durrow abbey co. offaly conservation plan - Offaly County Council

west side by the wall of the walled garden and on
the nor th side by a wide path running between
the motte and the house. A modern path leads up
the south side of the motte with two sets of stone
steps at the top. The summit is enclosed by a stone
wall with a rustic arch on the east side and is partially
taken up by a large rectangular depression.
There is no clear evidence of an associated bailey
though it is possible that a semi-circular area of
raised ground between the motte and the house
may have served this function. Hugh de Lacy.was
killed here after building this ear th and timber
castle (the motte).
Remains of Monastic Enclosure
The field to the south of the church is currently in
pasture and is gently undulating. The remains of the
monastic enclosure (OF009:00503), which are discernible
on aerial photographs and on geophysical
surveys, are just visible above ground. Located in
the trees which line the access road to the church
is the base of a high cross (OF009:00507). Within
this field and located fur ther to the southeast are
the remains of the mound known as ‘Sheeon’. The
site has been par tially damaged as a result of past
activities including quarrying and bulldozing.
St Columcilles Island and Well
St. Columcille’s Island is a roughly semicircular area
at the nor thern boundary of the site. It is accessed
by a modern metalled pathway which leads from
a small tree-lined avenue running from the nor th
side of the house to the east side of the church. The
‘island’ is almost entirely surrounded by two small
streams, one running along the nor thern boundary
and one on the southern boundary. The ground is
waterlogged and marshy, especially in winter when
it is almost completely cut off from the surrounding
land. It suppor ts a number of mature oak trees,
some smaller trees and is covered by heavy undergrowth.
St Columcille’s Well
covering of the well. During dry weather the water
is accessed by stone steps at the front of the well
above which is a stone plaque inscribed with the
following words:
‘St. Columba used this well when he
preached the gospel and built an abbey
near it AD500. The angels shall enjoy my
sacred cell, my sloe, my nut, mine apple, and
my well’
The fields to the immediate south-west, south and
south-east of the ‘island’ fall within the state owned
lands and are presently in pasture. A deep wet
ditch runs in a nor th-south direction between the
main avenue and the site boundary to the immediate
east of the ‘island’. Outside the boundary of
the site the ground slopes up to the nor th to the
line of the Eiscir Riada. The fields are presently in
pasture with occasional mature trees. The esker is
covered in mature trees and forms the nor thern
boundary of the demesne.
St. Columcille’s Well (OF009:00505) is located at
the centre of the island. The well is covered by
small boulders of granite and limestone and measures
4.3m long, 1.6m wide and 3m high. A number
of pieces of carved masonry are visible within the
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