ATHCARNE CASTLE

Map Reference: O031647

This is a 16th century four-storey tower-house with a ruined 19th century house attached. A spiral stairway rises within a projecting turret in the NW corner to roof level. There are some roof weepers but all crenellations have been removed except at the SW corner. The tower is vaulted abover the ground floor and there are some excellent wicker-marks in the vaulting. There are at least two rooms at each level and the walls of the upper rooms have had lath and plaster finish. The three-storey 19th century house is stone-faced and brick-lined. It has a S porch with crenellations. There are remains of a two-storey extension on the N side. There is a turret at the SW corner and an armorial plaque on the S wall. This house replaces a late-16th century house on the same site and incorporates some of the stone.

ATHLUMNEY CASTLE

Map Reference: N877674

This is a 15th century tower-house with four storeys plus attic. There are projecting corner towers. The castle has a barrel vault above the ground floor and access to this level is through a modern doorway in the S wall. The original entrance was in the W wall and was protected by a murder-hole leading from a small room below the first floor level. Access to the upper floors is by a spiral stairway in the NW corner. There is a gallery in the N wall at the upper level of the vault. There is a fireplace at the first floor and a garderobe at the SE corner. A mural stairway in the S wall leads down to the small room from which the murder-hole leads. A mulit-gabled three-storey house is attached at the S and W. It is four bays long with fine mullioned windows and probably dates from the early 17th century. The large fireplace in the S wall is flanked by ovens and there is another oven near the N wall. A projection in the W wall near the S end housed the stairs. There is an oriel window in the S wall at the first and second floors. The doorway in the E wall has pecked decoration and a small carved knot. The castle ws burned in 1649 by the Maguires to prevent its capture by Cromwell and again in 1690 after the Battle of the Boyne to deny William of Orange.

BALRATH CROSS

Map Reference: O001648

This late-16th century wayside cross has a Latin inscription asking a prayer for the soul of John Broin. Beneath it is another inscription in English indicating that the cross was 'beautified' in 1727 by Sir Andrew Aylmer and his wife Lady Catherine. On the east face there is a Pieta while on the west face there is a Crucifixion. There are several other smaller carvings including two heads. The cross stands near Balrath Crossroads about 2.5km WSW of Gaulstown Cross.

BECTIVE ABBEY

Map Reference: N860600

This Cistercian abbey was founded in 1147 by Murchad O'Maeil-Sheachlain and is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. It was the first daughter house of Mellifont. There are substantial remains of the cloister, a series of triple arches.One of the pillars has a mask on one side and a figure on the other. Little remains of the church which had a south aisle, the arcade of which is now blocked. There is a tower at the NW corner of the church. All the other buildings run south from the church. These include a massive tower at the SW corner of the cloister. This tower is four storeys high with crenellations. There are fireplaces in the three upper rooms. A projection at the SW corner houses a spiral stairway which is fragmentary above the first floor. A series of two-storey buildings bounds the cloister at the south and west. They have very fine vaults at the ground floor. The abbey stands close to the Boyne about 6.5km NE of Trim Castle.

CARRICKDEXTER CROSS

Map Reference: N937735

This monument is also known as Baronstown Cross and was erected by Jennet Dowdall and her husband Oliver Plunkett c1607. It is similar in appearance to other Dowdall crosses at Duleek and Gaulstown but has less sculpture and more inscription. There are heraldic shields on all four sides. It stands beside the old Slane-Navan Road about 3km SW of the Hill of Slane.

CASTLEKEERAN

Map Reference: N690773

Diseart Chiarain or the Hermitage of Ciaran was named after a monk of the nearby monastery of Kells, who should not be confused with either of the better known Co Offaly saints. The site was plundered by Vikings in 949 and by Dermot MacMurrough in 1170. In the 13th century it passed to the Knights Hospitallers and by the 16th century it was owned by the Plunketts. There are grass-grown remains of a small church about 14.5m by 7.5m. There are three almost intact High Crosses but none of them bears figure sculpture. However they have good moulding at the edges and one of them has some interlacing at the end of the arms. Such plain high Crosses are usualy called termon crosses and were used to define the boundaries of the monastic land. There is the base of a fourth cross. Tradition says that St Ciaran caught St Columba in the act of stealing this cross for his monastery at Kells. Columba dropped the cross in the river in his haste to escape. Beside the church is an Early Christian slab with a two-armed cross and an Ogham Stone with the inscription COVAGNI MAQI MUCOI LUGUNI. About 400m SW is St Ciaran's Well. The site is about 5km WNW of Kells.

