The Scientific Tourist through Ireland: in which the traveller is directed to the principal objects of antiquity, art, science & the picturesqueWalford, Thomas
History
The Scientific Tourist through Ireland: in which the traveller is directed to the principal objects of antiquity, art, science & the picturesque
Walford, Thomas
Ireland -- Description and travel
of six feet long, with which most of the abbey is cased without.
Notwithstanding this, some ashen keys having in past ages been dropped
on the walls and insinuated into the interstices, they have now become
large trees, and add much to the solemnity and singularity of the
place: unfortunately, the action of the roots on the walls threatens a
speedy ruin to great part of this venerable edifice.
THURLES, 18 m. N. of Clonmell, is not only a place of considerable
inland trade, but has long been a favourite residence of the Catholic
primates of Munster, who carefully preserve various relics of St.
Cormac. Here are the ruins of an ancient Castle, built upon a very
extensive plan by the first Earl of Ormond in the 14th century. It
surrounds a large area, and is flanked by several towers both round
and square, with a lofty semicircular gateway. Like many other castles
in this part of the country, it is a monument of the ravages of the
Parliamentary forces during the civil wars. See ruins of St. Mary's
Ch., built in 15th century, now falling rapidly into dilapidation;
neat modern Ch.; good Market-house; Barrack, formerly a mansion of
the Llandaff family; tower and some portion of an ancient Ch. of a
Carmelite monastery. About 2 m. S.W. on the banks of the Suir are the
very extensive remains of the Cistertian Abbey of the Holy Cross,
founded before the 12th century by Donogh king of Limerick, and long
esteemed as a spot of the greatest sanctity; and even in latter days
considered as a very fine specimen of sacerdotal architecture. The
Steeple, or Square Tower, is lofty, and attracts the eye at first
approach: it is supported by a lofty Gothic arch, and its workmanship
is highly finished. The body of the Ch. consists of a nave and aisles,
not very profuse in decoration; but the chapels have been highly
ornamented. The effect on entering the nave is very impressive, being
a noble expanse of 58 feet by 49, with an arcade of 4 arches on each
side opening into the lateral aisles. Passing through the choir, and
turning to the S., the visitor discovers two small chapels, each about
10 feet square, and between which is a double range of Gothic arches,
supported by twisted pillars, a spot supposed to be so holy that
the monks were always waked there previous to interment. Two other
chapels are seen on the north side; and in the eastern chapel, already
noticed, there is a very curious Gothic tomb, without inscription, but
said by tradition to be the sepulchre of a "good woman," who brought
many holy relics to the abbey. Longford Pass, a small village on the
road into Kilkenny, has ruins of several old Castles in its vicinity;
also Newark Park. At Temple More, a neat and well built village, see
handsome Ch. and spire; elegant mansion of the Carden family, and a
romantic seat and demesne belonging to the Marquis of Lansdown; with
numerous vestiges of ancient Castles.
MINERALS.
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