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Killaghtee Old Church and Heritage Site : Dunkineely |
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Address :
None Given
Surrounding Area :
None Given
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Description :
This church and cemetary are great for picture taking and having a picnic. You will be surrounded by the most wonderful stonework. Named after the Parish of Killaghtee, where it is located, the church is listed as one of Ireland's official Heritage sites and is posted as such.
Except for in the old, medieval town of Carlingford, on the other side of the country, this church had some of the oldest gravestones I saw in all of Ireland. (In Carlingford, some of the markers were just plain rocks.) They have even named one of the gravestones with a Heritage sign calling it the Killaghtee Cross - it has been dated to the time of the vikings, 650 AD, showing its age with a large celtic cross on top. The church itself, or the walls of it, could be called well-preserved but its oh so small.
It was interesting to see just how small a church could be back then, as if there were only a few who would use it, yet that did not deter them from the trouble of building it. And, the stonework around the Church's arched windows was incredible showing the handy work of a true craftsman.
On the way to the church, you pass the most beautiful site, an old castle ruin being eroded at the water's edge with horses grazing around it. It is Rahan Castle, ancient seat of the McSwyne`s of Banagh who had it in 1450 AD although, locally, it is called Castle Murray after the last Earl of Annadale, a more recent owner.
Just a mile or two away from the Church is a heritage museum that informs on all the heritage sites in the area. I wish I had found their website before I went because, according to it, this area also boasts wedgetombs dating to between 3000-2000 BC and a couple of Pagan sites being a reilig (burial mound) for unbaptised children and St. Conal's Well. I was just going by signposts and missed these. Anyway, if going over, so you don't miss out as well, the heritage museum (with its B&B and art gallery) has a webpage which can be accessed at:
http://www.killaghteegallery.com
Membe
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