Menu

callisterni

About callisterni

Posts by :

The Martello Tower: Magilligan Point

0

The Martello Tower, Magilligan Point, County Londonderry.

The Martello Tower, Magilligan Point, County Londonderry.

The Martello Tower at Magilligan Point, is an important historical site in County Londonderry. Built in 1812, the tower was strategically positioned at the entrance to Lough Foyle, so that a 24-pounder cannon, mounted on the top, could be fired against any invading fleet. The round structure had massively thick walls and a flat top so that a gun could be pointed in any direction.
 
The tower was built to withstand a seige, being built on top of a spring, so that any troops trapped inside would at least have a supply of fresh water. There were living quarters below the gun platform and the ground floor was used to store powder and ammunition.
 
The tower is located in a picturesque setting looking out over the Atlantic Ocean, close to the lovely beach of Benone Strand. From here, there is a splendid view of Greencastle and the Donegal Hills on the other side of Lough Foyle. 
 
Martello Towers are named after a fort at Mortello Point in Corsica, which successfully withstood bombardment from the British Royal Navy in 1794 during the Napoleanic wars. The British were so impressed with the strength of the tower that they copied the design and built their own, placing them in strategic locations around the coast of England and Ireland. This one at Magilligan is one of the most northerly in Ireland. There is a similar tower in Greencastle, on the other side of Lough Foyle.
The tower was a defence against any invading fleet entering Lough Foyle

The tower was a defence against any invading fleet entering Lough Foyle

Just across the sand dunes, Benone Strand, a popular beach in Northern Ireland

Just across the sand dunes, Benone Strand, a popular beach in Northern Ireland

There were no further attempts to invade Ireland after 1798 and the garrison stationed here didn't ever need to fire a shot.

There were no further attempts to invade Ireland after 1798 and the garrison stationed here didn't ever need to fire a shot.

Andrew Jackson Cottage/US Rangers Museum

0

Andrew Jackson Cottage/US Rangers Museum
Today’s post shows the ancestral home of Andrew Jackson, 7th President of the United States. The original building was a traditional thatched cottage from the 1750s, which has been refurbished. It was the home of Andrew Jackson’s parents before they emigrated to South Carolina around 1765.
 
The site, at Boneybefore, close to Carrickfergus town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, also houses the US Rangers Museum, paying homage to the soldiers of the First Battalions of the elite US Rangers.
 
The cottage is a tourist attraction and open to the public five days a week, although currently temporarily closed to the public due to COVID restrictions.
 
Andrew Jackson Cottage/US Rangers Museum

Andrew Jackson lived from 1767 – 1845 and was an American lawyer, soldier, and statesman, before taking office as the seventh President of the United States from 1829 to 1837.

Andrew Jackson Cottage/US Rangers Museum

The plaque reads:

The parents of 7th U.S. President Andrew Jackson emigrated from their cottage at Boneybefore to the Carolinas around 1765. They settled in the Waxhaw region. Arthur Dobbs, of Castle Dobbs, Carrickfergus, was governor of North Carolina at this time.

DiscoverUlsterScots.com

Andrew Jackson Cottage/US Rangers Museum
Andrew Jackson Cottage/US Rangers Museum

Tomorrow: William Allen White

0

The strange ruin encountered on a trail through Castlewellan Forest, turned out to be a 20ft diameter tea house, built by Hugh Annesley (5th Earl Annesley) for his family on his Castlewellan estate in County Down. It had spectacular views over the Mourne Mountains and a nearby lake which is also part of the Annesley Castlewellan estate. It forms part of a popular trail through the forest and gardens, enjoyed today by the public.
The strange ruin encountered on a trail through Castlewellan Forest, turned out to be a 20ft diameter tea house, built by Hugh Annesley (5th Earl Annesley) for his family on his Castlewellan estate in County Down. It had spectacular views over the Mourne Mountains and a nearby lake which is also part of the Annesley Castlewellan estate. It forms part of a popular trail through the forest and gardens, enjoyed today by the public.
Hugh Annesley's tea-house, built in 1844
Hugh Annesley’s tea-house, built in 1844
The Annesley family built up a substantial estate in the south of County Down over a number of generations including a castle and forest at Castlewellan. They held a lease on the estate since the 17th century, and bought the freehold in 1741.
 
Hugh Annesley, (1831-1908) was an Eton-College-educated professional soldier who became Colonel of the Scots Fusilier Guards in 1860. He became 5th Earl Annesley after the death of his brother, William Richard in 1874, inheriting the family seat of Castlewellan Castle. Here, as a keen gardener, he continued the development of the arboretum and gardens, and even published a book about the rare trees in his collection.
 
 
PNICstlwllnMoorhse3_1500op
PNICsrllnMoorhse4_1500op-3367
After his military career, Hugh became MP for County Cavan. The photos in today’s post show what remains of the 20 foot diameter tea-house, which he built in 1884 for his family. Constructed on high ground, it provided a panoramic view of Castlewellan Lake. On fine summer days the family would make the journey to the tea house, one of two in the demesne, by pony and chaise. A groom and footman would be in attendance. The task of the footman, described as ‘a tall Londoner’, was to brew and serve the tea.
 
Hugh Annesley was also a pioneering amateur photographer. Thirty-five albums of his photographs are in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. They include pictures taken during the wars in South Africa and the Crimea, (where he was severely injured) and during a visit to Japan, as well as photographs of his home at Castlewellan and the surrounding area. He became the third largest landowner in County Down, with about 25,000 acres, extending from the mountains of Slieve Croob to Slieve Donard.

