STONE and CROW

Corcomroe Cistercian Abbey was built during the latter part of the twelfth century by Domnal Mór Ua Briain, who was the King of Thomond of the Dál gCais clan (their lands being counties Clare, Limerick and part of Tipperary).  

Donal was the patron of several such religious buildings and I presume that this investment paid off by having the clergy under your control and onside during the Norman invasion which was instigated by the King of Leinster, Diarmait Mac Murchada. It was four hundred years later that the Dál gCais finally came under Anglo - Norman control.

The last Abbot was John O’Dea in 1628, after which it became dissolute.

In the bottom righthand corner you can see a warning notice about not standing on the graves.

Tomb of Conor O'Brien, King of Thomond who died in 1268.

During my recent visit to Corcromroe Abbey I and a local man were rather disappointed with the visitors who, with total lack of awareness, were walking across the gravestones as if they were paving slabs. 

This, despite the numerous notices asking them not to do so. 

They seemed not realise that they were walking on history and graves, a great many years older than the U.S. itself.

My fear is that eventually these old inscribed stones will be so worn away that there will be nothing left to admire. 

The central carving above is believed to be an anchor? 

An arch of hearts?

I talk to the crows and have been doing so for a number of years. 

When I noticed this one perched high up on a gable end I called up and said 

“ Hello Crow, I have come to visit your home place” to which I received a soft 

‘ Caw - awk ’ in return, as she glanced down at me.

You have to mind yourself with Crows and treat them carefully for they can understand what we say; in a similar way the Starlings too can understand me.

Several months back our wonderful black cat, Magic, died and as I was burying him the Starlings were sat in a long line on a wire above the garden noisily chattering away to each other. 

I wanted silence to do what I had to do, so I raised my arms to them and said 

“Be quiet now, show some respect” and they remained silent until all was complete.

If you visit the links below you can read more about the Abbey, in greater detail.

http://www.megalithicireland.com/Corcomroe%20Abbey,%20Clare.html

http://www.monastic.ie/history/corcomroe/

ttp://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/autumnal_rambles/corcumroe_abbey.htm

I won't be updating this blog until after the Summer Solstice - 20th June.