Outings of 2015 in Pictures

Juggling between sports fixtures and "organized bands of clouds" - some of our summer events had to be postponed, rescheduled, adapted to the circumstances.
The coach trip this year was first to Castletown House

and then to the Curragh with Dr Pat McCarthy.

Following that the first outing in June took us to Ballymacarbry where we met Michael Desmond who led us through the woods to discover two megalithic sites. Beyond the history, (from Bronze Age to the revolutionary years)  we also learned much about the plants growing wild and their dangers or benefits.

In July we met in St Patrick's Gateway Centre in the city, to be shown by Mr Julian Walton some of the remarkable headstones of the graveyard. Julian gave us a short talk beforehand (date on slide from a different lecture!)  and we went to the graveyard to identify some of the features, however the light was not the best due to the cloud cover and we adjourned to the church for a warming cup of tea!

 

 

 

The August outing to Tintern Abbey was cancelled and the outing to Seskinan Church -originally planned for July 12th - was rescheduled for August 16th.

On that day we met Dr Nora White (from the Ogham in 3D Project) and local historian Mr Brendan Coffey . We learned some of the history of the parish, and Dr Nora White showed us where the Ogham stones had been used in the building of the church, mostly as lintels. 

Coach Trip 2014: Spike Island & Camden Fort Meagher

Despite leaving Waterford under torrential rain,  members and friends remained confident, and by the time we arrived in Cobh the omen was good. We met Dr Pat McCarthy and after a quick crossing to Spike Island, we followed him back in time from the island's early dwellers to the current transformation.

After a light lunch in Cobh, we proceeded to Camden Fort Meagher. Over and under ground...

The day ended with a very nice dinner in  Youghal's Old Imperial Hotel. 

PROGRAMME OF SUMMER OUTINGS 2014

Thursday 5th June  Recent Excavations in Cathedral Square.

 Guided tour of recent excavation sites in Cathedral Square with Archaeologist Ms Orla Scully. Meet in Cathedral Square at 7.00pm.

Sunday 8th June Coach Trip to visit the Forts of Cork Harbour with guide Dr. Pat McCarthy.

Including boat trip to Spike Island and guided tour.
Guided tour of Camden Fort.
4 course meal in Old Imperial Hotel, Youghal on homeward journey.

 Thursday 26th June Tooreen Bronze Age Sites.

Guided tour of the Tooreen Bronze Age sites with guide Mr. Michael Desmond. Meet in the Community Centre car park, Ballymacarberry at 7.00pm

Sunday 13th July Our Mining Heritage

Visit to Bonmahon copper coast. Meet at the Copper Coast Geopark Centre, Bonmahon (located in the old Church of Ireland Church) at 3pm. Visit will include tour of the centre including a short film, followed by a guided tour of the Tankerdstown site.


Thursday 31st July Dunbrody Abbey: Guided tour of Dunbrody Abbey and Visitor Centre.

The centre is approx. 2 miles from the Passage East car ferry, drive from Ballyhack to Arthurstown and follow the R733 road to New Ross, or if travelling from New Ross, follow the R733 road to Arthurstown. Meet at the centre car park at 7.00pm.

August – Heritage Week We are hoping to arrange a final Thursday evening outing to coincide with Heritage Week 2014 (23rd to 31st August). Details to be confirmed closer to the date.

From Celtic Horizon Tours : In the Footsteps of Diarmuid MacMurrough

A guided tour of Irish roots and connections to Normandy, Paris, the Loire Valley & Nantes. For detailed itinerary click here

Granny Castle and Coach Trip 2013

Members and friends had a busy agenda to kick off the start of the summer season, first with the outing  led by Ben Murtagh to Granny Castle where members of the South Kilkenny Historical Society joined us, on June 6th.

Then on June 9th the coach trip was to Wexford, first stop Johnstown Castle Grounds & Agricultural Museum, 

and in the afternoon we met guide Monica Crofton of Wexford Walking Tours, for a tailor made tour of the town, starting at the Franciscan Friary, down Mary Street (ex Keyser Street) on to the quays, up to Selskar Abbey. Back on the coach to Barntown to visit the Church of Saint Alphonsus , a church designed by famous architect Augustus Pugin.

The day ended with a lovely meal in White's Hotel.

Find out more about Wexford History on Wexford Hub

In pictures: Coach Trip to Kinsale

The coach trip to Kinsale was a great success, and we were lucky enough since the clouds stayed on the other side of the bay. We first went to Charles Fort, where we met Mr Dermot Ryan who gave us an introduction to the history of the area, then we followed  OPW guide William Butler through the fort. After a short lunch break, we went to Kinsale and visited Desmond Castle and met once more Mr Dermot Ryan for a guided tour of the town. We made a detour before leaving, to see the monument commemorating the Battle of Kinsale, a large throne made from stone from the different provinces.
The day ended with a beautiful dinner at Greenbarn Bistro. 

More pictures of  Charles Fort here and the street walk and Desmond Castle here

 

The first part of the coach trip brought us to Charles fort where we were met by Mr Dermot Ryan who gave us the background of the history of  the Spanish Landing.

On the opposite side, the ruins of James Fort are still visible. 

 Inside Charles Fort, guide William Butler ( from Co Waterford!) was waiting for us and gave us an insight of what life in the Fort was, starting with a map of the Fort, in mosaic, he recounted how the fort came to be built, the purpose of each area and the several stages of construction.   

.Standing in front of what was the ordinary  soldiers barracks. 

The monument to the MacCarthy brothers

The Revival of the Coach Trip - Outing to the Boyne Valley

Over 40 members and friends were on the coach to the Boyne Valley on Sunday last, 19 June. Vice-chairman Eddie Sinnott remembered that 12 years previously as chairman he had to announce that the coach trip had to be abandoned, and it was his great pleasure to launch the revival of the all-day outing.We stopped at An Poitín Stil, Rathcoole, for tea and scones and other members joined us there, including Dr Pat McCarthy, expert in Military History.

En route to Brú na Bóinne we stopped briefly at a site where troops had been posted during the battle, unfortunately it was not possible to step out.

At the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, a short film gave a brief outline of the meaning of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. We had a look at the exhibits then took the shuttle bus to the site.

The guide was excellent and explained the complex history of the area and the structure of the passage tombs. He pointed out the various examples of megalithic(=giant stone) art (one-third of the megalithic art in Western Europe is contained there), it seems that the serpentiform (snake-like) motif is uncommon.

He showed us a reconstructed wood henge (timber circle) (as opposed to stone henge), told us about the artefacts found on site, and the possible interpretations of the ceremonies and rituals which took place so long ago. We then followed him inside the largest tomb, and got a 'flavour' of being inside...

Outside, we saw the outline of the ruins of a 12th century structure, and climbed to the top of the tomb to enjoy the view of the valley, with the Hill of Tara on the horizon.

Back on the bus, to the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre. After a quick snack, we had a most interesting guided tour of the museum and watched an audiovisual presentation of the battle.

A few minutes later, we were through our mind's eye and with the help of Pat McCarthy, at the heart of the action, picturing on the horizon the troops from either sides converging on the battlefield.

We went back to An Poitín Stil for an excellent dinner before heading home.