Knockmore, Fermanagh
| Knockmore | |
| Fermanagh | |
|---|---|
 View of Legland and Knockmore | |
| Summit: | 909 feet H089504 54°24’7"N, 7°51’50"W |
Knockmore is an upland area and townland in Fermanagh, outside the village of Derrygonnelly, in the Barony of Magheraboy. Its name is the Gaelic Cnoc Mór, meaning simply 'Big hill'.
This area, together with the adjacent Barrs of Boho and most of the uplands in Boho parish, are described as the Knockmore Scarplands.[1] The focal point of the area is Knockmore summit at 909 feet above sea level.
This area is notable for its flora and geology which is protected under an areas of special scientific interest designation, namely the 'West Fermanagh Scarplands ASSI' and 'West Fermanagh Scarplands Special Area of Conservation'.[1] There are also a number of sites of archaeological significance, which have been recorded since the late 19th century.[2]
Geology
The Knockmore area is known for its dramatic cliffs. It also gives its name to a type of limestone described as Knockmore Limestone [1] which contains a number of caves.[3]
Flora and fauna
The flora and fauna in this area are largely as a result of the underlying limestone and sandstone geology, consisting of upland heath mixed with calcareous grassland.[1] The area is especially noted for the appearance of Irish eyebright (Euphrasia salisburgensis), which is considered a priority species regionally.[4]
History
There is a mention in old tales of a castle belonging to the Flannagan Clan which was located on Knockmore.[5]
Cave archaeology
The summit of Knockmore contains at least 15 small caves which have been the subject of archeological visits since the late 19th century.[2] The most significant of these is "Lettered Cave" (or Inscribed Cave), situated fifty yards from Knockmore summit, which is partially man-made.[6] The cave is named for the art and writing of varying age inscribed on the walls, ranging from early Celtic and Christian designs to simple marking of names and dates. It was investigated by William Wakeman (1866–70)[6][7][8] and Thomas Plunkett (1870, 1878 and 1898)[2][9] and is now a scheduled ancient monument.[3]
Among the other caves studied on Knockmore is Gillie's Hole, located part-way up the southern cliff face of the summit.[10] It is named for its 18th-century occupants, reportedly a young couple ostracised by their families. The cave was discovered by Wakeman (1870) to contain further inscriptions of ancient Celtic origin.[10]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Knockmore Scarpland Landscape: Northern Ireland Environment Agency
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Plunkett, Thomas (1879). "Report of the committee appointed to Explore the Fermanagh Caves". Report of the 48th Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Dublin, 1878 (London: Murray, John): 183–185. https://archive.org/stream/reportofbritisha79brit#page/182/mode/2up/search/cave. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Knockmore–Pollaraftra; Lettered Cave: Earth Science Conservation Review (via Habitas)
- ↑ Irish Eyebright: NIEA
- ↑ Boho Heritage Organisation (2009). Edel Bannon. ed. Boho Heritage: A treasure trove of history and lore. Mallusk, Northern Ireland: Nicholson & Bass Ltd. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-9560607-0-9.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Wakeman, W. F. (1870). "On the cave of Knockmore, Co. Fermanagh". Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy (Dublin: Gill, M. H.) X: 229–232. https://archive.org/stream/proceedingsroya01acadgoog#page/n280/mode/2up/search/cave. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ↑ Wakeman, William F. (1891). Hand-Book of Irish Antiquities, Pagan and Christian; especially of such as are of easy access from the Irish Metropolis (2nd ed.). Dublin: Hodges, Figgis and Co. pp. 35–39. http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/william-f-william-frederick-wakeman/a-hand-book-of-irish-antiquities-pagan-and-christian-eka/page-3-a-hand-book-of-irish-antiquities-pagan-and-christian-eka.shtml.
- ↑ Burns, G. et al (ed.) (1997), p.22
- ↑ Burns, G. et al (ed.) (1997), p.16
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Wakeman, W. F.: 'On the cavern called "Gillie's Hole" at Knockmore, Co. Fermanagh': Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Volume X (Gill, M. H., 1870) pages 395–397
- Jones, Gareth Ll.; Burns, Gaby; Fogg, Tim; Kelly, John: 'The Caves of Fermanagh and Cavan' (2nd Ed.) (Lough Nilly Press, 1997) ISBN 0-9531602-0-3
Further reading
- Wakeman, W. F. (1870). Lough Erne, Enniskillen, Belleek, Ballyshannon, and Bundoran: with Routes from Dublin to Enniskillen and Bundoran, by Rail or Steamboat. Dublin: John Mullany. pp. 117–120. https://archive.org/stream/lougherneennisk00wakegoog#page/n131/mode/1up.
- Plunkett, Thomas (1879). "Report of the committee appointed to Explore the Fermanagh Caves". Report of the 48th Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Dublin, 1878 (London: Murray, John): 183–185. https://archive.org/stream/reportofbritisha79brit#page/182/mode/2up/search/cave. Retrieved 2011-01-24.