The remains of this cashel are impressive. It is not as big as Caherballykinvarga (County Clare) but the walls are easily as good. There is evidence in the stone work that it was in use as late as the 15th century, as was Cahermacnaghten (County Clare).
It is difficult to get a good impression of it due to the overbearing proximity of the field walls and farm.
Things certainly have changed here. First of all you have to pay now. Secondly they have toilets. Thirdly there is an audio-visual display.
Entrance now costs 3 euro (5 if you want to see the audiio-visual). For this you are provided with a sheet of paper so that you can give yourself a tour. A little bridge allows you access to the inside, where areas are now roped off to stop you climbing all over bits of it.
I think the only advantage of the new set up is that it means the grass is cut short within and you can see the remains more clearly.
We didn't go for the 15 minute display (and so can't comment upon its quality) because we had to drive down to Doolin to camp and watch the sun set over the Arran Islands. A nice way to end a great day!
This is an explanation of (and a bit of a disclaimer for) the coordinates I provide. Where a GPS figure is given this is the master for all other coordinates. According to my Garmin these are quite accurate. Where there is no GPS figure the 6 figure grid reference is master for the others. This may not be very accurate as it could have come from the OS maps and could have been read by eye. Consequently, all other cordinates are going to have inaccuracies. The calculation of Longitude and Latitude uses an algorithm that is not 100% accurate. The long/lat figures are used as a basis for calculating the UTM & ITM coordinates. Consequently, UTM & ITM coordinates are slightly out. UTM is a global coordinate system - Universal Transverse Mercator - that is at the core of the GPS system. ITM is the new coordinate system - Irish Transverse Mercator - that is more accurate and more GPS friendly than the Irish Grid Reference system. This will be used on the next generation of Irish OS maps. |