The rocks natural attributes in fact it is a 150foot high limestone cliff made it the perfect spot to erect a fortress. Dun masc fort of masc is a rocky outcrop in the townland of park or dunamase in county laois. Vikings, anglonorman nobles, and oliver cromwell paint the castles history. At the beginning of the 12th century, a castle was constructed on dunamase rock. Nov 26, 2017 rich history, stunning scenery, and lack of commercialism makes the rock of dunamase a must see destination when visiting ireland. There is a nice casual looped walk around the ground of dunamase castle which could easily be done in 1520 minutes. Thus, it is inextricably associated with the most turbulent events in irish history.
The rocks military history in the predunamase castle era. When the normans arrived in ireland during the 12th century the rock was refortified with the great hall and the earlier gate tower surviving from this period. I could ramble on but a little research probing this vast wasteland of cyber space and a true quest of rock s history is somewhat void without exploring a few of these elements. Standing at over 45 metres in height, the outcrop with its castle ruins totally dominates the surrounding countryside.
The rock of dunamase is a spectacular natural feature visible in the landscape of co. It is here that we will merge with our visitors from kerry, who will arrive with seven torches, each representing one of the seven septs of laois. This audioguide will take you through the site and its complex and often bloody history. Ireland uses an eircode system to identify houses or buildings, there is a church beside the rock of dunamase and its eircode is r32e170.
Rock of dunamaise, laois, ireland posted on december 10, 2012 february 3, 2017 by ed hannon visions of the past growing up in the midlands of ireland you sometimes get jealous of the coastline counties with their hills and mountains, and perhaps this is why to a midlander like myself the rock of dunamaise is such an impressive structure. This hill of hard limestone rock about 60 metres above ground level was marked on a map by ptolemy in the 2nd century. The rock of dunamase audio guide will help you to explore the ruins of one of irelands most atmospheric and intriguing castles. Jan 01, 2012 a musthave for any music fan, the history of rock chronicles over six decades of key events in rock, punk, metal, and more. The great thing about this site is that it is a popular tourist spot but it has not been. Dunamase or the rock of dunamase is a rocky outcrop in the townland of park or dunamase in county laois. Dec 10, 2012 rock of dunamaise, laois, ireland posted on december 10, 2012 february 3, 2017 by ed hannon visions of the past growing up in the midlands of ireland you sometimes get jealous of the coastline counties with their hills and mountains, and perhaps this is why to a midlander like myself the rock of dunamaise is such an impressive structure. It was the location of an early christian settlement known as dun masc and later became an important anglo norman fortification. In 1101, the king of munster, muirchertach ua briain, donated his fortress on the rock to the church. An interesting historic site found just outside portlaoise in county laois, the rock of dunamase is one of irelands popular tourist attractions. Save on popular hotels near rock of dunamase, portlaoise.
Hear about the viking raid on dunamase in 844 ad when it was an early medieval fort known as dun masc, how the site became a feared stronghold of the norman. Visit rock of dunamase on your trip to portlaoise or ireland. The type of reaction that forces you to stop the bus and run across the road to take photos from several kilometers away before ever reaching the rock. The ruined remains of an ancient castle stand atop a rocky outcrop in the middle of the fertile. Storm the castle at rock of dunamase, a fortress dating back to the 12th century and once pillaged by vikings. Thats due to publication deadlines and, in my mind, a. Standing atop a steep rock it is protected on three sides by cliffs while the only accessible side was protected by. Available from local bookshops or from offaly history. A musthave for any music fan, the history of rock chronicles over six decades of key events in rock, punk, metal, and more. Rock of dunamase portlaoise updated april 2020 top. Archaeological excavation and conservation work by the office of public works have ensured that the rock of dunamase will survive for further generations to explore. Browse expedias selection of 173 hotels and places to stay closest to rock of dunamase. The rock, 46 metres above a flat plain, has the ruins of dunamase castle, a defensive stronghold dating from the early hibernonorman period with a view across to the slieve bloom mountains. Description and history the rock of dunamase has to sit on the top of the pile when it comes to laois sites.
