Local Archaeology & Monuments

There are some great examples of archaeology in the Mountshannon are, the most dramatic being on Holy Island which has it's own page. There are also examples more off the beaten track for those willing to strike out and seek them. The "Dolmen", as it is called locally, would be a fine example.

"The Dolmen"
Or "Diarmid & Grainne's bed", as it is also known, is a good example of a Wedge Tomb (pictured above). It can be found 7km North of Mountshannon in Bohatch. It is 240m above sea level on the side of Cappaghabaun Mountain, one of the Slieve Aughty Mountains. It commands a great vantage point with a spectacular vista offering breath taking views overlooking Mounrtshannon and along the length of Lough Derg. One can see across to Slieve Bearnagh and the Arra Mountains also. There are several stones about it that may well be some kind of directional or perimeter out-lyers. There is a Ring Fort few hundred meters down the hillside.
Finding it: To get there, take the Millpool Road out of Mountshannon. At about 5-6km keep straight at the intersection and carry on. The landscape changes here to rugged mountain and marsh. As you approach a group of houses you will see a sign "Dolmen 1/4 mile" pointing right. The road disintergrates here, so take caution if driving. It is often best to leave the car here. Follow this rough road up to the right for the 1/4 mile. The Wedge tomb is easy to spot on your left. Park your car in one of the quarried hard standings. If you bring it further, it will be some distance before you will find a turning point. Do not walk directly to the tomb as there are drains and water running over ground here. Follow the road a while as it bends nearer to the site and the ground is more solid here. (NB: A Dolmen is a 'Portal Tomb' similer to a Wedge Tomb in that they both may have had an earth mound around them.

Back to Top

The Druids Rock
To be found in Derrycon 5km North of Mountshannon is a feature know as 'the Druids Rock. It's a little difficult to get to and not very easy to find. Some local guidance may be needed.
The monument itself is solidly built and comprises two very large stone slabs, the top one being the larger. The site is thought of having been used for 'Druid worship'. 250 years ago,during the penal times, it was used as a 'Mass Rock'. Fugative priests would travel back and forth across Galway to secretly hold mass at such sites.
Finding it: (These directions are based on 'Guide to Mountshannon' by V. MacNamara P.P. and rely on natural features as a guide that may not be there any more. I found the site in 1993 using them.)
Go north out of Mountsahnnon village towards Derrycon, keep right at the 'Y' as you pass over the bridge (This is the 'Flaggy' River) and carry on to the next left turn at O'Rourke's bungalow. Follow the farm avenue 100m keeping right at first fork then left around house ruins. Follow the avenue to an iron gate. Go through the gate and across the field keeping to the middle. There should be a wooden gate, or gap now perhaps, with a thorn tree in background. Pass through the gate, you are now overlooking a hollow where the Druid's rock is. With your back to the gate there should be five thorn bushes in a row. Between the forth and fifth should be a lone, tall ash that marks the position of the Druid's Rock.

Back to Top

Chieftains Grave
In Sellernane East, about 3km North West of Moutnshannon, is a wedge-shaped stone standing approximately 1m over ground and is 40 centimetres wide by 20 centimetres in depth. It is knowm locally as the Chieftains Grave or Chieftains Rock.
Finding it: We have no directions to this site at the moment. It is featured in 'Lough Derg- The Westside Story' and in 'History of the O'Gradys of Clare & Limerick' by Gerard Madden. Please check back.

Holy Wells
There are four Holy Wells in the vicinity of Mountshannon – Tubberanolc at Curratober, Lady’s Well on Holy Island, Tobarmochunna at Moynoe and the Holy Well at Clonntyconnaught. There is a well site marked on the OPW map of Whitegate, but even dowsing with pendulum did not find it.

Tobarmochunna at Moynoe lies at the rear of the ancient graveyard on the Mountshannon to Scarriff road. Though now in a state of disrepair, this well, lying close to the stream, continues to pour forth spring water. Moynow was a major settlement at one time before Scarriff and Mountshannon developed. There was a sizeable Celtic monastic religious settlement here which was an integral part of local life and connected with the community on Holy Island. The waters are reputed to “cure all the old ailments”, colds, rheumatism and chest complaints. The well is dedicated to St. Mochunna or St. Cuan and the feast day is March 29th. The well has never been known to dry up – even in the driest of summers.

Cloontyconnaught Holy Well lies just a few feet from the main road between Mountshannon and Scarriff. The spring, now probably little visited, emerges from beneath the roots of an ash tree and is surrounded by whitethorn and briars.

Tubberanolc Well of the Sick at Curratober outside Mountshannon is undoubtedly the well most visited by locals. It is not at all unusual to see people stop at the roadside watercourse to collect water in a bottle and drink. The waters are reputed to cure many ailments, but particularly stomach disorders. The waters bubble up gently into three springs in the hillside above the road near the riding stables (permission required for entry). The water is exceptionally cold and flows down to the roadside where the public can partake of the waters. It is said that the water never freezes and that a curious vibration can be felt if you stand in the spring (good vibes of course!). The Patron Saint of this well is St. Caimin of Iniscealtra. The well is said to have formed as a result of St. Caimin sending three of his monks to the area as a penance to draw water. Three monks – three springs.

Back to Top

BUGLER’S MILL – BOWRIVER

A drain, known as the Sheep’s Hole, was located about 300 yards upstream and the water flowed from here into a cave like tunnel down to the mill where the energy was harnessed to power the mill wheel. From here it ran out through another cave back to the river. For years after it ceased to function as a working mill, many of the local children played in these tunnels – unknown to their unsuspecting parents, but thank God without injury to any party. The mill employed two to three people to grind corn, oatmeal, barley and wheat grown locally for flour and animal feed. A man by the name of Horan was one of the well remembered workers. People came from all surrounding parishes to avail of the services of the miller. The barley and wheat had to be dried and at the moment you can still see the little house beside the mill which was used to dry and store the wheat. The big quern stone and part of the big wheel are still intact in the mill’s remains.

We are told that Gerry Martin, a well-known fiddle maker, lived here with his family for some time after the mill closed up. It is a wonderful building that carries an important message from our past – there was a time when everything did not come off the shelf! It would be wonderful to see it restored to its former glory and it seems such a shame that not alone could our own generation witness this wonderful tradition, but that for our children the reality of our past goes further and further away!

By Ann Madden, Bugler's Mill - Bowriver, InisCealtra Review - 1996

Back to Top

References
'Mountshannon-Past & Present' InisCealtra Review - 1996 by Gerty Glennon and Ruth Kelly.
'Holy Wells around Montshannon' InisCealtra Review - 1996 by Tony Lowery & Sheila Dixon.
'Bugler's Mill - Bowriver' InisCealtra Review - 1996 By Ann Madden
'Guide to Mountshannon' by Thomas V. Mac Namara P.P.
'Lough Derg-The Westside Story', a map and guide by East Galway Family History Society.
(See also our Media page.)