Yesterday I posted some shots of my kids on there first Castle exploration. Today here are my shots from the Rock of Dunamase. The Rock was the first ruin I had shot back in May 2011, and I remember how pleased I was with the results at the time. Oh how times have changed. Its quite amazing to see the difference in the images from back then and what I shot at the weekend. If I shot the old images now they would be most definitely deleted, but I guess that is a good thing as it shows just how far I have progressed during this time. If your brave enough you can read the original post HERE. Some of the information about the great history and archaeology of this great site comes from the guys at Abarta Heritage. Please take a moment and check out the link at the end of this post where you can hear the story for yourself with their free audio guides.
I will try not to bore anyone whom has seen my earlier post, but for those of you whom have not, were is a brief Ruin-hunter summary. The Rock of Dunamase (Dún Masc, “the fort of Masc” in Gaelic) is believed to date back to the 9th century, and as the name suggests there was a fort constructed here, probably a wooded one to start with and it may have belonged to an Irish Chieftain or other person of importance known as Masc. The earliest mention of Dún Masc comes from the ‘Annals of the Four Masters’, which tells of a Viking raid here in 843AD and that the Abbott of Terryglass being killed.
The Rock stands on a rocky outcrop in the center of flatland’s at a height of 150ft, which makes it an ideal site for a fortification as it would be quite easy to defend.It consists of an outer wall with a Barbican gate. Inside this is another Curtain wall with the main gate house in the center. Once through the main gate you enter the lower ward, At the top of the ward stands what was once known as the Great Hall. There is little evidence of significant walls being built to the rear of the great hall, this would be due to the fact that there is a natural defensive feature here in the shape of what would have been a sheer cliff face.Although there is little archaeological evidence to support it, many say that the Greek cartographer Ptolemy recorded Dunamase on a map under the name Dunum back in the 2nd century. Weither Dunum was indeed Dunamase .is anyone’s guess, but it would be rather cool if this was true.
During the Norman invasion of Ireland back in the 12th century the Rock is said to have undergone some heavy fortifications. It was part of the dowry of Aoife, daughter of the former king of Leinster Diarmaid mac Murchadha whom initiated the Norman invasion. After the marriage of Aoife to the Norman Knight Richard De Clare, which took place in Waterford city, Dunamase became the most important Norman stronghold in the Laois area. It eventually changed hands, passing on to the Marshall family after the marriage of Isabel the daughter of Aoife and Richard De Clare to William Marshall.
To cut a long story short, Dunamase passed through various hands over the centuries before been forfeited by the crown in 1330AD. By 1350 AD it was said to be in a ruinous state. Local legends suggest that Cromwell put the Rock under fire during his excursions through Ireland to prevent it from being used by the native clans. Moving on to the 18th century, a Sir John Parnell is said to have started building a banqueting hall within the ruins and this work incorporated medieval architectural details taken from other sites in the area. The Rock has been classified a national monument and is under the care of the OPW.
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Reblogged this on James' World 2.
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Superb collection of B&Ws Ed 😀
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Thanks Mate, glad you liked them, 🙂
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Great shots Ed. Forgot to thank you, after reading your post yesterday it gave me the kick up the ass to update my own site! Neglected it for the last six weeks, too busy updating various local club sites.
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Superb!
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🙂 Thank you
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superb. another beautiful post !
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The photography really has progressed since the first post. Excellent photos.
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Many Thanks Alex, 🙂
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Thanks Alex 🙂
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I really like your establishing shot on this post.
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Thanks Rob, can you tell which ones were taken with a camera phone? 🙂
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At first look, nothing stood out – in reviewing my only guess would be those that were not 100% straight in the frame – as I have difficulty with that when I shoot with my phone.
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Found it hard myself, I had to check the exif data to tell which was which,
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Great shots Ed, like the BW. Been meaning to visit Dunamase myself sometime. Your images give me the inspiration to get out there soon.
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Thanks Robert, I would definitely recommend a visit here, it can tend to be busy at the weekends, so if you can get up there during a weekday, go for it.
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Ed-I appreciate not only the beautiful photos but the history.
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Thanks Sue, 🙂
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So beautiful..!! The history, the ruins, and the stories of Ireland haunt me.!! I am in awe…
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Thank you, 🙂
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Fantastic photos, Ed! Some of your best, I would say.
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Ah thanks Jo 🙂
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I`ve always loved black and white photo`s, they seem to have more definition and depth of field. I used to do a lot with b/w film but have now gone digital. Although there are many different colours we can use in digital they never seen to be the same unless you have an expensive camera. 🙂
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For sure, I have never had the opportunity to learn film. So digital has been all I have known the last three years. I just love the mood and effect that mono has on these wonderful sites. 🙂
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Wonderful work as always, Ed! Thanks to folks like you, the rest of us get to explore these grand old ruins right alongside you.
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Thanks for opening my eyes and undrstanding to a part of our world I would not have known any other way. I appreciate your comments as well as the photos.
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it’s always a pleasure to see your great photo’s Ed. Love them.
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Many Thanks, 🙂
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Beautiful pictures!! Cheers! 🙂
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Thank You 🙂
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Thanks for letting me camp out in your blog for a little while today. I had a great time and tried to leave my campsite as good as when I arrived. I’ll be back!
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Thanks Russell, you are welcome anytime, 🙂
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It’s amazing how similar some of Dunamase’s architecture and stonework is to that of the Ancestral Puebloan ruins here in southwestern Colorado (dating back to around 1200 AD). Great photos, and I love the history behind them. 🙂
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Thanks Carolyn, Thats really interesting, I must look into them, 🙂
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Stunning shots Ed! Makes me want to book a flight to visit 🙂
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You should visit, there are many other wonderful places to explore, 🙂
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Great Job!
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Thank you, 🙂
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Thank you for following imaginenewdesigns. I have decided to follow your blog too. The pictures and the history of the Rock of Dunamase are fascinating. Excellent work! 🙂
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My pleasure, delighted you liked them, 🙂
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This is just the most incredible place! Ive never been but I want to go there now! Your photography is amazing…the brooding atmosphere just leaps out of each and every image…defo a building with a story to tell.
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For sure, Hopefully I will get up there soon 🙂
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Great shot Ed, excellent in B/W
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Thank you Simon, The Rock was the first rune I ever shot, and I love going back there any chance I get 🙂
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