CRUICETOWN CHURCH

Map Reference: N796845

This nave and chancel church is about 20m by 7m internally and was built about 1200. Within the nave is an undecorated font and several carved fragments. In the chancel is the double effigy tomb of Walter and Elizabeth Cruice which was carved in 1688. The effigies are surmounted by a head flanked by trumpet-blowing cherubs with possible crossbones below. The east end panel of the tomb has a very fine skull and crossbones and the north side has one fragmentary panel and one good panel showing the upper half of a winged being with a crown. The back wall of the tomb niche has a lengthy inscription. To the south of the church is a ring-headed cross with a short shaft. It was also carved in 1688. The west face features a Crucifixion on top of a skull and surmounted by a winged head. The east face also has a winged figure with a Madonna and Child near the base. About 200m NE of the church is an overgrown motte. The church stands on top of a small hill about 3.5km SW of Nobber.

DONAGHMORE

Map Reference: N885698

St Patrick is said to have founded the first monastery here. He placed his disciple St Cassanus in charge of it. The Round tower is about 26m high and was restored in the middle of the 19th century. It sits on a well-defined plinth with a triple offset. This is about 60cm high. There are no windows at the top but it is thought that they may have been omitted during the restoration. The round-headed doorway faces east. It is surmounted by a Crucifixion and flanked by two heads. The ruined church beside the Round Tower was built in the 15th century and replaced a Romanesque church on the same site. Donaghmore is close to the Navan-Slane Road, about 2.5km NNE of Athlumley Castle and about 1.5km WSW of Dunmoe Castle.

DOWTH PASSAGE TOMBS

Map Reference: O023737

The great mound at Dowth is about 85m diameter and 15m high. It is not as well preserved as the mounds at Newgrange and Knowth. In particular a large amount of cairn material has been removed on the western side. The mound covers two passage tombs which open near the western edge. The larger northern tomb is about 12.5m long and is cruciform with a two-chambered annex opening off the S recess. A stone basin lies in the centre of the chamber. Access to the entrance passage is by means of an iron ladder descending from a cage. An Early Christian souterrain runs from the base of the ladder and emerges from the mound NE of the cage. The smaller southern tomb is about 8m long with a short passage leading to a round chamber. There is a recess off the SE side. The mound has a good kerb and many of the kerb stones are visible. A number of kerb stones and some of the structural stones in both tombs bear megalithic art.

DULEEK CHURCH & HIGH CROSSES

Map Reference: O046684

St Cianan, a disciple of St Patrick, was in charge of the first church at Duleek in the 5th century. The monastery was plundered at least 10 times between the 9th and 12th centuries. The bodies of Brian Boru and other slain heries of the Battle of Clontarf rested here in1014 before being brought to Armagh for burial. The oldest structure is the short High Cross  which probably dates from the 9th century. It has a Crucifixion and other carvings include scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and symbols of two of the Evangelists. The ruined church is part of the Augustinian priory founded in the late 12th century. The buildings date mainly from the 13th and 14th centuries and the tower is probably 15thcenturu. A Round Tower from the earlier monastery stood close to the north wall of the church tower and left a scar in the stonework when it was removed. Within the church is a box-tomb to the Prestons and Plunketts. The weepers include St Catherine and St Peter and there is also a Crucifixion and the Instruments of the Passion. There is also avery fine double-sided effigy slab and the head and base of another High Cross.

THE DOWDALL CROSS, DULEEK

Map Reference: O046683

At the edge of the town is a memorial cross erected in 1601 by Jennett Dowdall. It is similar in design to the crosses at Carrickdexter and Gaulstown. It is richly carved with many saints, the Bathe coat of arms and a lengthy inscription.

DUNMOE CASTLE

Map Reference: N902702

This ruined castle stands close to the north bank of the River Boyne between Navan and Slane and commands a good view along the river in both directions. The four-storey castle was originally square with four round turrets at the corners. The two lower storeys were vaulted. A drawing of 1795 shows it more or less intact. The style of building suggests an early date but it was probably not built unti the 15th century. Cromwell is said to have fired on it on his way from Drogheda in 1649 but the amount of damage is not recorded. The lower storey is still intact but elsewhere only the S wall with its corner towers survives to full height. There is a spiral stairway in the SW turret. The two-storey building attached to the E may date from the 18th century.

FOURKNOCKS PASSAGE TOMB

Map Reference: O108620

This passage tomb differs from most other passage tombs in that the passage is short and the central chamber occupies most of the centre of the mound. The diameter of the mound is about 19m and the cruciform tomb opens to NNE. The chamber is about 6.5m by 7.5m and it has three shallow recesses. It is covered by a modern concrete dome. It is thought that th original roof may have been wooden. Two of the lintels have chevron decoration and one of them has lozenge decoration. Another stone has a possible representation of a human face but this requires a great deal of imagination. There are several other decorated stones but the four mentioned are the clearest. There is at least one ruined passage tomb nearby and a possible cremation mound.

