Local History by Seán Beattie

Images

Rock Art

Rock Art, Isle of Doagh

The Isle of Doagh has one of the largest clusters of rock art sites in Ireland. The markings are around 4000-5000 years old. A UCD Ph.D researcher spent several weeks here as part of her studies on rock art in Ireland. There are other sites at Ardmore, Muff and on the edge of the Meentiagh Lakes between the shoreline and the road, 200 metres from the small pier. You do not have to leave your car to see the lake shore site. It consists of three concentric circles and other markings. Have a look soon. We live in an open air art gallery which charges no fees for entry. No need to travel to Newgrange or visit the Tate if you want real art…

OS 1835

Ordnance Survey mark 1835

This symbol was used by sappers in the British Army when they mapped Ireland for the Ordnance Survey in the 1830s. The gatepost is on my land opposite my house which means that the gatepost is almost 200 years old. I rebuilt the gatepost which was almost demolished when I located it. The crow’s foot is marked on the OS maps and shows this height was around 300 feet above sea level. Such marks were made every couple of hundred yards but few still survive. You can see one at Drumnagessan Bridge on the Ballyharry side. Even old gateposts have their own secret history. Stop and look at the next gatepost you meet when walking in the countryside. Local people got good wages when they were working with the sappers. The soldiers enjoyed the work as there was a  lull in warfare after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo.

I commissioned Tim Stampton, Ballagh Studios, Malin to make this wood engraving based in the collection of engravings in John Derricke’s The Image of Ireland (Blackstaff Press) first engraved in 1581. The traditional image of the Irish as a nation living on potatoes and porridge is far fetched. In this engraving, two part-time cooks prepare a feast for a chieftain     and the menu is an exotic one. You can see other aspects of the feast in the Blackstaff edition. Tim describes the original engraving as the work of highly skilled craftsmen. the meat is cooked in a huge carcase. Beats the microwave for my money. Yes we did have a Great Famine but at other times our ancestors enjoyed many a good take away.


2 Comments

  1. Interested in thr image at top of your blog – is it the Mevagh Cross?

  2. Kevin

    Sean, great blog and a fantastic way of finding out more about Inishowen. I love the sapper’s symbol, a great find!

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