads into its southern part. As the name Cloghaun seems to be used for every kind of ancient mortarless stone house, I have used in this paper Mr. Kilbride's names, which indicate the peculiar structure of each kind of building.
Internet Archive jstor-20488958, Chapter 1
-
Soighead celts and luck folklore near Doon-Connor
Inishmaan · island or archipelago · Galway
A celt called Soighead (pronounced scythe) or Darthead was found while digging near Doon-Connor on Inishmaan. Islanders keep these stone tools carefully, believing that losing them means losing their luck. Rev. Kilbride suggested they were used for skinning seals.
Read the passage
The celt Soighead {pronounced scythe), Anglice, Darthead, marked No. 3, was found by a man while digging in one of the small patches of cultivated ground N. W. of Doon-Connor. It is made of black siliceous limestone, beds of which occur in different places on the island. These Soigheads are said to be very common, but are not easily procured ; as the islanders, when they find them, keep them carefully, as they believe that if they lose them they also lose their luck.* Seals were formerly killed in great numbers by the Aranites (see OTlaherty's History of Yar-Connaught) ; and the Rev. "W. Kilbride suggests that the Soigheads were used for skinning the seals and other animals, as they are of too soft a nature to be put to such hard work as hewing wood or breaking stone. A shallow groove in the flat side of the Soighead in which to place the tops of the fingers would seem to confirm this suggestion.
EXPLANATION OF PLATES.
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
-
Cragballywee: Yellow Village of the Rock on Inishmaan
Inishmaan · island or archipelago · Galway
On the south-west slope of Inishmaan, about half a mile south-west of Doon-Connor, lie the sites of thirteen Cnocans and Cloghauns plus a small stone fort. Only one structure, called Cragballywee, still rises above three feet; half of it was taken away to build cattle shelter walls.
Read the passage
Cbagballtweb {Anglice, the Yellow Village of the Bock). — This lies on the S. W. slope of Inishmaan (couuty of Galway, Sheet 119), the Middle Island of Aran, about half a mile S. W. of Doon-Connor. Here the sites of thirteen Cnocans and Cloghauns were observed, and a small stone fort, about 60 feet in diameter. Of the Cnocans and Cloghauns only two were rectangular ; all the rest were circular. Only one now rises more than three feet above the foundation, and that is marked on the Ordnance Map, aud called Cragbally wee : of this only half remains, but what still exists shows a good example of a circular Cloghaun (see Plate VI., figs, m and w). Every particle of the eastern half has been taken away, even to the very foundation, and has been used to build two wing walls to form a shelter for cattle.
Ointighs with Kitchen-Middens. On Inishmaan there are Ointighs, close to which are kitchen-middens; these seem to be rather modern, as in them are found coins and brass pins. These heaps are principally formed of the bonnet shell and periwinkle, with occasionally those of the mussel and scollop, along with bones of the cow, sheep, and goose.
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
-
Ancient village of Baile na Sean on Inishmore
Inishmore · electoral division · Galway
A previously undescribed ancient village located about a mile NW of the lighthouse on Inishmore, containing a variety of mortarless stone structures including Cloghauns, Cnocans, Fosleacs, and Ointighs. The Rev. W. Kilbride, Vicar of Aran, directed the author to the site, which includes over twenty numbered ruins of different types and periods.
Read the passage
Baila-na-sean (Anglice, Village of the Ancient Ones). — Having heard from the Rev. W. Kilbride, Vicar of Aran, that a village was supposed to exist near the-centre of Inishmore (the North Island of Aran), we went to look for it, and found its site about a mile N.W. of the Light House.* Generally speaking, only the foundations of the ruins remain ; but after our examination we came to the conclusion that the village consisted of Boons; Cahers; Cloghauns, or stone cells with " beehive" or arched stone roofs ; Cnocans (pronounced knockauns), or beehive stone cells covered with clay ; Foslecw (pronounced Fusleak), or cells built of flagstones placed on edge, and roofed with flags ; and Ointigh (pronounced On-tee), or stone huts that have not arched stone roofs.
