Moving on with my recent trip around county Laois, I was driving through the Great Heath when I spotted something interesting. Yes right on the roadside was this fantastic Ring Barrow. For anyone whom does not know a barrow is basically an ancient Neolithic burial site which was covered by a mound of earth. There were a number of different styles such as ring, bowl, long and bell barrows. The most common type I know of is the ring type which is made by digging a circular trench or fosse around a central burial.
It would seem that there are quite a number of these ancient burial sites scattered around the Heath, similar to the Curragh in Kildare. This time i did not take the time to explore further to find these, but hopefully later in the year I can return and find some more. The Heath itself is a National Heritage area and along with possibly thirteen other such Barrows there is supposed to be a number of Iron Age Rath’s nearby. These lands were once part of the ancient territory of Ui Criomhchainn and made up a part of the great plain of Magh Roicheat or Morette. Nearby you can find the remains of Morett Castle which was once one of the many Geraldine Castles belonging to the Earls of Kildare.
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Reblogged this on Rick Bowers and commented:
Nice!!
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I did not know that a Ring Barrow is an ancient burial site
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amazing ed, looking forward to your future explorations – thanks a lot
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Thank you, glad you liked it 🙂
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You really have a knack for spotting things of interest while driving around –
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LOL, A trained eye, Im shocked that I havent crashed. I spend more time looking around me that on the road. I should really invest in a driver 🙂
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Hi Ed,
Following your blog is like being on a guided tour of Ireland! I’m expanding my vocab and learning Irish history. I really like your work, and your adventures are inspiring!
Cheryl
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Wow, thanks Cheryl, Its become a passion mixing travel, photography, history and anything else that can be thrown in, really glad you like it.
Now all I need to do is win the Lottery and I can do this full time 🙂
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Thanks for a view that i might never see, but find close to my heart.
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Thank you, glad tat you enjoyed it 🙂
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Interesting – who’s been digging around there?
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I never heard of a ring barrow. I always learn something on your posts. Thanks.
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My pleasure, Ive known about them but this was the first time I got to see one in person, 🙂
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