54667

leagan TCD

[sic]

"On the east side of the parish is Lugnaquilla, the highest mountain in Wicklow, being 3039 feet above the sea. The summit of this mountain forms a table land presenting a smooth green sod and is a fine sheep and cattle pasture for summer months. The Slaney river takes its source at a quarter of a mile north from the summit of this mountain and winds its course towards the west through the middle of the parish...After the disturbances of 1798 a barrack was erected at the foot of the mountain in Leitrim townland but it has been lately disposed of to a private individual. In Lower Castleruddery townland is a druidical circle of stones about 90 feet in diameter. Forty two large stones form the ring, two of which have very thick coatings of quartz. Skeletons of the elk have been found in a pond a quarter of a mile S.E. of this ancient circle. According to tradition there was formerly a convent in Kelshanore townland but the site of it can only be pointed out.

"See page 43 book 1" [dúch];

Very close to the site of the convent is shewn the site of a grave yard called by the old people Creghorn where quantities of human bones were dug up about 12 years ago. In Castlequarter townland are the ruins of a church and castle pretty close to one another but parts only of the foundation can be traced. The ruins of the church is in a very small grave yard not now in use. In Ballintruerbeg is the ruin of a castle, the E. and S. walls only partly standing. The highest part (the S.E. corner) is only about 12 feet. The site of a castle is pointed out in Upper Ballyhubbock and there was formerly a castle in Lower Castleruddery where now Castleruddery House stands. In Stranahely townland is shewn a spot where it is said Cavanagh (an Irish commander) had a camp. The ruins of two large houses built by Col. Percy about the year 1700, one at Seskin and the other at Snugborough, are still to be seen some of the side walls yet remaining...

There are several raths and moats in the parish, the two most worthy of notice are those in Knockendaragh and Lower Castleruddery. On the top of the hill in Brusselstown there is an ancient ring enclosing an area of about 10 [and a half] acres. The ring is formed of large unhewn blocks of stones piled up several feet high. It is a splendid object of antiquity. The north, east, and south sides of the hill are very steep, there being a difference of 618 feet in half a mile on the north side, 484 feet in half a mile on east side and 405 feet in a quarter of a mile on the south side. Tradition says that formerly a boar was kept in the ring, that it was so large that it filled the whole area, that where it required water it could stretch its neck down to the stream in the hollow, a distance of [three quarters] of a mile. It is also said that the hill took its name (Brisselstown) from this extraordinary boar."

D[omnach]. mór: in Imayl, d. Dublin, Tax., Cr. an. 1267, Bran. 91 b; ¶ Donaghmore in Omayle, Sp. 1606, p. 63; ¶ Douenach mor in d. Glendaloch, Cr. 1192, Sw. 1200; ¶ in Ui Muredaig, Cr. 1173, circ. d. mór; ¶ i toeb Cille Dara, fri Cill anair, Lh. 117, 118.