The Ointighs seem to be the most recent, as they approach in type to the modern cabin. Most of the Cloghauns are of a similar type to those on the Great Skellig, county of Kerry, viz., they have rectangular bases, which rise a few feet above the surface before they slope in to form the " beehive roof.'' The Cloghauns on the, Great Skellig are supposed to have been built by the monks, and therefore the rectangular Cloghauns on Aran may also he of Christian origin, and more modern than the Cnocans. Moreover, the rectangular Cloghauns have two doorways, similar to the cabins of the present day, while in none of the circular Cloghauns or in the Cnocans was more than one observed. In none of these ancient ruins was mortar apparent; but this may not be a test of antiquity, as in most of the old Cyclopean churches on the island, and in some of those which are more modern, no mortar was used. This is easily accounted for, when we remember that on these islands, as well as in the barony of Burren, county of Clare, fuel for the manufacture of lime has always been scarce and costly, and the people at the present day generally build their houses with dry walls. On referring to the accompanying Map (see Map, Plate I.), the position of the different old buildings will be apparent, f
Internet Archive jstor-20488958, Chapter 1
-
Doon-Connor kitchen-midden with 1672 token coin
Inishmaan · island or archipelago · Galway · 1672
Two hundred yards north of Doon-Connor on Inishmaan, an Ointigh with a kitchen-midden yielded a brass pin and a token coin. The token bears 'Wilson of Dublin' over St. George and the Dragon with the date 1672, indicating habitation at the close of the seventeenth century.
Read the passage
Two hundred yards due north of Doon-Connor there is an Ointigh, with a kitchen-midden attached. In this the brass pin No. 2 was found ; and with it a token, a little larger than a farthing ; on one side of this coin was ""Wilson of Dublin," over afigure of St. George and the Dragon, and under the figure was the date 1672 ; on thereverse was " One Halfpenny,"
30
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
-
Cloghaun-a-carriaga: most perfect Cloghaun on Aran
Inishmore · electoral division · Galway
Cloghaun-a-carriaga, described by Dr. Petrie in his 'Round Towers of Ireland,' is noted as still the most perfect Cloghaun on the island. The author observes it has two doorways, a fact Petrie seems to have overlooked.
Read the passage
As the late Doctor Petrie, in his " Bound Towers of Ireland," when describing Cloghaun-a-carriaga (which is still the most perfect Cloghaun on the island) has explained how the Cloghauns are roofed, I need not go farther into details. I would remark, however, that this Cloghaun has two doorways — a fact which that eminent antiquarian seems to have overlooked.
The elevation of none of the Cnocans could be given, on account of the dilapidated condition in which they now are ; but much more might be learned about them, if careful excavations were made around them ; as, for instance, those numbered 5, 8, and 29.
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
-
Bullaun and three-chambered Cnocan near The Doon
Inishmore · electoral division · Galway
North-west of The Doon are two mounds and the remains of a circular chamber, apparently the ruin of a three-chambered Cnocan. A half Bullaun (stone basin) of oval granite was found nearby, possibly brought from the church of Temple-an-chealhrairaluinn a few hundred yards to the north-east.
Read the passage
No. 29. A little N. W. of " The Doon" are two mounds, and the remains of a circular chamber apparently the ruin of a three-chambered Chocan of a similar type to No. 16. Contiguous to them we found half a "Bullaun," or stone basin, of an oval shape, and made of granite. As these are generally found near churches, and are supposed to have been used for baptismal fonts, perhaps this may have been brought here from Temple-an-chealhrairaluinn, the church which lies a few hundred yards lower down the hill towards the N. E.
No 30. Euin of a Cloghaun, of a similar type to No. 1 ; part of its roof remains. This is situated on the slope of a hill, a little N. N. E. of " The Doon." Between it and " The Doon" in one of the walls there are the remains of a doorway, but whether it is modern or ancient we could not make out.
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
-
Ballylinaghaun: Ointigh with kitchen-midden near Moher
Inishmaan · island or archipelago · Galway
An Ointigh called Ballylinaghaun on Inishmaan lies about 200 yards north-west of the boreen leading from Sandhead Lough to the hamlet of Moher. An underground chamber lies east of the ruin, and a kitchen-midden on the north yielded a brass pin.
Read the passage
One of these Ointigh, marked on the Ordnance Map, and called Ballylinaghaun, lies about 200 yards N. "W. of the boreen that leads from Sandhead Lough to the hamlet called Moher. Immediately east of this ruin is an underground chamber ; and on the north is a kitchen midden, 12 yards long, by 9 yards wide, and 3 feet high ; in this the brass pin No. 1 was found.