GAULSTOWN CROSS

Map Reference: O026653

This monument is known as the 'White Cross' and may have been erected early in the 17th century by Jennet Dowdall. It is similar in shape to the Dowdall crosses at Carrickdexter and Duleek, but the style of carving is different. On the east face is a Crucifixion with the arms of the figure being held high above the head along the shaft of the cross. On the west face is a Virgin and Child and an inscription. There is also the arms of the Bathe and Dowdall families. It is thought that the base of the cross may be of earlier date and the cap may be later. The cross stands at the side of the road about 800m NW of Athcarne Castle. It is about 3.5km SW of Duleek and 2.5km ENE of Balrath Cross.

KELLS

Map Reference: N740759

The monastery at Kells was probably founded in the 6th century by St Columba. It was refounded in the early 9th century by monks fleeing from Iona after the Viking raids. However Kells itself was plundered at that time and its church destroyed. A new church was built in 814. In the 12th century the Augustinians established a priory here. The remains of the early monastery include five High Crosses (complete or fragmentary), a Round Tower and an early stone church. The E cross is unfinished. It has a Crucifixion and a panel of four figures. Elsewhere the cross has been outlined with rectangular panels ready to receive their figure carving. The N cross is represented by a conical base with interlaced ornament. The W cross has a base and part of a decorated shaft. The subjects include the Baptism of Christ and the Fall of Man. Nearby is the S cross or Cross of Patrick and Colmcille. It is richly decorated and the subjects include Daniel in the Lions' Den and the Three Hebrew Children in the Fiery Furnace. Close to this cross is a very fine Round Tower. It is about 27m high with a plinth up to 1m high. The round-headed doorway has inclined jambs and there is a faint carved head on the E jamb. Just outside the graveyard, on the N side, is a small rectangular building called St Columb's House. The original doorway was in the W and there is a chamber within the high-pitched roof. It is thought to have been built in 814.

THE MARKET CROSS, KELLS

Map Reference: N745757

The Market Cross, which for 300 years stood at the centre of the town, now stands close to the eastern edge, at the junction of R163 and N3. It probably dates from the early 10th century and is richly decorated with biblical scenes. These include the Fall of Man, the Sacrifice of Isaac, the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, and the Crucifixion. The artist was probably responsible for the Cross of the Scriptures, Clonmacnois, Durrow High Cross and Muiredach's Cross, Monasterboice.

KNOWTH PASSAGE TOMBS

Map Reference: N996734

This large mound measures about 90m by 80m and is 11m high. It has a verey fine kerb with more than 120 stones. The mound covers two large passage tombs aligned approximately E-W. The western tomb is 34m long and has a bent passage leading to a simple square chamber. A stone basin lies at the bend in the passage. The eastern tomb is 40m long. It has a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. A decorated stone basin lies in the N recess. Many of the kerb stones and large numbers of the structural stones of both tombs are decorated with megalithic art. Excavation revaled 16 smaller pasage tombs close to the large mound. The kerb of the central mound deviates slightly to avoid one of these tombs. This indicates that the larger mound was built at a later date. Some Early Christian souterrains have been found in the large mound and within some of the smaller tombs. Most of the smaller tombs now have a modern cover and appear as small grassy mounds surrounding the large central mound.In the 9th and 10th centuries Knowth was the seat of the kings of Northern Brega and a t the end of the 12th century the Anglo-Normans used it as a motte.

LOUGHCREW PASSAGE TOMBS

Map Reference: N570770 to N590780

This passage tomb cemetery is situated on two neighbouring hilltops, Carnbane East and Carnbane West. Collectively they are called Slieve na Calliagh or the Witch's Mountain and at least thirty tombs are known. Many of them are greatly ruined and only two are roofed. On Carnbane West excavation of the large Cairn G revealed that is contained no tomb. It has a well-defined kerb and is thought by some scholars to be a type of cenotaph. The other large tomb within this group is Cairn K. It contains a large burial chamber with five side chambers and a standing stone. Many of the stones are decorated. Excavation of Cairn H nearby revealed bone objects decorated in the La Tene style. The smaller tombs contain a number of decorated stones. However, exposure to the modern atmosphere has made the carvings fragile and faint. On Carnbane East the largest Cairn T has a large burial chamber with side chambers. Many of the stones of this cairn and of the smaller cairns are decorated. The large kerb stone diametrically opposite the entrance has a flat upper surface with a deeply incised cross. It may have been used as a Mass Station in Penal Times.

