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Fenagh
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Fenagh is a village
in the southern part of County Leitrim. It is located just over 5km
south west of Ballinamore.
This small village can trace its roots right back to the 6th century
when St. Cailin, a famous theologian founded a monastery there. The
famous Book of Fenagh was completed at the monastery in 1516 and a
copy is now held at the Royal Irish Academy. Today two church ruins
stand on the site of this earlier monastery.
A number of standing stones in the vicinity represent the petrified
bodies of druids who tried to expel St. Caillin from Fenagh. There
are a number of other prehistoric remains located in or near the
village. A portal tomb, to the north of the village is said to be
the burial place of the great King Conal Gulben. Nineteen Gaelic
Kings are said to be buried in the graveyard.
This rich history is well documented in the Fenagh Visitors Centre.
Explanations, descriptions and maps of the monastery, churches and
significant archaeological sites in the locality can be viewed in
this centre.
The celebrated writer John McGahern lived wrote and farmed in Fenagh
for the last thirty years of his life. Much of his inspiration for
his celebrated works, 'Amongst Women', 'That they may face the
Rising Sun' and 'Memoir' comes from this sleepy little village. |
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Fenagh Holiday Homes - County Leitrim, Ireland