Look to central ireland for the ruins of dunamase castle, a popular stop in county laois in the province of leinster. When parnell died, his son allowed the buildings to fall into decay. The rock of dunamase dominates the county laois countryside. The structure has passed through many hands, including the normans. Rock of dunamase portlaoise all you need to know before. The ruins on the rock of dunamase in county laois date mainly from the 12th century, very shortly after the norman invasion of 1169. Rock of dunamase churches and monasteries portlaoise. But if dunamase was a jawdropping sight as we approached it, the rock of cashel simply takes ones breath away as you approach it. It is known that vikings from dublin attacted a fort here in. Rock of dunamaise, laois, ireland visions of the past. The rock of dunamase bulfin heritage cycle rally 2018. If youre lucky enough to visit on a clear day you can see for miles. On day two of this years bulfin heritage cycle rally, we will visit the magnificent rock of dunamase.
For some of the later and indeed earlier history of the rock, i. What is more certain, however, is that the rock of dunamase was referred to in the annals of the four masters known also as the annals of the kingdom of ireland, which is a compilation of chronicles of medieval irish history in these annals, the rock of dunamase is recorded to have originally been a christian dun. The walk around the rock does provide some great opportunities for some pictures and views of the midlands landscape. It was one of the macmurrough strongholds, and accordingly was part of aoifes dowry when she married strongbow. The rock of dunamase in county laois is a very prominent outcrop.
Dunamase or the rock of dunamase is a rocky outcrop in the townland of park or dunamase. The rock of dunamase is now maintained by the office of public works and is open to the public year round. Jun 26, 2011 both the origins and later history of dunamase are largely shrouded in mystery, with very patchy records. This book covers the beginning of rock and roll all the wayto the grunge era, a little after cobains death.
Jul 21, 2018 on day two of this years bulfin heritage cycle rally, we will visit the magnificent rock of dunamase. According to local legends, the rock of cashel originated in the devils bit, a mountain 20 miles 30 km north of cashel when st. The best hotels closest to rock of dunamase 2020 updated. Patrick banished satan from a cave, resulting in the rocks landing in cashel.
If youare looking for detailed information on the artists of rock and. Cashel is reputed to be the site of the conversion of the king of munster by st. You know those bestof 2014 lists youve seen this month. Although completely in ruins for several centuries, there is something very alluring and magical about dunamase castle. A note about the parameters of the following lists. The sources for the history of dunamase castle in the medieval period by.
A short distance from the town of portlaoise, in dramatic contrast to the surrounding flat countryside of most of county laois, rises the rock of dunamase, with its ancient castle on top. It is strategically located, overlooking an important route between counties carlow and laois, and as result the castle played an important role in the early anglonorman expansion in leinster. The rock of dunamase is a lovely little hideaway location near portlaiose town. Perched on a steep rocky crag above the low lying plains of laois, the rock of dunamase is one of the most atmospheric sites to visit in ireland. Rock history book was a radio short that we created in the mideighties. The rock of cashel was the traditional seat of the kings of munster for several hundred years prior to the norman invasion. Dunamase castle or rock of dunamase county laois the ruins of the anglonorman defensive stronghold from the 12th century built on the site of earlymedieval fort dun masc.
Sitting atop of a natural rock the castle can be seen from across the landscape and the ruins look like they too are a part of the natural rock. The rock of dunmase is a stunning medieval ruin perched on a rocky outcrop a few miles east of portlaoise, co laois. Download the rock of dunamase audio guide free to hear the incredible story of this medieval fortress, perched high above the rolling fields of county laois. In an ancient irish history book, called the annals of the four masters. It stands high on a limestone cliff with magnificent views over the surrounding countryside and the sleive bloom mountains. The story of portlaoise audio guide abarta heritage. Popular rock music history books goodreads share book. Laois and excavations from 19931997 have revealed a wealth of new information about the site. Overlooking the surrounding landscape the ruinous castle was once a formidable fortress.
