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