I am fascinated with old graveyards and burial places, ruins and relics, and of course the old and the ancient. Sunday, I dragged Harry (who tolerates me in silent concession) nearly 3 hours north to Donegal, right on the border of Northern Ireland.
Donegal Castle built in the 1500’s was the home of the Royal Family of O’Donnell, rulers of Tir Chonaill on the north west coast of Ireland.
This site may have originally been the site of a Viking Fort in the 9th-10th centuries because of it’s strategic position on the River Eske which empties into Donegal Bay and the wild North Atlantic. Tir Chonaill -the name of the region- means “country of the Conall” and its leading families included The O’Donells, The O’Dohertys, and The O’Boyles. Collectively, they were known as the Race of Conall – Conall being a son of Niall, High King of Ireland in the 5th century.
Here’s a look at Donegal Bay from Murvaugh Beach:
Next, on the way back to Sligo, I made Harry stop at WB Yeats’ grave in Drumcliffe Church Cemetery. I was on my own for this one…
Then Sligo Abbey, originally a Benedictine Friory, and abandoned in the late 1700s. It was then quarried by a local builder for stone to use to build houses. (What?!?)
Finally, Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, which I posted photos of yesterday. The site has some 60 recorded monuments and is the largest and only large coastal megalithic cemetery within the Irish passage tomb tradition. The location in the virtual center of the Ciul Irra peninsula-one of the major ritual centers in Ireland during the Neolitihic- indicates its significance.
The biggest tomb -Listoghil- is the largest monument and is distinguished from the others not only by its size but also by its covering by a cairn.
Two major excavations of the site by Swedish archaeologists in the late 1970’s and 1990’s revealed that the sites were in use between 4000- 3000 BC, making them older than the more famous passage tomb at Bru Na Boine (Newgrange). Listoghil seems to be a later addition, dating at some time after 3500 BC, however 2 dates from Carrowmore monument number 3 are very early – 5400 BC and 4600 BC respectively.
One unfortunate, but not surprising finding was that the sites had been previously excavated, thus no intact and complete deposits were recovered. However, important discoveries were made. Small deposits of cremated bones were pushed into the spaces between the large slabs that form the lower support walls of the monuments. This is an indication of some ritual significance during construction of the tomb. Pretty freaking cool, right?!?
I hope I didn’t bore you with this. I bore my husband to death. (Pun intended) But I love history and the more ancient the better. Funerary rituals are fascinating. The ideas different cultures had about burying their dead and sending their loved ones AND their enemies to the next world is an unending source of interest to me. And here in this country, I’m particularly captivated… These could be my relatives, after all!
“And you’re as welcome as the flowers in May to dear old Donegal” … I see you are enjoying yourself in Ireland (the old sod). Nice post and great photos. I have never seen Yeats’s grave before: “Horseman, pass by.” Best wishes. And many thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Roger! I am having a good time, challenging weather aside… We visited Yeats’ home too. I’m doing a detailed post about it with photos for Wednesday, I think. I love it here. I really want to stay forever!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Emerald Isle — you wouldn’t be the first to come as a visitor and stay as a resident. I’ll look forward to your next posts from Eire.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! From your lips to God’s ears!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We never made it to the northern parts of Ireland. Just the west coast, the southern part and then around to the East to Dublin. Thanks so much for this wonderful post. 🙂
https://meinthemiddlewrites.com/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oops! I meant the East to Dublin. Could you correct that for me? Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fixed it! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mary Lou! “Home base” for us is Galway and we wander from there. Driving to Donegal and back in a day was a lot but I’m so glad we did it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a beautiful place! And beautiful photos, thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
Not boring at all, I am fascinated by the Flight of the Earls myself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I was going to include that bit, made myself stop… Perhaps a post of its own? This thing doesn’t appeal to everyone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should do a post…I would like that it was a very important moment in history
LikeLiked by 1 person
For certain. Very well, I will write it up soon.
LikeLike
Fascinating what our ancestors got up to, what they thought when dealing with their dead and how some of their ideas were quite sophisticated really as shown in the places these burial cairns were found.
xxx Gigantic Hugs xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, David! Ah to have a time machine…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, as long as Harry is having a good time, too! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, he’s thrilled…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating! 4000-3000 BC? Wow! And, who the fuck ok’d a builder using those stones?!? 😳
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know! Absolutely criminal! 😱
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unreal! Nothing is sacred. 😏
LikeLike
Wow! Sounds like you’re having an amazing time. Thanks so much for sharing your adventures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you enjoyed it. I was trying to be brief… I could prattle on and put you all to sleep! 😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is that how you knock your husband out when you want to go party? 😋😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! Yes! That or start talking about World War I – his eyes start to cross. I do test his patience. I’m going to Dublin by myself later this week… 😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
The best of us test their patience. What fun is life if we do exactly what they want? 😝 Ooh, Dublin, have fun! I’m jealous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! Looking forward to it, although it will be my first time in Dublin alone – slightly nervous. 😬
LikeLiked by 1 person
Find a local lad to help you out! 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah!!! I like how you’re thinking! 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m getting a very eerie and Gothic feeling from these shots.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing more eery than abandoned places and houses of the dead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m getting chills thinking about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then my mission is accomplished! Thanks, Vinnie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s a real atmosphere to the shots.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s the weather. So gloomy and forboding… The winds were exceptionally strong yesterday too. Wild!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The winds have been strong where I am. Practically howling!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Where are you?