Find cheap deals and discount rates that best fit your budget. Well worth a visit, there are magnificent views of the surrounding countryside from the top of the castle. Book your tickets online for rock of dunamase, portlaoise. In the 12th century, it belonged to dermot mac murrough, king of. Vikings, anglonorman nobles, and oliver cromwell paint the castles history the rock of dunamase is a large limestone outcrop located in county laois, a county in the middle of the eastern irish province of leinster. If youare looking for detailed information on the artists of rock and rollthroughout history, this isnt it. Not a single title of my humble assemblage of around 100 books on rock and rolls history is mentioned here. Rock of dunamase portlaoise updated april 2020 top tips. Featuring profiles of 100 groundbreaking artists from the rock music pantheon and special breakout sections on trendslike beatlemania, disco fever, and motown, this book is the definitive guide to all things rock n roll.
The free story of portlaoise audio guide will lead you through the streets of this influential laois town and immerse you in its stories. The rock of dunamase is an imposing and magnificent example of the remains of a celtic fortification. In celtic ireland, it was known as dun masc, the fort of masc. The type of reaction that forces you to stop the bus and run across the road to take photos from several kilometers away before ever. They managed to unearth walls and banks that constituted its defenses before the remainder of the facility got razed by the vikings in 843 ad. Today the ruins on the rock of dunamase are managed by the state. I could ramble on but a little research probing this vast wasteland of cyber space and a true quest of rocks history is somewhat void without exploring a few of these elements. The sources for the history of dunamase castle in the. Dunamase rock dates back to the ninth century, when the settlement was known as dun masc. If your looking for a long hike this is not the place for it. The rock itself stands above a flat plain, which holds the castle ruins and offers picturesque views of the countryside. Well, in many instances, theyve been compiled a few months before they appear. From the top of a large limestone outcrop in county laois, the imposing fortress at the rock of dunamase dominates the surrounding landscape. The facebook page rock of dunamase will give any visitor all the insight they need to fully appreciate historic site.
Like millers book, it is a fantastic read and very thorough without being overly weighted down with anecdote. The rock of dunamase is a popular historic attraction found overlooking the valley of the omoores, just outside portlaoise, county laois. The rock of dunamase and irelands most iconic painting. The rock of dunamase is a popular historic attraction found overlooking the valley of the o moores, just outside portlaoise, county laois. Dna testing is revealing that many irish people have viking ancestry. Apr 28, 2015 a trip to the rock of dunamase should be precluded by a quick guide to its history. A hippie dream by neil young, out of the vinyl deeps. In these annals, the rock of dunamase is recorded to have originally been a christian dun. In an ancient irish history book, called the annals of the four masters, a viking raid on dunamase was described in 843 ad. County dublin, free course, irish history, irish manuscripts, learning online, medieval ireland, online course, places to see in ireland, the book of kells, things to do in ireland, trinity college dublin ireland. Palmers deep blues is probably his most famous book but this one rivals the above for its terrific look at rock history. Dunamase was the seat or fort of the ancient irish kings of laois.
Those marauding vikings plundered and pillaged their way through ireland in years gone by. A rocky irish outcropping with a history of wealth, conflict, and ruin. This early christmas settlement was ransacked by vikings in 824. That invasion was led by richard declare, earl of pembroke, known as strongbow, and it was at the invitation of diarmuid macmurrough, king of leinster. What is more certain, however, is that the rock of dunamase was referred to in the annals of the four masters known also as the annals of the kingdom of ireland, which is a compilation of chronicles of medieval irish history. The rock of dunamase is a rock rising from a plain three miles east of. Rock of dunamase, history, scenic views and wonder. Its only a 10 minute drive from the town itself to this spot and is a nice way to have a picnic on a sunny day or a brisk walk to enjoy the scenery on a cold day. The rock of dunamase is probably the bestknown archaeological monument in co. The book was supported by laois county council and the heritage council. The rock, 46 metres 151 ft above a flat plain, has the ruins of dunamase castle, a defensive stronghold dating from the early hibernonorman period with a view across to the slieve bloom mountains. Patrick in the 5th century the rock of cashel was the traditional seat of the kings of munster for. Before dunamase castle existed, it was home to a more humble fort that was uncovered by an archeological dig conducted in the 1990s. The earliest historical reference to dunamase is in the annals of the four masters where it states that dun masc was plundered by the vikings in 843ad and the abbot of terryglass was killed.
984 570 1433 665 797 1457 952 715 1663 341 892 239 940 925 55 526 220 687 1639 1585 1095 789 1185 543 901 220 41 695 164 1122 932 563 1378 1172 194 1140 1221