Category Archives: Landscape

Brownshill Dolmen

So yesterday I had to drive for an hour down to Carlow on a special mission for Santa Claus, which turned out to be a disaster. With Ryan and his older cousin Scott in the car I was determined not … Continue reading

Posted in Diary of a Ruinhunter, Historical, Landscape, Legends, Neolithic, Photography, Places of Interest, Ruins | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Dunamase Part 2: Return to the Rock

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Castles, Diary of a Ruinhunter, Historical, Landscape, Medieval, Photography, Places of Interest, Ruins | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 52 Comments

Bective Abbey

I have to admit, the large medieval Abbey ruins of Bective are probably the nicest I have had the chance to explore to date, with the exception of the Baltinglass Abbey in Wicklow, but Baltinglass has been a personal favourite … Continue reading

Posted in Castles, Diary of a Ruinhunter, Historical, Landscape, Medieval, Photography, Places of Interest, Religious Sites, Ruins | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

If You Go Down To The Woods Today!

Yesterday was the first Sunday in over a year that the entire family were together, with Hazel finished her work contract it was time for a well deserved family walk up the the local Moore Abbey forest. I purposely left … Continue reading

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Tlachtga and the Sacred Flame

As previously mentioned the flame which re lit every fire across the country at Samhain came from Tlachtga. Tlachtga or the Hill of Ward as it is now known named after a former owner from the 17th century was once … Continue reading

Posted in Diary of a Ruinhunter, Events, Halloween, Historical, Landscape, Legends, Nature, Neolithic, People, Photography, Places of Interest, Religious Sites | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Monasteroris Friary & Castro Petre

After visiting the church and graveyard I was trying to figure out the best approach for getting to the two mounds which I new little about at the time. I could have jumped the graveyard wall and made my way … Continue reading

Posted in Castles, Diary of a Ruinhunter, Historical, Landscape, Medieval, Photography, Places of Interest, Religious Sites, Ruins | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Grange Abbey

I had almost forgotten all about this ruin, which I had previously shot about six months ago. It was only when I was updating my Diary of a Ruinhunter map that I noticed it was missing. It took some searching, … Continue reading

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Oughaval Church

Moving on to the second site I recently visited with my newly  recruited  Ruinhunters, was the site of Oughaval church near Stradbally in Laois. It is a picturesque old ruin which can only be appreciated fully by exploring. From the … Continue reading

Posted in Diary of a Ruinhunter, Historical, Landscape, Medieval, Photography, Places of Interest, Religious Sites, Ruins | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Priory of De Laude Dei

I came across the Abbey at Ballyboggan purely by chance after taking a wrong turn. I was actually heading along the Kildare/ Offaly border in search of a couple of De Bermingham Castles which I had missed on by last … Continue reading

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CillBharrog Church & Cemetery

I came across this little ruined church on the way out to Howth recently. It is situated on a raised piece of land right on the coast road with some great views of the surrounding area. In early Christian times … Continue reading

Posted in Diary of a Ruinhunter, Historical, Landscape, Medieval, Photography, Places of Interest, Religious Sites, Ruins, Sacred Well | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 45 Comments