Old Statistical Account 1794
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Summary
McColl, Rev A (1794) Old Statistical Account, Parish of Tiry [includes Coll], Vol. X, pp. 401–2.
Antiquities
‘There are many signs of Danish invaders having for some time possessed these isles. Among these are Fingalian and other tales repeated by the inhabitants mentioning engagements and the names of chieftains. At this day they point out their burying places, whence the ground derives its name. Nor are their duns, forts or watch-towers less remarkable. There are 39 remains of them in the two islands, generally built on rocks around the whole coast, and within sight of some other. They are said to have been used when an enemy appeared for suddenly alarming the country by the signal of fire. There are two walls without any appearance of lime or cement. The inner is circular and the outer often assumes the figure of the rock on which it is founded …
‘There are 15 remains of old chapels or churches, at some of which are burying grounds and crosses still to be seen. There is at the chapel of Kilkeneth in Tiry, a burying ground so sandy that, by blowing, heaps of human bones are seen and coffins often exposed, before half consumed. It is now surrounded by sand banks higher than the side walls; they no longer bury here. Alongst the coasts, in many parts, are buried the remains of drowned persons cast ashore. At the above hill of Ceanmhara, on a very ragged declivity, is situated St Patrick’s temple. The vestige of a wall incloses it in one third of an acre of land. It is 26 by 11 feet within walls, the side walls 5 2/3 feet high; one gable six inches thicker than the other; without a roof and all built of stone and lime. A square alter in the east end is still 18 inches high. A cross without the pedestal 4 feet. Within 60 yards of it, at the shore on the top of a rock, is made a hollow, 2 feet in diameter and 4 deep, called by the country people St Patrick’s Vat. There are 9 or 10 stones in different parts of the parish, seemingly erected as monuments. British, Danish and other small silver coins, in small earthen vessels, have often been dug out of mosses and sandy ground. Two years ago was discovered a bent tubular piece of gold about 2L value, the two ends not closely joined, and not unlike a sort of earing. In a stackyard at Cornaigbeg in Tiry, in digging pits in sandy ground to secure potatoes during winter and spring, there were found at different times human skeletons, and nigh them the skeleton of horses. They seemed to have been completely armed, according to the times. Two-handed swords were found diminished with rust; silver work preserved the handles; there were also shields and helmets with a brass spear. Nigh this was discovered another skeleton holding the skeleton of an infant in its arms. It is proposed to dig more of this ground. Some of these curiosities are in the possession of the Duke of Argyle.
‘In Coll near the family seat (a good modern house three stories high with wings etc) is the old habitation, a square built castle with turrets and some lower additions. The main building is still roofed; the whole apartments are distinct. Near the centre of Tiry is a lake with an island in it, whereupon was built a similar castle; the access by a made road and draw-bridge. Upon the ruins of this, in 1748, was erected a house with a garden for the Duke of Argyle’s factor. The island was some time ago made into a peninsula.
‘Near the centre of Tiry is a lake with an island in it, whereupon was built a similar castle [to that on Coll]; the access by a made road and draw-bridge. Upon the ruins of this, in 1748, was erected a house with a garden for the Duke of Argyle’s factor. The island was sometime ago made a peninsula.’
Antiquities
‘There are many signs of Danish invaders having for some time possessed these isles. Among these are Fingalian and other tales repeated by the inhabitants mentioning engagements and the names of chieftains. At this day they point out their burying places, whence the ground derives its name. Nor are their duns, forts or watch-towers less remarkable. There are 39 remains of them in the two islands, generally built on rocks around the whole coast, and within sight of some other. They are said to have been used when an enemy appeared for suddenly alarming the country by the signal of fire. There are two walls without any appearance of lime or cement. The inner is circular and the outer often assumes the figure of the rock on which it is founded …
‘There are 15 remains of old chapels or churches, at some of which are burying grounds and crosses still to be seen. There is at the chapel of Kilkeneth in Tiry, a burying ground so sandy that, by blowing, heaps of human bones are seen and coffins often exposed, before half consumed. It is now surrounded by sand banks higher than the side walls; they no longer bury here. Alongst the coasts, in many parts, are buried the remains of drowned persons cast ashore. At the above hill of Ceanmhara, on a very ragged declivity, is situated St Patrick’s temple. The vestige of a wall incloses it in one third of an acre of land. It is 26 by 11 feet within walls, the side walls 5 2/3 feet high; one gable six inches thicker than the other; without a roof and all built of stone and lime. A square alter in the east end is still 18 inches high. A cross without the pedestal 4 feet. Within 60 yards of it, at the shore on the top of a rock, is made a hollow, 2 feet in diameter and 4 deep, called by the country people St Patrick’s Vat. There are 9 or 10 stones in different parts of the parish, seemingly erected as monuments. British, Danish and other small silver coins, in small earthen vessels, have often been dug out of mosses and sandy ground. Two years ago was discovered a bent tubular piece of gold about 2L value, the two ends not closely joined, and not unlike a sort of earing. In a stackyard at Cornaigbeg in Tiry, in digging pits in sandy ground to secure potatoes during winter and spring, there were found at different times human skeletons, and nigh them the skeleton of horses. They seemed to have been completely armed, according to the times. Two-handed swords were found diminished with rust; silver work preserved the handles; there were also shields and helmets with a brass spear. Nigh this was discovered another skeleton holding the skeleton of an infant in its arms. It is proposed to dig more of this ground. Some of these curiosities are in the possession of the Duke of Argyle.
‘In Coll near the family seat (a good modern house three stories high with wings etc) is the old habitation, a square built castle with turrets and some lower additions. The main building is still roofed; the whole apartments are distinct. Near the centre of Tiry is a lake with an island in it, whereupon was built a similar castle; the access by a made road and draw-bridge. Upon the ruins of this, in 1748, was erected a house with a garden for the Duke of Argyle’s factor. The island was some time ago made into a peninsula.
‘Near the centre of Tiry is a lake with an island in it, whereupon was built a similar castle [to that on Coll]; the access by a made road and draw-bridge. Upon the ruins of this, in 1748, was erected a house with a garden for the Duke of Argyle’s factor. The island was sometime ago made a peninsula.’
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