NEWGRANGE PASSAGE TOMB

Map Reference: O007727

This great mound is about 85m diameter and 11m high with a megalithic kerb. It was surrounded by a stone circle several stones of which remain. Excavation has shown that the circle was constructed later than the mound. It covers a cruciform passage tomb 24m long opening to SE. The entrance area has been reconstructed with a wall of white quartz, the stones of which were found fallen around the entrance during excavation. The large kerb in front of the entrance is covered with spirals, chevrons and lozenges. Several of the other kerb stones are decorated but this is the only one normally visible. Above the entrance is a reconstructed light-box which allows the rays of the rising sun on December 21 to penetrate to the back of the chamber. The light-box has some decorated stones and there are more such stones in the passage. The burial chamber has a magnificent corbelled roof and many of the stones are decorated. During excavation it was found that some stones had decoration on surfaces which would not be visible after construction of the tomb. This indicates that decoration took place before construction. There is a triple spiral on one of the stones in the middle recess. There are some stone basins in the recesses. Traces of several satellite tombs have been found but there is no indication of other tombs within the central mound.

NOBBER

Map Reference: N824865

In the old graveyard, beside the former Protestant church, is a very fine memorial slab to Gerald Cruice. It is dated 1619 and bears the figure of a mailed knight surrounded by a lengthy inscription. It is mounted on the graveyard wall. Elsewhere in the graveyard, and now almost hidden by moss and grass, are two other 17th century effigy slabs. One has a figure in relief with arms raised level with the ears. The hair and long garment suggest that it is a woman but it could be a cleric. Beside it is a slab with a coat of arms, below which is a skull and crossbones, bell etc. These motifs are flanked by a male and a female figure. The male has a pointed cap. Also in the graveyard is a round stone about 60cm diameter and 15cm thick. It is pierced by a hole about 20cm diameter. Near the gate of the graveyard is the conical base of a High Cross.

RATHMORE CHURCH

Map Reference: N746665

This small nave and chancel church has a belfry at the SW corner and a three-storey sacristy at the NE corner. At the ground floor of the sacristy is the double effigy of a knight and his lady. These probably represent Sir Thomas Plunkett (d. 1471) and Mary Cruice. Within the church, the altar has good weepers on the end panels. The figures include St Lawrence and an abbess with a crosier. The reconstructed sedilia to the right of the altar has a very fine fan-vaulted ceiling. There are several carved fragments on display in the church. These include the shaft of a font with good figure carving and a small slab with a carved maze. A fragment of a cross stands to the N of the church. It was erected by Sir Christopher Plunkett and his wife Catherine in 1519. It has good figure carving including St Lawrence and St Patrick.

ROBERTSTOWN CASTLE

Map Reference: N786842

This early-17th century house is three storeys high with attics. There are projecting turrets carried on corbels at the SW ans NE corners. They are very similar to those found on Scottish castles. They have very fine small keyhole-shaped defensive loops. A N wing was added at a later date. The ground floor is a series of vaulted rooms and the first floor is divided into three rooms. An interior doorway at the first floor has fine pecked decoration and there is a good two-light mullioned window in the W wall near the S end.

SKREEN CHURCH

Map Reference: N952605

Skreen Church is sited prominently on top of a hill and replaces an older church dedicated to St Columba. It is named after a shrine to the saint which once existed here. The present nave and chancel church was founded about 1341. The east gable is missing and there is a tower at the west end. There is a large window in the south wall and a small doorway in the north wall leads to a flight of steps. There are doorways in the north and south walls. On the outside, above the south doorway, is a carved panel featuring a cleric in full robes with staff and book. There is some decoration at the north doorway. The estimated height of the tower is 16m. It has a two-light west window. The tower is locked but there is possibly a stairway in the SE corner where there is a squinch. At the base is a collection of carved fragments and a reconstructed font. Near the church is a short-armed cross with a crude Crucifixion. It is about 1.5m high by 40cm wide and 20cm thick.

HILL OF SLANE

Map Reference: N962752

The Hill of Slane will always be associated with St Patrick who, in 433, lit the Pascal Fire, which symbolised the triumph of Christianity over Paganism. There is little definite knowledge of the history until 1512 when the Franciscan Third Order established a friary there. The ruins on the hill are in two groups. To the south is a church within a graveyard. At the W end of the church is a tower standing to full height. Above the arch of the tower is an ornate three-light window. At the top storey are two small windows at each face. Above the S windows on the outside is a carved mask. Within the tower is a narrow stairway. The church has a nave with a S aisle. In the graveyard are the gabled ends of an early tomb, possibly that of St Erc, who founded an early monastery here. Just inside the N wall of the graveyard is a dried-up holy well. The other building is known as the College. In was founded by Sir Christopher Flemmyng for four priests, four lay-brothers and four choristers. It has the remains of some fine mullioned windows and a number of decorated stones, including some carved masks. There are many fireplaces throughout the building and a large vaulted room within which is a collection of carved fragments. A spiral stairway at the corner of this room leads to roof level. Both the church and college continued in use until 1540. A short distance further west is a motte.

