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The Round Tower Village
St. Declan’s Monastery & Round Tower Ardmore
When I think of Ardmore, I think of my childhood paintings. I was fascinated by the tall round tower and celtic crosses that stand high on that hill overlooking the golden sandy beach. Year after year I would paint this picture postcard scene of Ardmore. Sometimes I would adorn the landscape with horses, other times with a hunt scene or a storm scene. But always the center point of my painting was that round tower. Looking at it, I imagined monks of old following St. Declan up the rope ladder to the second level, while invaders were hot on their persuit. Book of Kells look alikes tucked under their arms and gold chalices in their hoods.
I have been to Ardmore several times since my childhood. The cycle along the coast to get there is long but beautiful. St. Declan founded Ireland's earliest Christian settlement here in 416 A.D. before the arrival of St Patrick. It became one of the principal eccesiastical centres in the Deise region. The 12th Century Round Tower, is 29m (95ft) high and is the best example of an Irish Round Tower. There are grotesque carvings on five of the corbels. Ardmore was recognised as a Cathedral and had its bishop in 1170. In 1591 it was leased to Sir Walter Raleigh who only held it for 2 years. In 1642 the confederate army, hiding in the Church and Round Tower were besieged by the English. When they surrendered, 117 out of 154 of them were hanged on the spot. The carvings on the West Gable of the Cathedral are special to Ardmore and depict Biblical scenes, (The Fall, The Judgement of Solomon and The Adoration of The Magi.) as well as scenes from the early Christianisation of Ardmore. Nearby are St Declan's House, which is reputed to contain the grave of the saint himself.. Ogham Stones, St. Declan's Stone and St. Declan's Well (Hermitage). The beach was one of the first in Ireland to be awarded the EC Blue Flag. Ardmore is awinner of Ireland's Tidiest Village Award. Ardmore is the perfect starting point for walks, be it the long distance 80km St. Declan's way, or the shorter cliff and beach walks.
Carved Relief on church and Tower
During the course of St Patrick's visit to Ireland, St Declan visited him on more than one occassion at the Rock of Cashel. Today the route he took is well sign posted for anyone energetic enough to undertake it. This walk takes 3 days and goes through the heritage town of Lismore and beautiful mountain scenery. The distance is 50 miles. It is aptly called St. Declans way.
In the monastic settlement there is St. Declans stone. According to legend, this stone was carried miraculously on the waves from Wales following Declan's visit there. Beneath the two supporting points is left a little hollow, through which devotees would painfully drag themselves in prayer on Pattern Day the 24th July in the belief of receiving health or spiritual benefits.
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