Historical Postcard Collection: Glen of Aherlow
Bailiúchán Chártaí Poist Stairiúla: Gleann Eatharlaí
"It is across this U-shaped Valley that one can enjoy some of the most spectacular and glorious scenery that this country has to offer. The River Aherlow flows through the valley, which is bordered on one side by the Galtees and on the other by Slievenamuck (mountain of pigs).
Christ the King Statue
The focal point of the passage through the Glen is the Christ the King monument, erected in 1950, which commands the finest view to be had of the area. Placed on the side of the Slievenamuck Hill, and facing the Galtees, the statue's raised hand is said to bless all those who pass by it and live beneath it. The statue was irreparably damaged in 1975, but a new, identical sculpture was commissioned to replace it soon after.
Pre-Historic and Early Christian Remains
There are a number of prehistoric and early Christian sites of interest to be found in the Glen, and as is the case with so many similar attractions throughout the country, tradition and folklore abound around them. At the east end of the glen is St. Berrihert's Well and Kyle, the "kyle" being an oval enclosure designed to protect the site's unique collection of stones. These include many pieces of carving and the base of a cross. The nearby well is 20m across and 1.5m deep, and the water that bubbles from it, allegedly, cannot be boiled. St. Berrihert's Day is celebrated locally on the 18th February. In Toureen, between Bansha and Cahir, is St. Pecaun's well, close to which are the remains of a stone circle. The well of St. Sedna, whose waters are said to cure eye ailments, is located in the grounds of Clonbeg Church. For the true healing powers of the well to be fully enjoyed one must tie a piece of the afflicted's clothing to a nearby tree. Religious and social events commemorating these local saints often go together hand in hand.
The Insurgents' Shelter
Because of the Glen's isolation and wilderness it has always served as the "refuge and security of rebels". This was particularly true at the beginning of the 1600s, when opposition to Elizabeth I's government was strong. It was in a cave near the Glen, in Slieve Grot, that James, the "Sugaun Earl" of Desmond, took refuge from government forces after his failed insurrection. He was tracked down by one-time ally, Edmund Fitzgibbon, The White Knight, who handed him over to the authorities. James subsequently died in the Tower of London 6 years later.
O'Sullivan Beare's March
In 1602, during his famous and arduous march north, O'Sullivan camped near and marched through the Glen. Having set out from Glengarriff with 1,000 men, his force had dwindled to only 35 by the time he reached Leitrim, his final destination. The march lasted 11 days, and at every roads turn the travelling party was assaulted by both the severity of the winter weather and attacks from loyalist forces.
Sources – Marnane, "Land and Settlement", www.aherlow.com
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Clonmel - Nenagh - Tipperary - Roscrea - Templemore - Carrick on Suir - Cashel - Cahir - Thurles - The Glen of Aherlow
last updated on: Tuesday, 03-Aug-2010 15:40:10 IST
Is trasna an ghleanna seo a fheictear cuid den tírdhreacht is deise sa tír. Sreabhann Abhainn Eatharlaí tríd an ngleann, atá suite idir na Gaibhlte agus Sliabh na Muc.
Dealbh Chríost an Rí
Sa phasáiste tríd an ngleann, tá Leacht Chríost an Rí, a tógadh i 1950. Aige seo ta an radharc is fearr den cheantar. Ar taobh Sliabh na Muc, agus ag breathnú amach ar na Gaibhlte, deirtear go dtiteann beannacht ar an té a shiúlann faoina lámha. Scriosadh an dealbh i 1975, ach cuireadh dealbh nua, díreach cosúil, ina áit gan mhoill.
Fothracha Réamhstairiúla agus Luath-Chríostaí
Is iomaí suíomh réamhstairiúl agus luath-Chríostaí atá sa Ghleann, agus mar aon le háiteanna cosúla ar fud na tíre, tá traidisiúin agus béaloidis ag baint leo. Ag taobh thoir an ghleanna tá Tobar agus Coill Bherrihert. Is éard atá sa “choill” ná imfhalú chun clocha uathúla an suíomh a chaomhnú. I measc seo tá snoíodóireacht agus bas croise. Tá an tobar 20m ar leithead agus 1.5m domhain, agus deirtear nach féidir an t-uisce as a bheiriú. Tá Lá Fhéile Bherrihert's Day á céiliúradh go háitiúil gach 18 Feabhra. Sa Túirín, idir an Bháinseach agus an Chathair, tá Tobar Phecáin, atá ciorcal cloiche in aice leis. Tá Tobar Séadna, atá mar leigheas ar fhadhbanna na súl, ar thailte Sépéil Chluain Bheag. Chun cumhacht iomlán an tobair a bhraith, caithfear píosa d’éadaí an othair a cheangailt leis an gcrann in aice leis. Téann eachtraí reiligiúnda agus sóisialta chun noimh áitiúla a chomóradh le chéile.
Tearmann na gCeannairceach
Toisc suíomh fiáin an Ghleanna, bhí sé mar fhaoiseamh agus cosaint ag reibiliúnaigh. Bhí sé seo go mór le feiceáil ag tosach na 1600, nuair a bhí frithbheartaíocht láidir in aghaidh rialtais Éilise I. Ba i bpluais in aice an Ghleanna a lorg Séamas, “Iarla Súgánach” Deasumhan, tearmann ón rialtas tar éis teipeadh a cheannairce. Tháinig a sheanchomhghuaillí, Edmund Fitzgibbon, an Ridire Bán, air, agus thug sé do na húdaráis. Fuair Séamas bás i dTúr Londain 6 bhliain níos déanaí.
Mórshiúil Uí Shúilleabháin Bhéara
Sa bhliain 1602, le linn a mhórshiúil dáinséarach ó thuaidh, champáil Ó Súilleabháin in an Ghleanna agus shiúil sé tríd. D’fhág sé an Gleann Garbh le 1,000 fear, ach nuair a shroich sé Liatroim, ní raibh ach 35 fágtha. 11 lá a mhair an mórshiúil, agus d’ionsaigh fórsaí na nDilsitheoirí agus an aimsir iad ag gach casadh and at every roads turn the travelling party was assaulted by both the severity of the winter weather and attacks from loyalist forces.
Foinsí – Marnane, "Land and Settlement", www.aherlow.com
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Brabhsáil an bailiúchán chártaí poist stairiúla:
Cluain Meala - Nenagh - Tipperary - Roscrea - Templemore - Carrick on Suir - Cashel - Cahir - Thurles - Gleann Eatharlaí
nuashonraithe ar: Tuesday, 03-Aug-2010 15:40:10 IST