13 . Finnis Souterrain

Finnis Souterrain

Finnis souterrain dates from the 9th century and comprises a stone built underground tunnel containing three passages; the main passage is 29m in length and two shorter passages run off it. It is known locally as 'Binders Cove'.

A souterrain is a manmade underground passage dating mainly from the early mediaeval period (410 - 1000 ad). The word souterrain comes from the French words sou (under) and terrain (ground).

These tunnels would have been used as a place of refuge in times of trouble or for keeping food and especially milk products. In more recent times it is known that souterrains were used as hiding places for outlaws and also for other illegal activities such as the making of illicit whiskey - poteen.

There are over 3,500 known sites in Ireland and these are located in four main groupings; in Co. Antrim, Co. Louth, central Connacht and southwest Munster. They are more sparsely distributed in Monaghan, parts of south Armagh and south Down.

14 . Crossmoyle Ecclesiastical Site

Monaghan

The historic town of Clones developed around a monastery founded by St. Tighernach in the 6th century. His remains are said to rest in the Shrine of St. Tighernach, which is carved in the shape of a house from a single stone. There are several interesting archaeological sites in the town which bear testament to its ecclesiastical past.

A High Cross situated on the diamond (centre of town), belongs to the Ulster group of scripture crosses, and dates from the 9th or 10th century. The panels on the front and back illustrate scenes from the Scriptures and the New Testament.

Clones round tower is situated in the graveyard and was built in the 10th century. The tower was originally much higher but the conical cap and top storey collapsed some time between 1591 and 1739.

St. Peter and Paul's Abbey, known locally as the 'wee Abbey', is located nearby and dates from the 12th century. The church is Romanesque in style and is evidence of the Roman church in Clones. The Protestant Reformation led to the suppression of the monasteries in the 16th century and the monastic settlement at Clones was destroyed.

15 . Inniskeen Round Tower

Monaghan

Inniskeen (from the Irish Inis Caoin meaning 'pleasant island') is situated in the heart of 'Kavanagh Country'. St. Daig Mac Carell, who studied under St. Ciarán at Clonmacnoise, founded a monastery here in the 6th century. St. Colmcille is said to have blessed the monastery at the inauguration. The site was burned in 789 ad, plundered in 948 ad and burned again in 1166 ad. The round tower was built in the 10th century, perhaps as a result of the attacks. It stands at 12.6m and its door is 4m above the ground. The site is close to the River Fane and it is thought that the monks of the monastery had a mill there.

Inniskeen Motte is located nearby and comprises a large circular flat-topped motte, now covered in trees, with traces of a bailey. It once belonged to a series of fortifications built to halt the advance of the Normans into Ulster in the 13th century

16 . Killeavy Churches

Newry & Mourne

Situated on the eastern slopes of Slieve Gullion, Killeavy is the site of an early convent founded in the 6th century by St. Moninna (also known as Darerca, or Blinne). Killeavy derives from the Irish Cill Shléibhe meaning 'church of the mountain'. Moninna's father was Machta, who ruled over a territory stretching from Louth to Armagh. According to tradition Moninna was baptised and confirmed by St. Patrick. A large stone to the north of the graveyard is said to mark her burial place.

The Vikings raided the site between 795 ad and 830 ad and again in 923 ad. A souterrain was discovered in the graveyard, perhaps built as a refuge from the Vikings. Nonetheless, the convent continued in operation for 1,000 years until it was dissolved in 1542. Though appearing to be one very long church, there are two churches built back to back. The West Church dates from the 11th century and the East Church from 15th century. There is a large cross-inscribed stone leaning against the outer wall of the west church; this is an early grave-marker.

17 . Kilbroney Graveyard & Crosses

Newry & Mourne

Kilbroney is picturesquely situated at the southern entrance to the Mourne Mountains. It derives from the Irish Cill Brónach meaning the 'Brónach's church'. Brónach was a 6th century disciple of St. Patrick.

The graveyard contains the remains of the 12th century church of St Brónach. There are two granite crosses in the old graveyard. Kilbroney Cross, the larger of the two, stands at 2.5m and is noted for its diamond-shaped (or lozenge) symbols. These symbols occur frequently in Early Christian Ireland on carved stones, metalwork and manuscript pages. It has been suggested that this cross represents a link between earlier wooden prototypes and the development of the high cross.

In 1855, St. Brónach's Bell was discovered by chance, hidden in a fallen oak tree near the Old Chapel. It is now St. Mary's Catholic Church, Rostrevor.

Kilbroney also contains the grave of Patrick 'the Irish Giant' Murphy who was the tallest man on earth at the time of his death (1862) standing at 8 feet 1 inch.

18 . Monasterboice

Louth

Monasterboice is one Ireland's earliest and best known religious sites. The monastery was founded by the little-known St. Buite (who died in 521 ad). Monasterboice derives from the Irish Mainistir Bhuithe meaning 'Buite's Monastery'. It was an important centre of learning and remained in existence until 1122 ad. The site comprises two churches and a round tower. The tower was burned in 1097 ad, destroying the monastic library and other treasures; however, it is in excellent condition. The Vikings occupied the site for a period until they were routed by Domhnall, King of Tara, in 968 ad.

The site also contains two of the finest High Crosses in Ireland - the Cross of Muiredach and the Tall Cross (or West Cross) - which date from the 9th century. The crosses are finely carved and depict biblical scenes of both the Old and New Testaments. The, appropriately named, Tall Cross is the tallest high cross in Ireland, standing at around 7m.

19 . Saint Patricks Cathedral

(Church of Ireland) Armagh City

Saint Patrick established his first stone church, on the site where the cathedral stands today, in 445 ad and decreed that Armagh should have pre-eminence over all Irish churches. Armagh, like Navan Fort (Emain Macha) takes its name from the Celtic Goddess Macha - Ard Mhacha means 'Macha's Height'.

The present cathedral was first built in the 13th century and has been rebuilt several times, most recently between 1834 and 1840. Around the cathedral was built one of the most famous of the great Irish Monastic Schools to which students came from all over Europe.

Brian Bórú, the last Ard Rí or High King of Ireland (arguably the only one who actually controlled the entire country) is buried here. He was murdered after the Battle of Clontarf on Good Friday, 1014 ad.

The cathedral contains a number of Iron Age stone carvings, including the Tandragee Idol. It has become associated with the legend one of Ireland's greatest legendary kings, Nuadha, who lost his throne after losing his arm in battle. He had a replacement arm made of silver and the statuette is said to be a representation of Nuadha holding his new arm.

20 . Tynan Cross

Armagh

Tynan Cross stands by the roadside, opposite the churchyard wall in the pretty village of Tynan. It dates to the 8th or 9th century and is highly ornamented. Like many crosses of its kind in Ulster, it consists of a number of fragments of different crosses mounted on top of one another. According to tradition Cromwell's soldiers vandalised the earlier crosses.

Just a few miles away the Palace Stables Heritage Centre is situated in the grounds of Palace Demesne next to the stunning Primate's Palace, the home of the Archbishops of the Church of Ireland from 1770 until the 1970s. The centre is a restored Georgian stable block and presents life in the year 1786. Living History costumed interpreters recreate both the grandeur and the squalor of life in the Georgian Period. Guided tours take in some of the estate's most historic buildings such as: the Georgian Kitchen & Walled Garden; the Primate's Chapel; the Ice House; the Servant's Tunnel and the Archbishop's Palace. There are also several signed walks to choose from within 90-acres of the original Demesne.