Trace of Irish Architecture
Above: Early Irish building
Irish architecture may be traced to a rude and very remote origin. Two raths are referred to as erected in the course of the invasion of Neimheadh, namely Rath Cinneich in Uibh Nuallain and Rath Cimbaoith in Seimhne. At Tur Conaing in Toirinis dwelt the Fomorians. Slainghe, first king of all Ireland, died at Dionnriogh, called also Dumha Slainghe. His successor Rughruidhe fell at Brugh na Boinne, reckoned the most impressive relic of antiquity north of the Alps. Breoghan, grandfather of Mileadh, had a castle on his coat of arms ; Aileach Neid x was in existence when Iotha reached Ulster from Spain. Eireamhon and Eibhear, on Ireland being divided between them, took, each of them, five heroes, and each of those had a dun erected for himself, the principal of them being Rath Beitheach, Rath Airde Suird, Rath Carraige Feadha, Dun Sobhairce, Dun Deilginse, Dun Eadair. Tea, wife of Eireamhoin, had a residence erected at Tara, and Irial Faidh their son is credited with having erected as many as seven royal raths. Few other residences are referred to until the erection of Eamhain Macha by the sons of Dioth-orba, and of Rath Cruachan by the father of Meadhbh. Incidentally we are told that " the first builders, . . . whose monuments still bear witness to their labour, were the dolmen or cromlech builders." In Leinstcr the roofing stones of the cromlech vary in length from eighteen to twenty-nine feet, and their weight is on an average one hundred and ten tons. In Ulster their average length is twenty-five feet; in Connacht, from eight to ten feet ; in Munster, seven feet to fourteen.’ Bones have been found under all dolmens examined, urns under some.
The Fir Bolg after much wandering over the islands of Scotland, were expelled by the Cruithnigh—so runs the ancientstory and came to the king of Leinster, from whom they obtained land, but at a rent they could not endure. Eventually having been driven off by the Red Branch Knights, they approached Meadhbh, and, with the erection of Dun Aonghusa in Aran, brought to a close the series of duns constructed by them in different parts of Ireland. This interesting and historic dun at Inis Mor stands on the edge of a cliff wall rising to a height of about 300 feet. The outer wall is over 2,000 feet long and eight feet in thickness, enclosing a space 250 feet, by 650 at its widest. Dun Conchubhair on Inis Meadhoin’is an’oval enclosure, measuring 221 feet by 115, and surrounded by a wall twenty feet high. Other extensive forts are at Moghaun in Clare, beside which the art treasures already referred to were found; Dunbeag in Corca Dhuibhne; Aileach Neid, as it now exists, similar to Cathair Gheal, the Staigue and several kindred structures in Kerry. Cathair Chonroi, Dun Aonghusa and other forts are mentioned in our literature as existing at the coming of Christ. They were, of course, built of stone, and in the cyclopean style : in the east of Ireland wood appears to have been used in place of stone.