West of the ruin called TemplesaghtmareS (which to me appear more like the ruins of a house than of a church, as it is divided into three chambers, the centre one of which is a mere passage), there is a large kitchen -midden, in which brass pins are said to have been found, but none of these were forthcoming when I was on the island.
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
-
Two rectangular Cloghauns near Onaght village
Onaght · townland · Galway
Two notable rectangular Cloghauns stand on a ridge half a mile south-west of the village called Onaght on Inishmore. The larger has two doorways and a window; the smaller has doorways in north and south walls with a window at the south-west corner, built on a natural limestone shelf.
Read the passage
All the Cloghauns in Baila-na-sean are roofless; but there are two such structures on the ridge of the hill, half a mile 8. W. of the village called Onaght, which are worthy of special note. The northern and larger of these (see Plate VI., fig./) is rectangular, 18 feet long, 14 feet wide, and 10 feet high. It has two doorways, one in the south, and the other in the north walL The former is larger than the latter, they being respectively 3 feet square, and 2 feet by 2-5 feet : there is also a window, 1 foot square, in the south wall, 3 feet from the ground.
A large portion of the roof over the south doorway has been destroyed.*
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
-
Dermot and Grania's Bed on Inishmore
Inishmore · electoral division · Galway
A structure called Fosleac or Ligaitredbh (pillar-dwelling) is marked on the Ordnance Map and known locally as Dermot and Grania's Bed, connecting the site to the legendary couple.
Read the passage
No. 27. Eosleac, or perhaps more eorrectly Ligaitredbh, or pillardwelling. This is marked on the Ordnance Map, and called Dermot and Grania's Bed.
No. 28. Euin of a large Doon of an oral shape, its diameters being 220 and 110 feet; this is called by the inhabitants " The Doon."
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
-
Cashel ruin south-west of Cloghaun-a-phuca
Inishmore · electoral division · Galway
A ruin of a Cashel about 60 feet in diameter lies a little south-west of Cloghaun-a-phuca. Mr. Kilbride considered it of much more recent construction than the Duns or Doons for which Aran is famous, and of a quite different style of building.
Read the passage
No. 26. A little S. W. of Cloghaun-a-phuca there is the ruin of a Cashel of about 60 feet in diameter. This seems to be of quite a different style of building to the Duns or Doons for which the Islands of Aran are famous ; and it is considered by Mr. Kilbride to be of a much more recent construction.
No. 27. Eosleac, or perhaps more eorrectly Ligaitredbh, or pillardwelling. This is marked on the Ordnance Map, and called Dermot and Grania's Bed.
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
-
Fairy-struck folklore: stone hatchets buried in Mayo
Mayo · parish · Mayo
In County Mayo and surrounding areas, natives bury stone hatchets immediately upon finding them. They believe that people who are 'fairy struck' receive a blow from such a weapon wielded by a Fairy hand.
Read the passage
* In the county of Mayo, and thereabouts, the natives, when they find these stone hatchets, immediately bury them, as they believe that people who are " fairy struck" receive a blow of this kind of weapon from a Fairy hand.
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
-
Possible monks' Coenobium near Cowrugh village
Inishmore · electoral division · Galway
On the crest of a hill south of the village called Cowrugh, a round, flat heap of stones appears to be the ruins of a cluster of huts. Mr. Kilbride considered these to be the ruins of a Coenobium, a colony of monks.
Read the passage
No. 24. On the crest of the hill, due south of the village called Cowrugh, there is around and flat heap of stones, which seem to be the ruins of a cluster of huts. Mr. Kilbride considers this to be the ruins of a Coenobium of a colony of monks.
No. 25. Ruins of two Cloghauns, of a similar type to No. 1. The
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
-
Cloghancalticaunien circular Cnocan ruin
Inishmore · electoral division · Galway
The ruin of a small circular Cnocan is marked on the Ordnance Map and called Cloghancalticaunien. It is located on Inishmore in the Baile-na-sean area.
Read the passage
No. 31. The ruin of a small circular Cnocan, marked on the Ordnance Map, and called Cloghancalticaunien.