TARA

Map Reference: N920595

The Hill of Tara has featured in many of the ancient tales and legends of Ireland. from th 3rd century A.D. it was considered to be the seat of the High Kings of Ireland but it was probably important for many centuries before that. The oldest structure is the small Neolithic passage grave known as the Mound of the Hostages. This is about 21m diameter and 3.5m high. There is a decorated stone in the narrow passage. The largest structure is an earthwork called Rath na Rioch. It is an oval enclosure about 300m long by 200m wide. Within it are two conjoined raths named Cormac's House and the Royal Seat. To the south is a second large enclosure, Rath Laoghaire, about 120m diameter. Just to the north is another rath, the rath of the Synods, and beyond this is a linear earthwork called the Banquet Hall. This is a long hollow area surrounded by banks. Although it was the seat of the High Kings anyone appointed to that position tended to live in his own area and Tara was mainly used as a place of special assembly. After the rise of Christianity in Ireland it gradually lost its importance so that it was hardly used after the 7th century. It was finally abandoned by Mael-Shechlainn in 1022. The visitor to Tara may be disappointed. The site consists of a collection of grassy mounds. It is very difficult to photograph and a visit to the Interpretative Centre is necessary before the visitor can understand Tara.

TRIM CASTLE

Map Reference: N803567

Trim Castle has a massive square keep. It was built in 1220 by William Peppard. Wings project from three of the walls which are about 3m thick in places. The interior is bisected by a thin wall and there is at least one fireplace leading to a round chimney. The keep is three storeys high with small turrets at each of the corners. It has undergone extensive renovation and restoration. There are many remains of the outer defences. These include regularly spaced round towers in a curtain wall. There is a fine rectangular gatehouse (polygonal within), which has the channel for a portcullis and two murder-holes. On the opposite side of the ward is a smaller round postern gate which also had a portcullis and murder-holes.

THE YELLOW STEEPLE, TRIM

Map Reference: N803569

The Yellow Steeple is part of the Augustinian Priory of St Mary which was founded in the 13th century. There are two walls of a very tall tower with a two-light pointed window near the top. There are traces of vaulting above the ground floor and the fourth floor. The doorway is now capped by a lintel which appears to have come from a two-light window with ogee heads. To the left of the entrance is a sprial stairway which rises to roof level, but it cannot now be climbed owing to a large gap near the bottom.

ST PATRICK'S CHURCH, TRIM

Map Reference: N802573

Beside St Patrick's Cathedral (CoI) is a church ruin with a fine three-light window in the south wall. It has a square hood with two masks as stops. Some carved stone fragments have been collected inside the ruin. At the NW corner of the cathedral is a fine rectangular tower with a small projecting turret at its NW corner. Near the top of the tower are some small windows. One of these is surmounted by a mask.

ST JOHN'S FRIARY, NEWTOWN TRIM

Map Reference: N818568

At Newtown Trim, about 1.5km downstream from the castle, is the Friary and Hospital of St John the Baptist. This is an extensive ruin with a residential tower at one end. The tower is vaulted above the ground floor. The church has a good three-light window and there are remains of a number of vaulted rooms. There are some traces of a curtain wall with a small corner turret.

CATHEDRAL OF SS PETER & PAUL, NEWTOWN TRIM

Map Reference: N814568

Close to the cathedral is a small church, separate from the main buildings, containing a double effigy tomb. The figures are known locally as the Virtuous Man and Woman. It is the tomb of Sir Luke Dillon and his wife. The panels depict coats of arms and one short panel has kneeling weepers. Scattered on the tomb are many rusty pins and pebbles, which may indicate a local cure or good luck custom. On the outside wall of the church is a tomb niche with a decorated hood featuring a head with long plaited hair. The cathedral is a large rectangular church with some good lancet windows. There is a large double piscina. opposite this is a much worn effigy set in a recess behind a grid. There is some decoration at the windows and on the doorway which is blocked. A corbel stone on the wall has a carved angel. There are some traces of mural passages. The domestic buildings nearby are extensive. There is one good decorated window and some of the small windows have pecked decoration.