e year 1819" (Ibid, 283).

Avoca

St Kevin's Cup, Bullaun Stone

This is one of the most beautifully situated bullaun stones I have come across. The stone stands between the meeting point of the rivers Avonbeg and Avonmore, which is considered a local beauty spot. The stone is approximately 60 cms in length by 50 cms wide and roughly 40 cms high. It also appears to been broken or hewn at one end. As you can see from the images there is a single large bullaun about 30 cms across. The stone is thought to have been brought here from Sauls Fort, a small ancient mound or Fort at Lower Ballinderry, in the Parish of Rathdrum.

Pictured below is a view from the bullaun looking up the Avonmore River Irish:Abhainn Mhór, meaning "Big River", Abhainn Bheag means "small river" The meeting of the waters is celebrated in a song by Thomas More.

There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet. As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet;
Oh! the last rays of feeling and life must depart, Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from my heart.

Yet it was not that nature had shed o'er the scene. Her purest of crystal and brightest of green;
'Twas not her soft magic of streamlet or hill, Oh! no, it was something more exquisite still.

'Twas that friends, the beloved of my bosom, were near, Who made every dear scene of enchantment more dear,

And who felt how the best charms of nature improve, When we see them reflected from looks that we love.

Sweet vale of Avoca! how calm could I rest In thy bosom of shade, with the friends I love best,
Where the storms that we feel in this cold world should cease, And our hearts, like thy waters, be mingled in peace.


Situated: From Arklow take the R747 towards Woodenbridge, then turn left onto the R752 and drive north passed the town of Avoca. Keep going north till you reach the meetings public house. Follow the signs for the meetings.

Discovery OS Map 62. T 1895 8305. Last visit Nov 2019.

Longitude: 6° 13' 58" W

Latitude: 52° 53' 7" N

Google Map

Photos: Jim Dempsey.

Avonbeg

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