Barony of Decieswithout Drum
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I.T.A. Topographical and General Survey Natural Features, Antiquities, Historic Associations, Etc. Barony of Decies Without Drum Town or Village Abbeyside Parish Abbeyside County Waterford TOPOGRAPHY Brief description of outstanding scenic views in the district, natural attractions, or unusual topographical features. The parish of Abbeyside is bounded on the N.W. by the Ph. of Kilgobinet, on the N.E. by Kilrossenty, on the East by Stradbally and on the South by the sea. The land, except in the northern portion of the parish, is low-lying and very fertile. To the north lie the wooded hills of Cloncoskeran and Glendine. The view from the top of the “Pike” hill, as one approaches from Waterford, is very pleasant. The valley, which is thickly wooded, dips steeply at this point, and then slopes gently to the sea-shore. Dungarvan Bay, the Cunnigar, the Ring peninsula and the vast expanse of ocean to the east present a most pleasing picture. For about a mile in the direction of Dungarvan from the foot of the “Pike” hill, the road is lined on both sides with trees which arch overhead, and add to the picturesque scene a tone of peace and quiet. There are two first-class roads, the main Dungarvan – Waterford road and the Dungarvan – Tramore “Coast Road”. As time goes on, more and more Dungarvan business people are building private residences in Abbeyside, and several new houses have been built during the past few years. GEOLOGY Brief notes on unusual geological features, such as caves, eskers, etc. No unusual geological features or caves worthy of note. MANSIONS, CASTLES AND ESTATES of imposing character Location and brief description. Owner. Past associations. Libraries or art collections? Gardens? Open to visitors? Admission charge? Cloncoskeran: Miss Nugent, descendant of the Nugent-Humble Family, is the present owner of the Cloncoskeran estate and demesne. I interviewed Miss Nugent twice during my work in this parish, but as she was rather busy and otherwise engaged, I could not get any details regarding the past associations of the family, or if there are any art collections in the house. She told me however, that she intended getting the avenues and walks about the demesne repaired, from which the scenery in this place could be enjoyed much better. She also promised to look up some records and notes, and to give me all the information I required at an early date. I shall supply this information later. ANTIQUITIES Abbeys, Castles, Fortresses, Round Towers, Early Churches, Sculptured Crosses, Stone Circles, Ogham Stones, Cairns, Souterrains, Pillar Stones, Cromlechs, Forts, Raths, Moats, Tumuli or ancient monuments of any kind. Exact location of each with short description, noting condition, etc. Relate local legend or tradition associated with building or object. State if in charge of Office of Public Works. Right of way to public? Admission charge (if any). Name and address of caretaker, or where key is kept. Abbey Ruin at Abbeyside I take the following extract from Canon Power’s History of Waterford and Lismore, p.55: “In Abbeyside are the ruins of a Priory of Augustinian hermits, whence the place derives its name. The remains comprise the low square tower of the monastic church, with side walls and east gable of the choir. The tower is incorporated with the modern Catholic Church [Parish Church], to which its elaborate stone ribbed basement vaulting serves as entrance porch. Adjacent to the monastic ruin is a large ruined castle which belonged to the McGraths. The priory was founded in 1295 by ancestors of the Earls of Desmond; it was further patronised by the McGraths and by the O’Briens of Comeragh. The house, which was of no great size or importance, was suppressed under Henry VIII, and later on its property was given to Sir William Taaffe. Though formally suppressed the community managed to keep up some sort of succession in Dungarvan etc.” O’Donovan gives a very detailed account of this abbey [O’Donovan’s Letters, Arts. 88 and 89]. It is still in a good state of preservation. The walls, east gable and windows are still intact. The stone bearing the inscription “Hic jacet Donaldus McGrath 1400”, burial place of Donal McGrath, one time owner of the adjacent castle and adjoining lands, is still fairly easily legible, though partly covered with clay and earth. It lies beneath what was formerly the N.E. window of the Abbey, but what is now the only entrance to the ruin. I removed most of the clay and earth which partly covered the stone. Fr. Dunphy, P.P. informed me that he intends getting the