Annaghkeen

Not far away, but in the parish of Killursa is the castle of Eanach Caoin. It is a square keep, the outer walls of which are perfect, except upon the north side. That upon the lake or west side is forty-six feet long, and that on the south, here represented, is fifty feet. There are also some remains of the outer enclosure, and the whole is surrounded by a very beautiful park of the finest land, ornamented with some aged ash. Of all the castles surrounding Loch Coirib, this would appear from its masonry to be the oldest; for, although it has not been dilapidated for building purposes, it is not possible to find in it or around it a single dressed stone of any description; the quoins, door-ways, and window openings being, with the walls, both within and without, all formed of undressed stone. At the north-west corner there is a square tower, and probably a similar one existed on the north-east. All the outerwalls of this structure are six feet thick, and contain passages leading to the upper apartments and the parapet. Some of the arches of the windows and doors are circular, and others pointed; but all ingeniously constructed with stones to which a hammer or chisel was never applied--in like manner as in the arch of the east window in the beautiful old church of Cross, and as we find in other localities where the great abundance and variety in form of the surrounding limestone afforded ample materials for any description of building, and the ingenuity of the artists was equal to the task of rendering them subservient to architectural purposes. Even to the present day, every man in this and the adjoining limestone districts is more or less a mason.

Greenfields

Greenfields owes its fame to not only having a very pleasant location on the lakeshore, but also it is by far the most important fishing berth on the east shore of Lough Corrib. In early Summer, it is agog with activity as anglers gather from all over the world for the trout fishing, when the mayfly rises. Leading from Greenfields, stretching across the water is a long, narrow roadway. This road was built in the early 1960s, and links Inchaquin, one of the largest islands on the lake, to the mainland. Indeed, according to William R. Wilde, it encompasses an area of 229acres, and supported 14 families in 1909 (Galway Express, July 1909). It has associations with St. Brendan the Navigator, who it is said built a church there. However there is little trace of that building now.

FISHING
Lough Corrib, the largest lake in the state covers 44,000 acres. It extends from Galway City to Maam in Connemara, a distance of 35 miles approximately. The vast expanse of water remains unrivalled in Europe for its variety of scenery and amenities. Fishing is a sport greatly enjoyed by anglers - both native and foreign. Salmon and trout are the species which attract the anglers. The trout season is open from February 15th to September 30th. Salmon from February lst to September 30th. Access to the lake can be gained from the many piers on the shoreline - Kilbeg and Greenfields are the most prominent of these. The visitor will have no difficulty '.n acquiring full information from the many brochures published by the local Tourist Board. Boats and boatrnen are available locally. One needs only to enquire from local hotels and guesthouses.

Killursa

Killursa is about 1.5 miles west of Headford on the Greenfields road. It is a ruined church set in an extensive graveyard. The ruin measures 70feet by 24feet, and it has a gothic pointed doorway, and a large mullioned gothic window, which indicates that the present structure was erected after the Norman invasion, 1169. A wall was built across this church, probably cutting off a section for the officiating clergyman, who had his habitat there. Killursa means the church of St. Fursa whose statue one sees as one enters the graveyard. It was here St. Fursa had the famous visions of the unseen world which grave authors assert inspired Dante to write his “Comedia Divina”. Among those visions, Fursa narrates how the holy Bishops Meldan, and Beacon appeared to him, and described the enormous evils of pride, especially spiritual and intellectual pride, and they told him that abstinence, and self-denial were unavailing, unless the soul was cleansed from malice and iniquity! This same Fursa is remembered in Peronne, a small town east of Paris. Here he preached in the 7th century and we can see a fine statue of him in the Catholic Church in Peronne, and there is also an alleyway and a pharmacy called after him!

Kilbeg Pier

We continue the narrow winding road which for some distance resembles more a grassy path than a roadway,and we come to Kilbeg on the lakeshore. This is the narrowest point of the lake and directly across from Kilbeg on the west side is Knockferry .The pier which extends a short distance out in the lake is a reminder of former days . Little used now except by anglers and the occasional pleasure boat,it was used extensively in the past as a stopping point when ferries travelled regularly on the lake from Cong to Galway. The steamer 'St. Patrick 'operated between Galway and Cong up to 1914 and was obviously in demand as the timetable indicates."leaves Wood Quay ( alway) on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays for Cong at 12 noon calling at Kilbeg and returning from Cong on each alternate dayduring the Winter months. In Summer from 15th. March to 15th. October ,she leaves Wood Quay at 3.00p.m. returning from Cong the following day at 8p.m. One hopes the endeavours of many people on both sides of the lake to build a bridge across the water at this point will come to fruition.

Cargin Castle

Cargin Castle is our next stop. It has been a landmark on the Eastern shore of the Corrib for almost 7 centuries. For long a neglected ruin ,the Castle has been restored to it's former glory, using the same materials and techniques as the original 13th. century builders Modern comforts have been incorporated without detracting from the charm and simple grandeur of this ancient dwelling, a rare beautiful example of the medieval " Hall House. Despite its massive castellated wall, Cargin was never a mere fortress but rather an elegant home where a land owning family could have security in turbulent times. For 10 generations , the castle was occupied by descendants of its founder, Adam Gaynard III,the grandson of a Norman adventurer who took part in the colonisation of this locality in the early period of the Norman invasion .Sometime in the middle of the 17th. Century a period of intense turbulence in Irish History, another military adventurer ,George Staunton acquired 'the castle and the lands of Cargin which his descendants continued to own until 1946. By then the castle had long been abandoned and the roof was stripped in the early 18th. Century. Mush of the stonework was demolished to make lime for the construction of the nearby Georgian Mansion. However due to the eeforts of the present owner the castle has been restored to its original majesty and glory in 1970- for that we are thankful.

Inchaquin

Inchaquin, the largest island in Lough Corrib, contains 229 acres. "On this island of Insequin St. Brendan built a chappell and worked divers miracles," wrote O'Flaberty, and in 580 St. Meldan was abbot of the institution put up by Brendan. This and the other Corrib isles were pilliaged by the Danes. Its Irish name is Inis Mac-Hy-Chuinn, or the island of the descendants of Con, monarch of Ireland in the second century, and in olden times the lake itself was called lnis-Ui-Chuinn. Here King Roderick rested after his dethronement in 1183.

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