Sacred Journeys: Ireland - Full Description
Dublin - County Dublin
Ireland's capital, the heart of government sited on the east coast, straddles the River Liffey, Encyclopaedia of Irish history and culture - J. Donnelly p155 a hallowed pagan waterway. During the Celtic era a crucial ford on the Liffey possibly even hosted a tiny settlement. In the ninth century the Viking's founded a raiding base at Dublin, and by the tenth century this site was a significant trading town for these northern peoples. However by the late twelfth century the Anglo - Normans dominated Dublin, which became the hub of the feudal lordship of the isle. Encyclopaedia of Irish history and culture - J. Donnelly Vol. 1 p155-156
The initial recorded Viking raid upon Ireland dates to 795 A.D. when Reachrù was assaulted. The subsequent forty - six years saw these invaders attack monasteries and other centres of wealth. Their foothold secured in Dublin in 841 A.D. would inspire other Viking communities, such as Wexford. The largest Viking cemetery outside of Scandinavia was discovered in the nineteenth century, sourced in the ninth century, situated on the current Temple Bar site. Encyclopaedia of Irish history and culture - J. Donnelly Vol. 2 p 475
Trinity College, the first university in Ireland Encyclopaedia of Irish history and culture - J. Donnelly Vol. 2 p 717 can also be found in Dublin. Founded in 1591 by Queen Elizabeth the First, it now contains the largest library on the island, with nearly four million volumes, maps, music, and four hundred years of academic pursuit, as well as vast manuscript collections.
The Book of Kells was allegedly created on the Scottish island of Iona, towards the end of the eighth century, was then transported to Kells, County Meath, when the Columban monks sought refuge from the Viking maunders in the tenth century. This Book was at Kells until it was stolen from the Church in 1007 A.D. Although subsequently recovered, the front cover ornaments had been torn away. The Annuals of Ulster noted its theft and reclamation, declaring that it was "the chief relic of the western world." This Book was given to Trinity College in the seventh century, and despite three hundred and forty folio's surviving, it is not whole. The work is magnificent, with highly decorated canon tables, carpet pages, evangelist depictions, icons, and representational images, for example the Virgin and Child. A range of artists contributed the Book of Kells is infused with Christian symbolism. Butterflies, La Tène spirals and delicate illustrations abound. Encyclopaedia of Irish history and culture - J. Donnelly Vol. 2 p 415-417
High King Brian Boru's Harp, the most ancient enduring harp in Ireland is kept in the Trinity College Library. Encyclopaedia of Irish history and culture - J. Donnelly Vol. 2 p 453 This university was along with Oxford, the provided Oscar Wilde with his tertiary education. He was born on the 16th of October, 1854, at number 15 Westland Row, Dublin.
Encyclopaedia of Irish history and culture - J. Donnelly Vol. 2 p 717 Another famed poet, W.B.Yeats, along with Lady Gregory and John Millington Synge, founded Dublin's Abbey Theatre. William Butler Yeats [1865-1939] is buried in his beloved County of Sligo. 'Taken as a whole, Yeats's influence of English language poetry has been enormous. No other twentieth century writer, except James Joyce, has commanded so high a place in Irish letters.' Encyclopaedia of Irish history and culture - J. Donnelly Vol. 2 p 769 He was a dramatist, essayist, mystic, folklorist, statesman, and in 1923 Nobel laureate. Yeats received his education at public schools in both London and Dublin. Encyclopaedia of Irish history and culture - J. Donnelly Vol. 2 p 769
Phoenix Park contains the President of Ireland's residence, and the American Embassy, where President J.F. Kennedy stayed on his visit to Ireland. In June 1963 he was warmly welcomed, receiving an honorary degree from Trinity College, the first president while in office to journey to the isle. Encyclopaedia of Irish history and culture - J. Donnelly Vol.1 p341-342
Dublin is also home to the renowned Guinness Brewery, which was birthed by Arthur Guinness in 1759, at Saint James's Gate. Encyclopaedia of Irish history and culture Ð J. Donnelly Vol.1 p288
This original site is now a prime tourist attraction.
Newcastle - County Down
Newcastle is a coastal town sited where the Mourne Mountains sweep down to met the sea. This area is steeped in early myth and holy activity. Dundrum Bay was a sacred pagan locality. Slieve Donard, the sovereign of the Mourne Peaks which overlooks this community. The nearby Glen River sweeping along Donard Park, is a spot where ramblers often gather before scaling the mountain. The nearby Ballynoe stone circle, set upon the Lecale peninsula is unique, as the stone ring, one hundred and eight feet wide, encloses an earlier Neolithic burial mound. Seven individuals appear to have been laid to rest at this site, a location which is accessed via a 'tunnel' between two fields, formed naturally by the hawthorns on either side, merging. This ceremonial venue appears to have been deliberately nestled into the surrounding landscape, sheltered by hills, yet close to the ocean, and where the sky could be clearly observed.
County Down, an area frequented by Saint Patrick who founded his first church in Saul, later became renowned as the heart of the Irish linen industry. In 1177 John de Courcy invaded Ulster, and established Dundrum Castle, overlooking the bay. Hugh de Lacy expelled de Courcy in 1204, claimed the castle. King John of England in 1210 captured this site.
Armagh - County Armagh
This city, the spiritual heart of Ireland for over fifteen hundred years, was where Saint Patrick built up the hill, his stone church. He was probably aiming to counter Ulster's pagan centre of Emain Macha, which had been the base for the province's kings and queens. This saint's approach was to endeavour to convert a community's leadership, in the hope that the people would then follow.
