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Drombeg Stone Circle

This lovely recumbent stone circle is locally known as the Druid’s Altar, and is located on the edge of a rocky terrace with views of the sea about a mile away. The word Drombeg means ‘the small ridge’. Of the original 17 pillars of smooth sided local sandstone erected in a circle of 9.5m (31ft) in diameter, only 13 remain. To the left of the northeast entrance is a portal stone its opposite is the long recumbent which has two egg-shaped cup marks (one with a ring around it). The circle stones have been shaped to slope upwards to the recumbent itself. The midpoint of this stone was set in line with the winter solstice sunset viewed in the distant hills. The light from the solstice usually forms a straight line but it’s not always precise.

Excavations in 1957 and 1958 by O’Kelly revealed cremated bones in a deliberately broken pot wrapped with thick cloth and buried near the centre of the circle.

Labbacallee Wedge Tombs

The name of the tomb derives from ‘leaba Caillige’- the Hag’s Bed. Wedged tombs in Ireland date from the Bronze Age. Labbacallee Wedge Tomb is one of the largest tombs there is and it’s absolutely huge! Just 2 stones cover the front chamber. One large one and one small one, which is cracked and supported by a brick column. To the back of the small chamber separated by a slab from which one comer has been trimmed, which is covered by a single slab.

The back wall of the smaller chamber has buttresses set at right angles to it, giving it a very arty design look. To the front of the main chamber by a large slab, are the remains of a very large portico. You can still see remnants of the u-shape cairn kerb around it. It was once compared to the French gallery graves.

Kilcrea Abbey

Cormac Laider Mac Carthaigh founded Kilcrea abbey in 1465. At that time west Cork, Blarney and Macroom were known as Muskerry. He made it for monks who were Franciscan. Kilcrea Castle was built nearby. Cromwell lived in Ireland around 1650 and his soldiers stayed at Kilcrea abbey. Cormac dedicated the abbey to Saint Brigit. The monks spent most of their time praying and copying the gospel. Sadly Kilcrea Abbey is now a ruin but it’s still very beautiful to look at. The state now owns the 533 years old ruin. Cormac died in 1494.  He is buried at Kilcrea Abbey. There are lots of other gravestones in the Abbey.

As regards to structure and architectural quality, the friary was, and still is, historically a masterpiece of its time. More in Elaborate in architectural features than other Franciscan houses in County Cork it is situated beside Spenser’s “Gentle Mulla” (Awgeg River).  Indeed the edifice presents a rather religious awe-inspiring scene.  The Abbey covers two well defined periods of architecture in structure. Built in the whole of rubble, and limestone masonry, the original 13^th century work of the transitional or early pointed type had red sandstone dressings for the windows; the later insertions are of limestone, most of which was taken from the nearby Ballyhoura hills. The site of the abbey is interesting in that it was built on a shelving area towards the river, which necessitated the erection of crypts, a rare feature in this church.  The principal crypt is entered from a cellar, which was under a part of the conventional building. The crypt is lighted by two trefoil-headed lancet windows with large inward splays. There is a second or sub-crypt under the above.  It is of smaller dimensions and is entered by rectangular opening in the floor of the upper crypt, lighted by two lancets. It could be argued that these crypts represent the one major fault in this building.

It also, however, displays the sheer skill of the builders who. Perhaps, skilfully took advantage of the natural features of the site. On entering the abbey one is introduced to years of painstaking and often extremely difficult craftsmanship. Today of course perhaps less than a half of the craftsman’s genius has survived. It is, however, enough to capture our admiration for, unlike today, these men were working with extremely crude instruments but nevertheless produced almost perfect work. The entrance is by a doorway in the West gable, over which rests two lancet windows of early English character, portions of the dressings of which are of sandstone. On the left as you enter is an altar tomb inserted in the North Wall of the nave. It exhibits a foiled and moulded arch, having a label decorated with the tooth ornament. The jambs have clustered shafts with plainly sculptured caps and moulded bases.

Buttevant Abbey

On examining the historical record of Buttevant one cannot but be impressed. It saw battles, intrigues, alliances, feuds, examples of outstanding bravery and cowardice. In some aspects of the nation’s history such as the confrontations which the ascendancy and the problems of the Land, it seemed to be the epitome of the action.  Its greatest days are now long gone but is was once the center of what was virtually a small empire, Buttenvant, indeed ‘Bothon’ as first called in ancient documents, officially came into existence between the years 1200-1237. To pinpoint an exact date would be somewhat misleading in that various land deals took place between the crown and vassal in and around Buttevant as that we know today. Out of the land dealings one family above all became dominant, namely the Barry’s. By charter William de Barry gained procession of in and around the years 1206-1225.  King John was ruler in England at this time. The de Barry’s or Barry’s also colonized a great part of Southern and Eastern Cork. They, in effect, represented a major stronghold of crown influence essential in counteracting such Gaelic Irish groupings as the O’Brien’s in Thomond or the Mac Carthy in West Cork and Kerry.

As was commonplace, the Barry’s in Buttevant set about bolstering the structural foundations of the society they embodied. To do so they set about founding religious orders which they hoped would have a calming influence. The first of the religious orders to take up residence in Buttevant was the Augustinians. To accommodate this order, a large abbey was built in Buttevant nearly half a mile from the mode-day town.  It was in the year AD 1229 that this abbey was erected by Robert de Barry, and dedicated to St Thomas. The second and perhaps more prophetic order to come to Buttevant were the Augustinians. To accommodate this order, a large abbey was built in Buttevant nearly half a mile from the modem-day town.  It was in the year AD 1229 that this abbey was erected by Robert de Barry, and dedicated to St. Thomas.  The second and perhaps more prophetic order to come to Buttevant were the Franciscans.  For these also an abbey was built. It was built in the year 1251. This abbey, the ruins of which can be seen in Buttevant town today, will provide the core subject of this chapter. It is important however, to point out first of all, how important Buttevant had become, a walled town, one of the most important geopolitical centers in the country.

Barryscourt Castle

Barryscourt Castle was the seat of the Barry family from the 12^th to thee 17^th centuries.The present castle is a fine example of the 15^th century tower house with 16^th century additions and alterations. The bawn wall with three comer towers is largely intact. The ground floor of the keep houses an exhibition of the history of the Barry’s and Barryscourt Castle.

Conna Castle

Conna castle is situated at the east end of Conna just off the main road to cork. This Tower House is perched on a rock overlooking the Bride River. Sir Thomas Fitzgerald lived here until his death in 1599. The castle was later granted to Richard Boyle. In present times it sets the scene for an annual rock concert, held every June.

Drishane Castle

An Drishean means “The Place of the Briars”. The Castle was built by the Mc Carthys between 1436 and 1450, and has a beautiful view of the Chain Mountains, starting with Claragh, which run in an uninterrupted line to Killarney.

The Wallis Family took over the castle and lands in 1719 but when in 1900 the era of the landlords came to an end the Wallis family sold the estate. In 1990 the sisters of infant Jesus bought it from its owner for boarding school until its closure in 1992. Drishane castle is situated in Millstsreet, Co Cork.