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Rock of Dunamase
| Portlaoise - Carlow Road (N80), Portlaoise Co. Laois | ||
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Visitor's rating: 10 vote(s) | ||
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| More attractions in Co. Laois. |
The Rock of Dunamase, about seven kilometres east off Portlaoise, is the most important historical site in County Laois. The name of the site, which is also known as Fort of the Plain, derived from the Gaelic Dun Masc.
The 45 meter high limestone outcrop, overlooking the Slieve Bloom Mountains and Portlaoise, literally stands out in the further levelled landscape. The Bronze Age settlers already saw its potential and they built a fortification on top of the Rock of Dunamase.
The Greek cartographer Ptolemy considered the fortification important enough to plot it on his world map in 140 AD. There is little known about the early years of the fort. It is known that the Mór clan gained control over the fortification until the Mac Murrough clan defeated them and that the Vikings paid a visit to the fort in 845.
The ruined castle which is now visible on the Rock of Dunamase is probably built in the eleventh century by the King of Leinster Diarmuid Mac Murrough.
In an attempt to end a long-lasting conflict Mac Murrough asked the Norman Richard FitzGilbert de Clare, better known as Strongbow, for support. In return for his support, which was the start of the Anglo-Norman Invasion, Strongbow was made King of Leinster and, by marrying Mac Murrough's daughter Aiofa, son-in-law. The castle on the Rock of Dunamase passed to Strongbow as part of the dowry.
After Strongbow the castle was granted to the Mortimer family. For reasons unknown they passed it to the descendants of the Mór clan, by that time known as the O'Moore family.
The O'Moore's renovated the castle, which kept the Book of Leinster for several years, and defended it successfully against the planters. When they finally got defeated they were exiled to County Kerry.
During the Confederate War the castle was held by the O'Neills until Cromwells men sacked and dismantled the Fort of the Plain.
According to a local legend there is a treasure hidden in the Rock of Dunamase. Do not get too exited though. Bandog, a hell-hound with enormous jaws and flaming mouth and eyes, guards over this treasure.
Perhaps it is a coincident, but do you remember the Sherlock Holmes tale The Hound of the Baskervilles? And do you remember the name of the biologist, one of the main characters? Is doctor Mortimer related to the Mortimer family which lived in the castle for a while?
Although the Rock of Dunamase is both important and impressive the site is poorly maintained. Nevertheless it is worthwhile a short visit.