Past/Future: Charles R Swindoll

0

A walker takes a stroll through Castlewellan Forest on an afternoon during lockdown.
A walker takes a stroll through Castlewellan Forest on an afternoon during lockdown.

With a view of the mountains and a nearby lake, this has become a favourite place for people to get away from it all during COVID restrictions and the current period of lock-down. Yesterday, (Tues 6th April) was the last day of the traditional Easter holidays. Here in Northern Ireland in normal times, many would have made a day-trip to the North Antrim coast or other seaside resort for a break.

This year, the Easter period has been much different. Travelling anywhere for leisure purposes where there are likely to be crowds, is discouraged; so thankfully, places like this forest exist. With statistics recording an increase in mental health problems during the lockdown period, it may help to spend some time in a different environment, preferably one that’s conducive to de-stressing.

2020 has been a most difficult year for many. Loss of life and livelihoods have been part of the package of the COVID pandemic. In today’s quote from Charles Swindoll, he advises us to put the past behind, and look to the future with hope. This may not be an easy thing to do, but thankfully there are natural resources that can help. Forests, lakes, the sea, and places of quietness and solitude can help de-stress the mind and give us hope for a better future.

Charles Swindoll is the former president of Dallas Theological Seminary and the author of more than 70 books. He is also the founder of the radio programme, “Insight for Living” which is aired on more than 2000 stations as well as being webcast.

Happy Easter

0

A Very Happy Easter to people of goodwill everywhere. The photo above shows the site of the very first Christian church in Ireland, founded by St Patrick in 432AD, making this the oldest ecclesiastical site in Ireland. It's located at Saul, County Down, in Northern Ireland, just a few miles from where St Patrick's remains are buried at Down Church of Ireland Cathedral, Downpatrick.
A Very Happy Easter to people of goodwill everywhere. The photo above shows the site of the very first Christian church in Ireland, founded by St Patrick in 432AD, making this the oldest ecclesiastical site in Ireland. It’s located at Saul, County Down, in Northern Ireland, just a few miles from where St Patrick’s remains are buried at Down Church of Ireland Cathedral, Downpatrick.

Castlewellan Forest 2

0

PNICstlwlln1500op-3423
PNICstlwllntrees1500op-3362
An arboretum is defined as: ‘a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes.’ Northern Ireland’s National Arboretum is located here at Castlewellan Forest in County Down. Some of the trees here hold records across the United Kingdom and Ireland for their height. The overall collection of trees here, ranks as the finest in Ireland and among the top three in the British Isles. They are set in beautiful surroundings which include fountains, ponds, ornamental greenhouses and broad sweeping scenic views.
 

Castlewellan Forest 1

0

PNICstwln1_1500op3358
PNICstlwln2_1500op-3411

Castlewellan Forest, County Down. A favourite for walkers and a place of refuge for people seeking a peaceful setting away from the stresses and anxieties of COVID and other life circumstances.

Inch Abbey 3

0

The River Quoile from Inch Abbey, Downpatrick, with a view of the Mound of Down Cathedral where St Patrick's remains are buried.

The River Quoile from Inch Abbey, Downpatrick, with a view of the Mound of Down Cathedral where St Patrick's remains are buried.

PNIInchAbbey2_17-5027
PNI3InchAbbey17-5028

Some of the detail from the ruin of the 12th Century, Inch Abbey, in this peaceful island setting in County Down

Inch Abbey 2

0

A distant Down Cathedral, St Patrick's resting place, as seen from the grounds of Inch Abbey, Downpatrick, County Down

A distant Down Cathedral, St Patrick's resting place, as seen from the grounds of Inch Abbey, Downpatrick, County Down

Part of St Patrick's Trail and popular site for visitors in Downpatrick

Part of St Patrick's Trail and popular site for visitors in Downpatrick

The text on the signage reads:

Inch Abbey was founded as a Cistercian Abbey by John De Courcy in the 1180s in atonement for his destruction of nearby Erenagh Abby

The Abbey was colonised by monks from Furness in Lancashire and, together with Grey Abbey, is the earliest example of Gothic architecture in Ireland and finest example of Anglo-Norman Cistercian architecture in Ulster. It may have been here that Jocelyn, a monk from Furness, wrote his life of Saint Patrick under the patronage of De Courcy as he attempted to win over the local population.

The island site still retains a feeling of peace and seclusion for the visitor, and as well as the picturesque ruins of the church and surrounding buildings, it is also possible to see more unusual survivals, including a bakehouse and possible infirmary.

Monasterboice, founded by an early follower of St Patrick

0

High cross at the remains of an early Christian monastic settlement in County Louth.

High cross at the remains of an early Christian monastic settlement in County Louth.

This site which is a favourite with tourists, is a monastic settlement located at Monasterboice in County Louth. It was founded in the late 5th century by Saint Buite who was one of St. Patrick’s original followers. The cross above, known as the Tall Cross, stands at seven metres or twenty-two feet high, making it the tallest of the Irish crosses. The engravings depict stories from the Old and New Testament that would have been used to educate early Christians.

Also at Monasterboice, standing 5.2 metres high, the cross of Muiredach. This 'west face' depicts scenes from the New Testament and there are also scriptural panels on the sides.

Also at Monasterboice, standing 5.2 metres high, the cross of Muiredach. This 'west face' depicts scenes from the New Testament and there are also scriptural panels on the sides.

Load More