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County Kildare Archæological Society – Excursion To Rathvilly And Neighbourhood
Extracted from the Leinster Leader, 27 September 1930, p. 9.
Rathvilly railway station, undated.
On Thursday, 18th September, the Co. Kildare Archæological Society held its annual excursion to Rathvilly and neighbourhood. The members of the Society and their friends assembled at Rathvilly Station at 10.15 a.m. After a very wet and stormy night, the morning looked doubtful and discouraging, but as the day wore on it became more and more fine, and eventually proved an ideal day for such an excursion. The party moved off sharp to time to the first place on the itinerary—the Moat of Rathvilly.
Mr. Edward O’Toole here explained the very extensive and interesting view from the Moat, which takes in a portion of seven counties. It was supposed to date back to a period several centuries before the birth of Christ, and to be one of the outer defences of Dinn Righ. At the dawn of Christianity in Ireland it was the residence of the King of Hy Kinsellagh—Crimthan (Criffin) who with his wife and infant son were baptized by St. Patrick (A.D. 430) in St. Patrick’s well, some short distance away. Several other interesting and historical facts regarding Rathvilly were recalled.
The “Holy Stone,” about half a mile away, was then visited, and a burial mound, two ancient crosses, and the remains of a primitive Church were examined. The Church is supposed by some to have been the original building founded by St. Patrick, and the crosses—one large unpierced cross and a small limestone cross—have been attributed to the 12th or 13th century. The small cross is particularly interesting, as it contains the figure of the Crucifixion on the front and several carved, interlaced designs on the back. Photos, sketches, and rubbings of these were exhibited.
Haroldstown Dolmen
Haroldstown Dolmen was reached about 11.15 a.m. This has been described as the most beautiful and symmetrical Dolmen in Ireland. Descriptions of it from the “Anthologia Hibernica” and from Grace’s “Antiquities” were read and carefully noted.
There was then a drive of about five miles through very interesting scenery to St. Finnian’s Monastery at Aghold. The Rev. L. M. Hewson told of the origin of Aghold and gave a detailed account of the architecture of the building. He said there were only two others like it in Ireland, one being at Tomgraney, Co. Clare. He drew particular attention to the two windows in the east end, one much smaller and more highly placed in the west end, and to the peculiarly-headed west doorway, with its ball ornamentation.
From Aghold the party moved on to Rathgall, or as it is locally known, “The Ring of the Rath.” About 200 yards from Rathgall, on the opposite or north side of the road, there is a circle of standing stones, or Druid Circle. This acquires importance in connection with the history of Rathgall from the local tradition that “a King of Ireland was buried there.” Mr. Goddard H. Orpen, R.S.A., the historian of the Normans in Ireland, read a most learned paper on the origin of this immense chair, or stone fort, which he believed to have been at one time the most important fortress in South Leinster. The citadel, of which the walls are in places 20 feet high and 20 feet thick, is surrounded by three rings or circumvallations for purposes of defence, the whole enclosing an area of 18 acres. He believed that Crunmael, King of Hy Kinsellagh in the 7th century, lived in this fort, or was besieged in it.
At the conclusion of Mr. Orpen’s paper, Rev. H. N. Craig, Dean of Kildare, tendered the hearty thanks of those present to him for the historical treat which he had come such a long distance to provide, and requested Mr. Orpen’s permission to have the paper inserted in the next issue of the Journal of the Society. This Mr. Orpen readily and kindly gave, so that members will, later on, have the pleasure of reading it at their leisure.
After a picnic luncheon in glorious weather and ideal surroundings, a move was made to Rathglass. Here there are two standing stones, on one of which are very distinct Ogham markings. These stones were visited by Drs. John McNeil and R.A.S. MacAllister, and described in the Journal of the Royal Irish Society of Antiquaries for 1910. This description was read and explained.
The next objective was Aghade fox covert. Here, hidden away in a jungle and difficult to find, is a little known Dolmen. It was recently visited by an expert, who estimated the covering stone (which originally rested on three supporting stones) to weigh about 15 tons.
The last place to be visited, and perhaps the most important of all, was the celebrated Ring Stone or Cloch-a-Pholl at Ardristan, to which Eochaidh, son of Fama Kinsellagh, was chained by order of Niall of the Nine Hostages. Eochaidh escaped to Britain, raised an army, followed Niall to France and defeated and slew him on the banks of the Loire. A member of the party read an account of the Origin of Holed Stones and of the ‘Punishment of Eochaidh.'”
This ended the excursion proper, so all then hastened to the “Bridge Hotel,” Tullow, where a very welcome and enjoyable tea had been provided.
At the conclusion of the tea the Hon. Secretary, the Dean of Kildare, said that twenty-six names were submitted for membership. These, of whom a large proportion are National teachers, were duly proposed, seconded, and approved of.
The Very Rev. Dean then said that the thanks of the Society were due to all who had contributed to make the excursion so successful and enjoyable, but in an especial manner to Canon Ridgway and Mr. O’Toole, both of whom had made the arrangements and outlined the itinerary. A hearty vote of thanks was passed with acclamation to Very Rev. Dean Craig for the very great trouble he had taken in adding to everyone’s enjoyment.
Amongst those present were—Mrs. Norman Uniacke, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Drury, Mr. F. W. Strath, Mrs. Strath, Miss Ruby Strath, Miss Rita Bergin, Mr. J. O’Grady, Mr. E. F. Toole, Miss K. Toole, Mr. W. H. Bennett, Mr. N. J. and Mrs. Byrne, Captain Thomas, Rev. Canon Ridgway, Mr. John Donohoe, Miss Heighinton, Rev. G. Johnston, Miss Johnston, Mrs. O’Connor, Mr. and Miss Goddard Orpen, Mr. Liam Price, D. J., and Mrs. Price, Captain Palmer and Mrs. Palmer, Dean of Kildare and Mrs. Craig, Mrs. Chaplin, Miss Malone, Mr. Stephen Rynne, Rev. L. J. Kehoe, P.P.; Rev. J. P. Donohoe, P.P.; Rev. John Lawlor, P.P.; Rev. W. O’Farrell, Rev. Bro. Leo Slattery, Rev. L. M. and Mrs. Hewson, Mr. J. McCormack, Mr. P. J. Byrne, Mr. Coady, Mr. S. Monahan, etc.