County Waterford
Ireland
Ardmore is a very nice village located just
off the N25 Road east of Youghal. It is known as the oldest Christian
settlement in Ireland. According to Irish history, St.
Declan lived there in the period 350-450 A.D. and christianised
this area before the coming of St. Patrick. There is a wonderful
12th Century Round Tower and it is one of the best examples in
all of Ireland of the round tower.
The Tower overlooks a beautiful bay and sandy beaches and
a quiet fishing village. Among other structures that are in ruins
are the Cathedral, St. Declan's Oratory, and St. Declan's Well
and Church
Ardmore
The gravestones are almost falling,
Due to time's wearing them away.
Those of the past; sharing eternity with the present.
Who were they? The names are
worn away.
Oh Ardmore, your ancient secrets are there,
To be found and perhaps discovered.
We walk among you now
The cold Irish wind from the sea,
Sending shivers thru us.
The grass grows among the stones,
Some covering those low to the ground.
The small cathedral, almost not there now,
Speaks of the faith never to be forgotten.
We send a prayer to heaven that
peace encompasses
All who lie there on the hill now and forever.
----BT
The beautiful Round Tower at Ardmore was
built in the 12th century. It rises to a height of 97 feet(30
meters) and is divided into four stories. The entrance doorway
is built 4 meters above the ground. The purpose of the Tower was
to serve as a place of refuge for the special book called the
ecclesiasticus and for the safe keeping of their books, chalices,
shrines and relics. If you look carefully on the face of the wall
in the foreground you will see the bas relief carvings
enlarged and shown in the next photo.
The Round Tower and Cathedral with
the west face showing the bas relief carvings.
To view a closeup photo of the bas relief carvings
click here.
The external carved bas reliefs date
from the Romanesque period(late 12th century). They are located
on the west gable of the nave of the cathedral.
The cathedral is on the site of St. Declan's
Monastery, the present ruin is of various periods and many styles.
The chancel is the oldest dating from the 9th century and the
nave from the 12th century.