All the Cloghauns in Baila-na-sean are roofless; but there are two such structures on the ridge of the hill, half a mile 8. W. of the village called Onaght, which are worthy of special note. The northern and larger of these (see Plate VI., fig./) is rectangular, 18 feet long, 14 feet wide, and 10 feet high. It has two doorways, one in the south, and the other in the north walL The former is larger than the latter, they being respectively 3 feet square, and 2 feet by 2-5 feet : there is also a window, 1 foot square, in the south wall, 3 feet from the ground.
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
-
Aran Islands ruins destroyed by rabbit shooters
near Aran Islands · island or archipelago · Galway
The old ruins on the Aran Islands are rapidly disappearing, principally because rabbit shooters pull them down to bolt rabbits. This footnote highlights the ongoing destruction of ancient monuments across the islands.
Read the passage
* The old ruins on the Aran Islands are fast disappearing, principally thanks to the rabbit shooters, who pull them down to bolt the rabbits.
29
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
-
Creg-a-blughaun Cloghaun, best-preserved beehive roof
Inishmore · electoral division · Galway
The most perfect example of a rectangular Cloghaun at the Baile na Sean locality, marked on the Ordnance Map as Creg-a-blughaun. A portion of its beehive roof still survives above the perpendicular walls, with two doorways and a small square window.
Read the passage
No. 20. A Cloghaun of the same type as No. 1. It is marked on the Ordnance Map, and called Creg-a-blughaun. This is the most perfect example of its type at the locality, as a portion of the roof is still seen to rise above the' perpendicular walls. There are two doorways to this building — one facing north, and the other south, that are three feet high, 2-5 feet wide on the outside, and 1*75 feet on the inside. At the N. E. of the chamber there is a window, 1 foot square, and 3 feet from the ground ; the chamber is 16 feet long, by 8 feet wide.
No. 21. Ruined Cnocan.
Internet Archive jstor-20488958, Chapter 1
-
Ballynamo light ruin, Village of the Poor
Inishmore · electoral division · Galway
A ruin possibly of an Ointigh or modern stone hut, marked on the Ordnance Map as Ballynamo light, meaning 'Village of the Poor.' It has north and south doorways and a fireplace at the east end, suggesting relatively modern construction.
Read the passage
No. 22. This may be the ruin of an Ointigh ; but it seems to be of modern construction. On the Ordnance Map it is marked, and called Ballynamo light (Anglice, Village of the Poor). It is 27 feet long, by 16 feet wide, and has north and south high doorways, 2 feet wide, and a fireplace at the east end.
No. 23. Three circular Cnocans — these occur on the hill, south of the hamlet called Ballynacragga, a little north of the trigonometrical point 400. They lie in a line contiguous to one another, and seem to be the remains of a chambei - ed Cnocan.
Internet Archive jstor-20488958, Chapter 1
-
Three circular Cnocans near Ballynacragga hamlet
Ballynacragga · sub-townland · Galway
Three circular Cnocans on the hill south of the hamlet called Ballynacragga on Inishmore, lying in a contiguous line near trigonometrical point 400. They appear to be the remains of a single chambered Cnocan.
Read the passage
No. 23. Three circular Cnocans — these occur on the hill, south of the hamlet called Ballynacragga, a little north of the trigonometrical point 400. They lie in a line contiguous to one another, and seem to be the remains of a chambei - ed Cnocan.
No. 24. On the crest of the hill, due south of the village called Cowrugh, there is around and flat heap of stones, which seem to be the ruins of a cluster of huts. Mr. Kilbride considers this to be the ruins of a Coenobium of a colony of monks.
Internet Archive jstor-20488958, Chapter 1
-
Cloghann-a-phuca ruins on Inishmore
Inishmore · electoral division · Galway
The ruins of two Cloghauns were found near the village of Baile-na-sean on Inishmore. The northern one is marked on the Ordnance Map as Cloghann-a-phuca, with part of its roof still remaining.
Read the passage
No. 25. Ruins of two Cloghauns, of a similar type to No. 1. The
28
Internet Archive jstor-20488958
This book is in the public domain; how the books' rights are judged. The passages are quoted as the scan has them, spelling and all; a story's place is the gazetteer's best reading of the text and can be wrong.