Dunhill Castle and my failed geocaching

dolmen

I think that Ireland is at her prettiest in May-June when the Hawthorn hedgerows are in fool bloom. They say that a lone Hawthorn is a Fairy tree. People tie ribbons to them asking blessings from the Good Folk – Sidhe. There is such a tree in the outskirts of Clonmel. It is seen in the photographs that were taken in the beginning of the 20th century, but when I saw it just a couple of years ago, new ribbons were tied to its branches, which means that the fairies still reside there and answer prayers.

Anne Valley is no different from the other places, all frothed with the white lace of hawthorn flowers.

Looking up something in Google, I came across a Geocache page  where I learned that there is a cache at the dolmen near Dunhill village, and another one at the castle. I am not doing geocaching, but a couple of years ago our family came across a cache in the tree in Wasatch mountains. It was a fun surprise. I was going to take pictures of the dolmen anyway, because it stands close to Anne Valley,  so why not to do some treasure hunting. I took a bead bracelet with me and drove to Dunhill.

It is the Ballynageeragh dolmen, restored in 1940 ‘by P. Murray and sons’, as the inscription states. The massive capstone rests on a wall constructed from building blocks. The original stone is missing. The dolmen looks lonely in the middle of the field.

dolmen

I went around the dolmen a few times, looking into the holes between the stones, but the promised tupperware box was nowhere to be found. I guess I am not a good treasure hunter after all.

dolmen

My next destination was the Dunhill Castle.

This is a look down from the hill. I could see all the world from there. The weather was unusually warm and humid, with not a slightest breeze. Humming and buzzing of insects were the only sounds that disturbed that tranquil wilderness.

dunhill castle

This land was not always so peaceful. Unlike many others, Dunhill castle put up a resistance to Cromwell, and was destroyed by the artillery. In 1912, the east wall collapsed during a storm.

dunhill castle

Inside the castle.

dunhill castle

These steps lead to the first floor, but I didn’t climb them, unsure if I could make it there without railings, let alone get down.

dunhill castle

Look from inside the castle.

dunhill castle

Another look from inside the castle, this time at the Anne Valley.  Anne River was navigable in the times of the Dunhill Castle glory. You can see the ocean in the distance.

dunhill castle

Anne river is rushing to join the Ocean. You can read more about this stretch of the valley in Jane Tubridy blog post, because she walked there, and I just drove 🙂 .

anne river

And this is where we started our walk, just a mile away, Anne River all adorned with the Crowfeet weeds, with The Dunhill Castle silhouette in background.

anne river

I stop at the car park at the foot of the hill to have a closer look at the horses I saw from the castle window. Anne River is slightly deeper here, and runs silently, without cheerful gurgling. Knobby Club Rush is rustling in the wind, …

… delicate Ragged Robin gently trembles in the breeze.

Foxgloves look almost fluorescent under the dark canopy of the trees on the hill slope. I love their spotted trumpets and the strings of the sturdy buds.

foxglove

In my next blog,  I will write about the place where Anne River meets the Ocean. Hope you enjoyed the trip, and here is a Field sparrow for you to make you smile. He looks surprised because he didn’t see me come.

Ah, about the other geocache – I just forgot to look for it! 🙂

sparrow

Anne Valley Walk blog post started the series. One more post to follow. Hope you enjoyed this walk. 🙂

inese_mj_photographyHave a wonderful weekend!

171 comments

  1. Such beautiful photos of a dreamy, dreamy landscape. The hawthorn blossom, or May blossom as it’s often called, is always wonderful to see, and the story of the Fairy Tree and the Sidhe is just lovely. And what gorgeous foxgloves! As for the ruined castle, I’d love to have a poke around that, Like you, I don’t think I’d bother with those steps, either. Lol
    You even managed to include a dolmen in your post to add to the air of air of mystery and thoughts of ancient times. I really enjoyed joining you on your lovely walk today, Inese. You can always go geocache hunting another day. 🙂

    1. Thank you so much, Millie! A blog about hawthorn fairies on the way and scheduled for July 🙂 The castle is beautiful, and I had it to myself for almost an hour. Tourists are directed to park at the foot of the hill and climb the steps all the way up. Not everyone can make it. I came from the hillside, and just walked to the castle 🙂
      There are many dolmens around, but some of them are not accessible. This one is close to the road, and the farmer doesn’t mind people walking across his field.

