Stops 10, 11 & 12

[Home] [Nature Trail] [Archaeological Trail]
[Pictures Of Doon] [Sounds] [Links]

10) Animal enclosure

There is little to distinguish this structure from the human habitations other than its size. The ownership of animals was the measure of wealth pre-coinage and the importance of this is evident here as, the enclosure is as substantial as the human habitations. The herdsman was assigned to observe the animals when they were taken out of the enclosure for grazing. As cattle raiding was frequent at that time, it was necessary to return the animals to the enclosure before darkness. It is thought that big losses were incurred in wintertime. Horses and all the common domesticated animals have been recognised from the Irish Late Bronze Age Settlements, with cattle dominant

11) Nancy Walshe's Grave

Descend the steps to right, to the wooden cross. This local story originated from post-famine time. Nancy was from a local village and she wandered out from her home with her dog. When she came to the northern shores of Lough Carra, in error, she followed the shoreline to Doon. At this point suffering from exhaustion, weakness and disorientation (Faidín Mhairbh), she lay down here and died. Her dog returned home without her, this alerted her relatives to her disappearance but their attempts to find her were hampered, when the dog disappeared in through the grounds of the Fitzgerald Kenny Estate. Although the dog didn't respect protocol, the 'peasant folk' compelled to adhere to 'Big House' etiquette then lost contact with the dog. However they circumvented this obstacle by surrounding the wood and when the dog emerged they followed him to where her body lay, now in a state of decomposition. So her body was buried here.
As a result of a marriage that took place between the only sister of James Quinn - owner of the site - and the investigating R.I.C. officer, it has been possible to establish that the death occurred in 1875.

12) Church Island

Though the channel is narrow across the lake from Doon to Church Island, it is 40 feet in depth. This is if considerable importance because the fortified Church Island and the habitation on Doon could have controlled lake travel and it is a strong consideration that, a 'toll', in some form, might have been extracted from the cargo laden boats. The lake systems then, were an effective means of communication and transportation.

One of the Church Island's archaeological features is just barely visible from here. If you look across to the left 1/3 of the island through the leaves, the roof of a restored 14th century Church can be seen. During excavation the ruins of a possible 6th century wooden building was discovered. As a result of studies carried out on soil from post holes, radio carbon dating has revealed dates of 3,000 B.C. It is logical to presuppose then this site also had stone age farmers, centuries before the construction of defensive features. Church Island has a rich and varied history, changing its name according to the resident Evangelist e.g. Finian's Island, Cummins Island and more recently, Shrine Island. The Hermit Marbhán (Brother-in-law of King Guaire of Gort) according to "The Lake" by George Moore is reputed to have been summoned home urgently from France with wolfhounds, in order to contain the menace from the wolves of Carn (the townland as you look across the lake). It is documented that the last wolves in the West of Ireland were killed in Doon Wood in the 1700's. Church Island is now retained as a site of peace, prayer and pilgrimage but can also be visited by the Tourist who is accompanied by a Tour Guide from Ballintubber Abbey. Another 'appealing' option is a 22-mile trek, which can also be undertaken along an ancient trackway called 'Tochar Padráig'.

Stops 1, 2 and 3 Stops 4, 5 and 6 Stops 7, 8 and 9
Stops 10, 11 and 12 Stops 13, 14 and 15

Site hosted with Mayo Ireland Ltd

Check out Mayo on the Move for information about Co Mayo

[an error occurred while processing this directive]