Armagh was one of the most crucial places in the island, the hub of political and ecclesiastical authority. This settlement appears sited on one of the most archaic roads of Eire, which used to travel from the north, through Tara, and then down to the far south. By the eight century this site was a significant centre of learning, hence its reputation for one thousand years as the city of 'Saints and Scholars,' a settlement which greatly assisted Christianity's spread across northern Europe.
Derry - County Derry
Derry is a word derived from the old Irish 'daire', equating to an oak grove. This city is set upon the edge of the Foyle estuary, which was born in the sixth century. This metropolis is one of the most continuously inhabited sites in Ireland. The oak to the druids of Europe, was a sacred tree, allied with wisdom, and esoteric insight. The Irish restrictions relating to holy trees endured until the sixteenth century. On the hill of Derry, in the 6th century a tiny monastery was founded, reputedly by Saint Columba, with land gifted from a native king. It was possibly situated in a former sacred pagan grove The current Church of Ireland Chapel of Saint Augustine is the likely site, for this founding monastery, which despite the Vikings along DerryÕs waterways, it escaped the worst of their wrath.
However in the second half of the sixteenth century, Queen Elizabeth the First's martial leaders endeavoured to secure Ulster, the only area of Ireland beyond English authority. 1566 saw the first English garrison at Derry, although it only several years. Another was based in this city, in 1600, when the 'Nine Year War' against the Gaelic O'Neill and O'Donnell's. The eventual 'Flight of the Earls, when these major clans, and their chief supports left for the Continent, meant the Gaelic forces were without leadership. King James the First then made Londonderry a key part of the 'Ulster Plantations' a plan which involved the relocation English and Scottish Protestants into this region whose allegiance was to him. In 1613, this ruler granted to the citizens of London, the old town of Derry. To protect the newcomers Sir Edward Doddington was engaged to design the twelve foot ramparts, a task which took five years to complete. It was the final circuit of town walls constructed in Ireland.
Sligo - County Sligo
Sligo is a juncture which leads either to Ulster in the north or to Connaught in the west. This county is associated with the early mythic battles of the Tuatha dè Danann, 'the people of the Goddess Danu'. In mythology, these ancient deities, their druids, and physicians, practised wizardry, healing, and acts of supernatural might.
Bordered by the counties Donegal and Leitrim, Sligo is 'Yeat's country', the place where he was raised. The beauty of this region, its hills, beaches, woods, and lakes, as well as its esoteric mystery inspired his creative endeavours. The famous Benbulben Mountains now act as guardians for his grave.
This area of Mesolithic and Neolithic sacred activity is rich in hallowed sites. The tomb of the legendary warrior Queen Medb is set upon Knocknarea Mountain, and commands a spectacular view over her terrain. The Carrowmore megalithic cemetery at one time protected one hundred tombs. Standing stones and circles also feature in this county, as do court tombs, such as Creevykeel. For thousands of years religious practices have been conducted in Sligo. Saint Patrick also reputedly travelled through this county, battling the earlier spiritual forces, and claiming the wells and Lughnasa sites as his own.
Galway - County Galway
Sited on the River Corrib, this west coast city has hosted human settlement for ten thousand years. Shell middens stem from Mesolithic activity around Salt Hill, Galway, a locle whose name may even derive from a mythic princess who lost her life in the river. This once thickly forested area saw Neolithic activity and the clearing of some of the wooded areas. Subsequently the Bronze and Iron Ages also touched this region. The Corrib even received votive offerings such as swords.
This stunning western landscape which faces the Atlantic, infused with mythology, was later a place sought by the Christians for their ecclesiastical bases. In 927 A.D. the Vikings raided local monasteries, although strangely did not settle. Under Richard de Burgh in the thirteenth century Connaught was invaded by the Anglo- Normans. In 1484 Richard the third granted Galway a charter and city status.
This active port was one of the major departure points for those leaving for the United States of America. The Clannagh ring has its origins here. Its medieval legacy can still be felt, as can the influence of Spain. This county was the setting for some scenes in John Ford's film 'The Quiet Man'. A city and area wealthy in traditional music, many inhabitants still retain the native Irish language. Famous for horse racing, this vibrant centre, offers festivals, traditional arts and crafts, while the county is home to the small Connemara ponies. The hundred mile limestone Burren is part of this great county also, with its underground caves, healing wells, ancient religious heritage and unique plant life. Caverns have even revealed bear skeletons. Lough Corrib is favoured by fisherman, seeking salmon and brown trout.
Killarney - County Kerry
The last Ice Age has left County Kerry with a beautiful land of mountains, loughs, and river ways. The greatest of this island's mammals the Irish red deer, has survived in the Killarney Valley since the closure of this Age around 12,000 years ago. This county also possessed the earliest copper mines of north Western Europe.
In 1861 Killarney was visited by Queen Victoria, an occasion which inspired others to travel to this area of wonderful natural beauty. Writers, such as Wordsworth and Tennyson, as well as artists have sought spiritual inspiration from Killarney and its surrounding district. The world famous National Park draws travellers from all over the world. Killarney's Lakes reflect clearly the constantly changing skies. Legend declared that a young woman, while thinking of her warrior lover, forgot to replace the stone lid on a well, which then overflowed and created the loughs. The lower lake is associated with the mythic warriors of the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill, and a woman riding a white steed, who came from the spiritual Otherworld, the Land of Youth.