The Colourful Heritage of Co. , Volume 2

The Colourful Heritage of was published in 2019 as an action of the County Cork Heritage Plan and funding was gratefully received from the Heritage Council, with further support through the Creative Ireland Programme. are in the midst of producing The Colourful Heritage of County Cork, Vol. 2 which is hoped to be published later on this year, 2020. The sole aim of these colouring books is to act as an education tool, by engaging the public to interact with our landscapes, which are heritage rich, while also reading about these sites and gaining information about them, in a format which is enjoyable too!

Images were submitted by many talented people last year and many more have been submitted for inclusion in the 2020 colouring book, Cork County Council are delighted to be able to showcase these remarkable drawings in past, present and future publications. The following document includes several images along with numerous extracts based around the heritage sites and monuments which have been included in The Colourful Heritage of County Cork, Vol. 1 and others which Cork County Council hope to be included in the upcoming Colourful Heritage of County Cork, Vol. 2.

Drombeg Stone Circle by Elena Turk

This stone circle, originally compromising of seventeen stones is aligned with the Winter solstice and is located close to Glandore village. The site also presents a fulacht fia and a hut site.

Figure 1: Drombeg Stone Circle.

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Kilnaruane Stone by Sara Nylund

This National Monument is located near the town of Bantry. This pillar stone was once part of a medieval high cross which once stood in an early Christian monastery on the same site.

Figure 2: Kilnaruane Stone.

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Barrahaurin Ogham Stone artists’ impression by R.A.S MacAlister

In 1845, when a souterrain was discovered inside a ringfort, the Barrahaurin Ogham Stone was identified. It is now a part of the University College Cork collection.

Figure 3: Barrahaurin Ogham Stone.

St. Martins Roman Catholic Church, Farnivane by Breda Buckley

St. Martins Roman Catholic Church is located in Farnivane and is part of Templemartin Parish. It is believed that the site of the first Catholic Church built after the Reformation, c. 1720, is located on what is now the current cemetery.

Figure 4: St. Martins Roman Catholic Church, Farnivane.

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Saint Gobnaits Well, Ballyvourney by Sara Nylund

Saint Gobnait is the patron saint of Bee Keepers. Many people come visit this holy well in Baile Bhuirne, particularly on her feast day which is celebrated on February 11th each year, as it is believed that the water in St. Gobnaits Well can cure illnesses.

Figure 5: Saint Gobnaits Holy Well.

St. Bartholomew’s Church of Ireland & Kinneigh Round Tower by Breda Buckley

Kinneigh Round Tower is unique in the way that it is the only round tower which consists of a hexagonal base that is 5/6m in height and then transitions into the classic round format. It stands on mounted rock which overlooks St. Bartholowmew’s Church of Ireland, a typical mid-19th century church.

Figure 6: St. Bartholomew’s Church of Ireland (left) & Kinneigh Round Tower (right).

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Artefacts – Camden Fort Meagher by Elena Turk

The image below, {Figure 7} displays several artefacts from Camden Fort Meagher which is located in . From the mid 1500’s when the fortification originated, to the early 1600’s when we had the Battle of , the invasion of the fort in 1690, the use of the fort as a prison in the 1830’s to the large scale construction in 1861, the handing over to the Irish authorities and the acquisition of the site by Cork County Council, it is true to say that an abundance of artefacts would have been unveiled over the centuries.

Figure 7: Various Artefacts uncovered in Camden Fort Meagher.

Newcestown Church by Breda Buckley

A Catholic Church was erected on the southern side of the existing graveyard in the early 1790’s following the easing of the penal laws. The Church of St. John the Baptist {shown in figure 10 below} was built in 1872 and is located in Newcestown.

Figure 8: Church of St. John the Baptist, Newcestown.

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Old Murragh Church by Breda Buckey

Figure 11 below depicts an artist’s impression of Murragh Church and Graveyard as it may have been prior to the 1800’s. It is believed that the church once stood in the centre of the graveyard but the remaining ruin wall is seen at the back of the graveyard today, this is as a result of the river changing course and moving northwards, eroding away almost half of the graveyard as well as the majority of the church building.

Figure 9: Artists Impression of what Murragh Church and Graveyard May have Looked Pre-1800.

Glanworth Castle by Rhoda Cronin

This 13th century castle is situated on a cliff which overlooks the Funshion River and was constructed in different phases. The image below portrays the castle as it looked in the 14th century.

Figure 10: Castle as it would have been in the 14th Century.

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Old Newcestown School by Breda Buckley

Figure 13 below illustrates an artists impression of the National School in Newcestown as it may have been prior to its closure in 1971. This building is now in use as a Community Hall.

Figure 11: The Old National School in Newcestown, now in use as a Community Hall.

Spike Island by Elena Turk

Spike Island is a large island located in , a star-shaped fort named Fort Mitchell was constructed on the island in the 19th century. This fortification acted as a defensive feature for Cork Harbour and was also used as a prison in later years. It has since become a major heritage tourist attraction and welcomes thousands of visitors annually.

Figure 12: Spike Island & some of the Buildings Present within the Star-Shaped Fortification.

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St. Martins Church of Ireland, Templemartin by Breda Buckley

St. Martins Church of Ireland was built in 1718 and presents a square, c. 50ft high tower on the front elevation.

Figure 13: St. Martins Church of Ireland, Templemartin.

Youghal Clock Gate Tower by Sara Nylund

Youghal Clock Gate Tower was built in 1777 and was used as a gaol for a period. It occupies the site of the late Trinity Castle, which is one of the five main fortifications of the 14th/15th century Walled Town. This site, which once divided the Main Town, which is now North Main Street from the Base Town, now known as South Main Street is accessible by the public, subject to and in compliance with public health guidance, 2020.

Figure 14: Youghal Clock Gate Tower.

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Crowley Public House, Bantry by Kieran Bennett

Figure 15: James J. Crowley Public House, Bantry.

Montaggart Ogham Stone

Figure 16: Montaggart Ogham Stone.

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This document exhibits just a small snippet of a number of the sites which have been included in the previous colouring book as well as those which are being considered/are proposed for inclusion in the upcoming publication of 2020. As you can see from just these images alone, Cork County has an abundance of heritage embedded within the landscape. These publications are great in the sense that they provide information while also allowing people of all ages to partake in an activity that is fun. These types of publications have and will hopefully continue to encourage people to go out and visit some of these publicly accessible sites, particularly during Heritage Week {in accordance with Public Health Guidelines} and increase the awareness which surrounds the County’s heritage – a primary aim of the County Heritage Plan.

From Wedge Tombs to Ogham Stones, for example in Figure 16, and from Natural Heritage Scenes to Historic Shopfronts {See Figure 15}, a plentiful supply of creative images will be presented in The Colourful Heritage of County Cork Volume 2. The planning stage of this new publication is well underway and it is intended that same will be published by November 2020.

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