stone raised. Early Church at Clonea Again quoting from Canon Power’s History, p.56: “The ruined church at Clonea, standing within its ancient cemetery, preserves in its round-headed and wide splaying south window a pre-Invasion or old Irish feature. The church consisted of nave and chancel, communicating by a pointed chancel arch 10 feet 3 inches high by 6 feet 9 inches wide. All trace of the chancel, which was evidently a later addition, has disappeared, but the nave is in a good preservation --- 35 feet long by 21 feet wide, with walls about 11 feet in height and 3 feet thick. The most notable single feature of the ruin is the round-headed widnow just alluded to; this is 22 inches by 9 inches esternally and splays to 6 feet 6 inches by 3 feet 4 inches within. Two styles of masonry are distinguishable in the building --- a semi-cyclopean below and regular coursed rubble above. Burials took place in this cemetery until about 3 years ago. Situation: The ruin is situated beside the farm house of Mr. P. Meeney about 200 yards N. of the “Coast Road” from Dungarvan to Tramore at a point about three and a half miles East of Dungarvan. It is marked on the O.S. map. Castles Cloncoskeran: O’Donovan’s Lettes, Art. 92: “In the townsland of Cloncoskeran…about two miles North East of the town of Dungarvan, stands on low marshy ground the ruin of the castle of Cloncoskeran. Only 24 feet of the length of the north side, ten feet of the west side connected with it, and ten feet of the south side remain up to a height of about 45 feet. The walls are grouted, 4 feet in thickness and built of hammered stones on rather a rude style of masonry. Its doorway and all its windows are entirely disfigured.” “It is said that this castle was built by a gentleman called Builtearach Dubh, who had more sense than all the men in the Decies put together”. Notes: This old ruin is still standing, and very much in the same state of preservation as it was when O’Donovan visited it 100 years ago. Portion of the spiral stairway leading to the top of the castle may still be seen, and an archway inside, about 20 feet in height is also intact. The north wall is well preserved. Cloncoskeran was a stronghold of the Shanahan Family, from whom the Nugent-Humble Family, who own a large estate in this district is descended. The original name of this family was Shanahan. Afterwards, through inter-marriage the name became Nugent-Shanahan, and later still Nugent-Humble. Miss Nugent is the present owner of the estate. Miss Nugent, whom I interviewed, told me that she had some old notes on the history of the castle, which were mis-laid at the moment. She would, however, look them up and let me have them at a later date. I shall supply later any further information I may receive. Abbeyside Castle: This old castle is now entirely destroyed. A few broken blocks of masonry lying about show its site. This castle [according to Fr. Dominic O’Daly’s History of the Geraldines, p.46] was built by the Fitzgerald Family. It was afterwards occupied by the McGraths, one of whom --- Donal McGrath --- is buried in Abbeyside Abbey ruin. Clonea Castle: This was built in comparatively recent times, and is a tower rather than a castle. It was built by a Mr. Maguire, and consists of a square tower of which only the shell now remains. It is situated on the beach, within 200 yards of Clonea Nursing Home, which house was also the residence of the Maguires. The generally accepted story of Clonea Castle is that one of the Maguire Family, suffering from insomnia, built the castle on the beach, hoping that the soothing effect and sound of the waves, which wash right up to its walls, would cure his affliction. Situation: 4 miles east of Dungarvan and 200 yards east of Clonea Nursing Home. It may be approached from the strand at low water, or through the garden of the Nursing Home. Summer House on the farm of Mr Nugent, near the Hermitage, Abbeyside: This little house, which is now ancient, may be of some slight interest to visitors. It is curiously built, circular in shape, about 30 feet in circumference and 12 feet in height. The walls are hexagonal-shaped (rather on a hexagonal plan), and the roof hemispherical, and built of stone and cement. In each wall is a cavity. In one of these is the doorway, and there are two rectangular windows, one in each alternative wall. Inside there is room for one person to sit. There are several reasons put forward as to the origin of the little building, but the generally accepted one is that it was used as a summer house. Situation: About 100 yards west of the road which leads by the “Hermitage” from Abbeyside R.C.