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Within the valley and throughout the hinterland of The Glen of Aherlow in Tipperary, South East of Ireland, the variety of prehistoric and early Christian heritage sites provides interest for all, where one can enjoy the peace and serenity of times past.
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St Berrihert’s Well & Kyle
Located at Ardane at the eastern end of the Glen of Aherlow is St Berrihert’s Well & Kyle. The principal feature of this site is the oval enclosure, the Kyle, as it is called locally which was created to preserve the unique collection of stones found on the site. These include the head and base of a large cross, fragments of quernstones, a detached stone with a bullaun with many inscribed and carved stones.
St Berrihert is celebrated locally on February 18th with local Mass and followed by rounds of personal prayer at the site. To the east of the Kyle is St Berrihert’s Well, a strong spring of water forming a pond about 1.5m deep and 20m across. In the crystal clear water the spring can be seen bubbling up through the sandy bottom. Local tradition has it that the water from this well cannot be boiled and that stones from well will save you from fire.
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St Pecaun’s Holy Well,
Not far from the River Suir between Bansha and Cahir, in the townland of Toureen, is St. Pecaun’s well at the eastern end of the Glen of Aherlow. Over many centuries people have come to this holy place to “do the rounds” to pray and drink of this pure holy water. Adjacent to the well is St Pecaun’s church and cell. Located on private property you need to cross through railway gates to access the site.
To the east of the well are the remains of a stone circle the opening of which points due east towards the rising sun, there are hollowed out stones in the centre of the cell.
Teampuillín Pheacán as the church was known in the last century was tidied up by the Office of Public Works in 1944, many fragments of crosses, inscribed stones, two plain water spouts and parts of three rotary quern stones were found.
St Pecaun is celebrated every August 1st with a special Mass in the locality followed by community sports evening.
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St Sedna’s Well in Clonbeg Churchyard
Located in the grounds of Clonbeg Church in the heart of the Glen of Aherlow this site was founded by St Sedna where there are still the remains of an old church wall now completely covered with ivy. The present church is Church of Ireland with both a Catholic and Church of Ireland burial ground, many of the gravestones date back to early 1700’s. The Tourist Office in the Glen of Aherlow has full information on all family names in this burial ground.
The water from the well is noted for its healing properties, when people visit the well they bring a piece of clothing from the sick person and tie it on the tree behind the well, local legend has it that this water will cure eye ailments.
Locally St Sedna is celebrated on the 18th July with the Pattern of Clonbeg. There is an ecumenical service in the church with prayers to the Holy Well followed by a social evening for all the community.
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Moore Abbey
The ruins of the Moore abbey are situated at the western end of Aherlow Valley, about a mile from Galbally village. At the time of its foundation, the ‘abbey’ was one of several names applied to any religious house for monks.
Moore abbey was founded in 1204 by the King of Thomond, Donough Gairbreach O’Brien as a Franciscan abbey. The abbey took three hundred years to complete. It was burned four times during the course of building, by the marauding armies of Desmond and Ormond. It was burned to the ground in 1472 and rebuilt in 1473.
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Christ the King
The Christ the King statue was originally erected by a voluntary group during the holy year of 1950. It is situated on the quiet country road from Tipperary Town (R664) to the Glen of Aherlow and stands on the southern slope of Sliabhnamuch hills facing the Galtee Mountains overlooking the picturesque Valley. The hand raised over the people of the Glen gives a blessing to everyone living there and to everyone who passes by.
In 1975 the statue of Christ the King was damaged beyond repair and a local committee was formed to replace it. The Cork man who made the original statue was located and commissioned to make an identical new one. Since then the statue has overlooked the beautiful Glen.
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Darby’s Bed, Galbally
Darby’s Bed is located, like most Irish passage tombs on a hilltop site. Duntryleague Hill is the westerly extension of Slievenamuck hill.
This great Megalith is thought to be the grave of Olill Olum, one of the early Kings of Munster. The name Duntryleague is derived from Dún-Trí-Liag, meaning the fort of three pillar stones. Diarmuid and Gráinne are also said to have rested here in their flight from the angry Fionn Mac Cumhaill
Well worth a visit, the route through the forest leading to the burial ground is accessible leading to the amazing rock structure of the tomb. There is one enormous rock slab resting steadily across a number of famous cairns which measures approximately 25m north -south and 22m east-west. Continuing on from the cairn you come across many natural viewing points which extend over the terrain of west Limerick.
A mapped walking route to Darby’s Bed is available locally.
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Heritage sites within easy reach of The Glen
Rock of Cashel
Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Tel: [+353] (0)62 61437
www.heritageireland.ie
The Rock of Cashel rises steeply above the Golden Vale and is an impressive sight either by day or night. It contains a 12th century High cross, Round Tower and Romanesque Chapel to name but a few of its features. Guided tours and audio-visual presentations available.
Cahir Castle
Cahir, Co. Tipperary
Tel: [+353] (0)52 41011
www.heritageireland.ie
Cahir Castle is an imposing 13/15th-century island castle now fully restored and offering guided tours and an interesting audio-visual presentation.
The Swiss Cottage
Cahir, Co. Tipperary
Tel: [+353] (0)52 41144
www.heritageireland.ie
A delightful “cottage orné” built in the early 1800’s by the 1st Earl of Glengall by the famous architect John Nash. It contains elegantly decorated rooms and some original Dufour wallpaper.
Cashel Heritage Town Centre
City Hall, Main Street, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Tel: [+353] (0)62 62511
www.heritagetowns.com/cashel
Brú Ború, Comhaltas Ceolteórí Cultural Centre
Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Tel: [+353] (0)62 61122
Brú Ború cultural centre located at he foot of the Rock of Cashel, is home to the internationally acclaimed Brú Ború performing group, houses a theatre, restaurant, craft centre and the imaginative subterranean “Sounds of History”
Bolton Library Cashel
Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Tel: [+353] (0)62 61944
The library contains a fine collection of books, manuscripts and maps, some dating from the beginning of the age of printing.
Holycross Abbey
Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Tel; [+353] (0)504 43241
Holy Cross Abbey is a 12th century Cistercian Abbey which was restored in 1973 and is now a place of pilgrimage, a national monument of distinction it is open daily.
Excel Centre Tipperary Town FAMILY RESEARCH CENTRE
Tel: [+353] (0)62 80520
www.tipperary-excel.com
This Arts & Cultural Centre comprises theatre, cinemas art gallery & gift shop plus Genealogy Research Centre.
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