Old Mellifont Abbey in County Louth was the first Cistercian monastery in Ireland, founded in 1142 by St Malachy of Armagh. The site is located just a 10 minute drive from Drogheda and features an unusual octagonal lavabo in which the monks washed their hands, dating from circa 1200.
.Old Mellifont Abbey in County Louth was the first Cistercian monastery in Ireland, founded in 1142 by St Malachy of Armagh. The site is located just a 10 minute drive from Drogheda and features an unusual octagonal lavabo(shown) in which the monks washed their hands, dating from circa 1200. On the right-hand side you can just make out the ancient Abbey gateway,the entrance road formerly led through the archway beneath the tower. I picked up some light pollution from Drogheda,during my long exposure,but I think it adds a certain mystic to the photo.
Castle Roche is a Norman castle located some 10 km north-west of Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. It was the seat of the De Verdun family who built the castle in 1236 AD. It is built upon a large rocky outcrop and commands extensive views of the surrounding country. Together with a deep moat its strong walls rendered it virtually impregnable