LikeLiked by 1 person
In England, current status Unknown, hehe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mysterious!!! 😃 I guess you’re getting the same weather pattern that I’m experiencing here. So you know what I mean!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like to be mysterious. Wish the weather would settle a bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a nightmare trying to figure out whether to wear shorts or trousers. And when I practice nudism, I need to be in the garden in warmth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahaha! Of course! I take it you’re a seasonal nudist, then… 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes, though I do often all round the house naked.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s awesome! Don’t catch a chill, Vinnie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I promise to be warm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And speaking of nudity, I did do a post that featured people stripped off. But it was for a good cause in raising awareness for testicular cancer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heavens to Betsy! I’m off to your blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Look for the post called Check your Balls.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And please leave a comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This fascination with the old and ancient. So, that why you follow me!
Great post and, as always, full of interesting detail.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahaha!!!! Peter, that is hilarious! Of course not!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just love those old castles and abbeys and anything else old. My imagination goes into hyperdrive! I can’t believe they would take those places apart for the stones. Ack! I can’t wait to get to Ireland to see those sites myself. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know! Mind whirling with ideas. And yes about the stones! 😱 I believe it was the English enforcement of Protestantism that closed all the abbeys. And thus the stones were up for the taking. A tragedy, really.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The two places in the photos are wonderfully intact overall. They’re treasures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And fortunately, now they are under care and preservation governance. Phew…
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a relief! A few hundred years too late, but a relief nonetheless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, exactly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
PLEASE! PLEASE! DON’T STEP ON ANY OF MY RELATIVES! :o) Many of the O’Neils are around there, surely in spirit. Of course, all I hear is that “Oh, those records were burned in the church fire.” Thank you for the guided tour and the fascinating history.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll do my best James, but there are old bones everywhere you go. I might be stepping on my own relatives as well. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really interesting and great pictures. Had I seen any orbs in your photos I would have screamed in fright. Luckily that did not happen. Enjoy yourself! 😉
LikeLike
I love all this sort of stuff, too, as you know. Your pictures are wonderful and I’m glad you’re having a good time. Hey, if you weren’t dragging Harry along, what would he do? Sit in a pub all day? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a chance! There is too much history, ruin and ancient stuff to see. Unfortunately, the way this works, since the company pays for the car rental, I’m limited to what I can do via public transportation. I am going to Dublin solo on Wednesday- nervous and excited! I get to see the lost Caravaggio I’ve been reading about!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool. Damn I need a vacation. You know, my sister offered to take me with her on her next business trip. To London. Or Rome. Too bad I am so broke… though she may pay for the flight! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
And look up Rachel Ray $40 a day. Seriously, you can get away cheap if you’re sneaky!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or if I’m with my (generous) sister constantly. lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should go! Seriously! London or Rome? Come on! 😃😃😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know… many arrangements for kids… not sure how to manage that. I do not have a passport… haven’t been out of the country for quite some time. Hell, I haven’t been on a plane in a LOT of years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Show them how to make Kraft Mac n Cheese, they’ll be fine… (Why I don’t have kids, right there) and come on, the husband can manage (reason number 2) and if you need a companion while your sister is at work (Pick me, pick me!) just let me know…
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL. That is my son’s favorite meal… Hahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok cool, one down one to go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am familiar with Donegal on two continents (Ireland and Pennsylvania in the States) love the mystery of stones in both – and the architecture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Donegal, Pennsylvania? No kidding! I live in PA and never heard of it. And stones there, too? Do tell!
LikeLike
That’s very cool! Those structures are amazing and their rich history is mind boggling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is. Older than the pyramids- some of that stuff. Amazing!
LikeLike
Fabulous ❤️❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Rita! It’s pretty amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can only imagine
LikeLiked by 1 person
We seem to experience travel in the same way. Love immersing myself in the history and thinking about what happened in the place where I stand. Thanks for sharing your amazing trip and journey through time with us…you brought it to life! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am ‘all in’ wherever I go. And love to go local, too. Not just do the touristy stuff! I’m so glad you liked the post, Michael!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, being “all in” is a wonderful place to be! ;-):-*
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am also fascinated by graveyards, ruins and relics! I just love “smelling” the past, history – brilliant post again, Meg 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I find this stuff so completely captivating!
LikeLiked by 1 person