      1. I’ll look forward to your post about fairies. I love to hear folklore tales. I found the dolmen interesting after we’ve just been round several ancient sites in Cornwall. One was a dolmen, but not as elaborate as that one. 😀

          1. Thank you for that. I’ll have a look as soon as I can. If we get to Ireland next year, I’d like to see a few for myself. 🙂

  3. So many beautiful photographs! I love castles and could spend the rest of my days happily exploring them. Since I don’t have the money for that (yet), I appreciate you sharing your travels. I’ve not heard of geocaching. I’ll have to explore the topic further! I love that you not only take photos of the castle, but the views and surrounding nature, as well. Lovely post. ❤

    1. Thank you so much for joining the walk! There are many castles around. I didn’t know about geocaches until we came across one in the mountains. My Son in law knew immediately what it was, but I had no idea. It was fun though.

  5. Inese, the lovely Hawthorne natural hedge with its legend was so wonderful! ❤ I loved this! The photos of the delicate and unique flowers also captured my interest. Stones in piles had magical symbolism, I think! 🙂 You will share more, for this I am thankful!

      1. Aw Inese thank you It’s a nice size of place.. We actually live out in Broughty Ferry. But city wise nothing is far really . Nice shops, restaurants, live music scene, pubs and the Angus glens are on the doorstep. x

  8. Beautiful post and pictures. I loved how you had the caste but also the nature that surrounds it as it stands there quietly in the sun, older than the flowers and birds. I felt I could hear them singing and the water rippling. Wonderful evocative post . You found treasures in these things just the same.

    1. Thank you so much! The days was so beautiful, I thought the place would be packed with tourists, and so it was when I walked back to my car. I had the place to myself for almost and hour. It was amazing.

      1. WOW. It looks as if no-one ever goes there. A real forgotten treasure so it is great you captured it that way. She the camera gods had your back! .Interesting about Cromwell too. His right hand man came to my home town Dundee and invited its surrender. Dundee being Dundee invited his. Anyway the town was razed to the ground. Talking towers the townspeople mounted a heroic defence from St Mary’s tower. It still stands today . Terrible times and things that man did.

        1. Yes, he conquered half of Ireland too. So, the Tower still stands? It is amazing! Looking back, it is clear that people have never lived in peace. There will be wars, and my heart hurts when I think of my grandchildren.
          Families and tourists visit Dunhill, but when the weather is great and the tide is out, they rather go to the beach instead 🙂

      2. Yep the old steeple was built to last. it’s the oldest building in Dundee. We must hope our grandchildren inherit peace but you are right. You have certainly brought Dunhill to life for me xxxxx

  9. I love the lore about the Hawthorne, Inese. How wonderful and magical. The photo of the inside of the castle with the arched roof and archways was very cool – amazing architecture. Thanks for taking me on your walk 🙂

    1. Thank you so much, Diana! Yes, the arched ceiling was surprisingly intact, and looked really cool. I think I heard baby bats chirping somewhere between the stones.
      A hawthorn fairy blog scheduled for the July 2. 🙂

    1. Bruce, you have a treasure there. Cut all your old t-shirts in ribbons, put the ribbons on the branches, make a wish and just wait! If I were that lucky!

  12. The aged looks inside the castle are great. It makes me wonder what it would like when it were still live way back. I can feel gentle swaying of the ragged robin by the breeze. I really enjoy the tour!

    1. Thank you so much! I was sitting there and wondering, like you did – what the life looked like centuries ago? I know there was a small village and a church within the castle walls. Thank you for joining the walk!

  17. Beautiful photos and history to go along with it. You make me feel like I am there but I do know photographs do not pay tribute to the essence thereof. Be well my friend

    1. Thank you so much! I do my best, so that my pictures convey what I see and feel, but I always fail 🙂 If I had the gift of Word, I would fill up the gaps 🙂 This world is so beautiful, painfully beautiful. Wishing you well!

  20. Thank you Inese — for bringing us on this truly lovely walk! So much beauty in one blog post. I’m swept away into the magical world you’ve created. Mega hugs!

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