CLONEGAL & THE WATCH:

Set in a valley between the Blackstairs and Wicklow Mountains these twin villages straddle the meeting place of the rivers Slaney and Derry where the counties of Carlow, Wexford and Wicklow meet, with about one third of its area and population in each county. The viewing area by the River Derry has an explanatory viewing map and painting of the surrounding area.

The mountains, the valleys and the rivers, the fishing and shooting facilities have made these villages favourite stopping places for many years and indeed the area is sometimes referred to as the "Switzerland of Ireland" for its outstanding natural beauty. Among those to visit Clonegal are Prince Michael of Greece, Mick Jagger, Jack Charlton, Gabriel Byrne and many more with international reputations in all walks of life.

VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Huntington (or Clonegal Castle), the ancient seat of the Esmonde family is today one of Ireland's historical treasures. The first Lord Esmonde was granted large tracts of land by King Charles II, and built this magnificent granite castle in 1625 on the site of an earlier one, which dates back to 1400. The last owner was known as Prior O' Neill who had built his castle on the site of an ancient Priory. The granite stones and oak beams from this castle were used in the erection of the 1625 building.

The Castle is one of the finest examples of Jacobean architecture. Huntington Castle is associated with numerous historical events, myth and legend and today is home to the Durdin - Robertson family, direct descendants of Lord Esmonde. Like every good Castle, Huntington Castle has its own ghost, in fact it has two. Bishop Leslie, Bishop of Limerick, when retired stayed at the Castle in the 18th century. He appears either standing at the end of the bed, or as a portrait of himself over the fireplace in the "Four Poster Room" when guests are staying in the room.

The ghost of Ailish O' Flaherty, the first wife of Lord Esmonde, and grand-daughter of Grace O' Malley, the Pirate Queen, is seen standing by the "Spy Bush", wailing and combing her long hair accompanied by a white cat. Her husband went off to the wars and this is the spot where she watched and waited for his return. In the castle grounds is the enchanting Yew walk canopied by the trees which were said to have been planted by monks over 700 years ago. In the basement of the castle is the Temple of Isis, the ancient Egyptian Goddess. Other features include a lime tree walk and a museum of modern art.

2000 saw the renovation of the Weavers Cottages, first built to the direction of Alexander Durdan of Huntington Castle in 1690. They were lived in by weavers when the trade was at its height and are now used for spinning demonstrations and evenings of story telling, music, song and dance.

Clonegal is the terminus of the Wicklow Way Walking Trail. The trail commences in Dublin's Marley Park and leads through the beautiful Wicklow countryside, crossing mountains, rivers and forests until it ends in the village. Visitors will enjoy Osborne's historic pub where a certificate for completion of the route may be obtained.

The word heritage means a lot to the people of the parish as within its confines are several indications of the length of time civilisation has been in the area. The two leading indicators are the Cranavane Well which dates back long before Christian times and the ancient dolmen or tomb of Labbansighe (Bed of the Fairies) - a communal burial place dating from the middle of the Bronze Age c. 1100 B.C. St. Fiaacs Church of Ireland church in the village is built on what is one of the oldest used cemeteries in Europe.

 

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