The wonderful history and secrets of an ancient and sacred valley in Kilkenny

Natural beauty and ancient history are served up in plentiful abundance in the Lingaun Valley.

The River Lingaun rises in the foothills of Sliabh na mBan and meanders its way down through the townlands and villages of Killamery, Knockroe, Tullahought, Ahenny, Kilmacoliver, Faugheen and Kilkieran to enter the River Suir just past Carrick-on-Suir, forming part of the border between Kilkenny and Tipperary.

On a bright and sunny afternoon I met with members of the Lingaun Valley Tourism group at the viewing tower in Tullahought. Here you have a magnificent view of the entire valley, the viewing tower providing ample information on all the heritage sites and the local history.

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From Tullahought we visited the Ahenny High Crosses and Slate Quarries before stopping off at the megalithic passage tomb at Knockroe.

Lingaun Valley Tourism are a dedicated, hardworking and passionate voluntary group who are creating walks, trails and cycling trails to link the sacred sites in this valley in the shadow of Sliabh na mBan. The group works with government bodies to secure funding for projects and organises fundraising events to match the funding.

There is a hunger and passion in the group to share this wonderful part of the world and its rich history with others.

“Kilkenny Leader Partnership were the driving force behind the group,” said chairman of Lingaun Valley Tourism, Frank Walsh. “They held a number of public meetings and it was decided to form a group.

“South Tipperary Development Company also got on board and did a review of the tourism potential in the area,” he added. “That is how the group came about and we have never looked back.”
Two significant reports have been created, one which was funded in part by Kilkenny Leader Partnership and South Tipperary Development Company which explored the potential for the development of a heritage tourism destination along the Lingaun river corridor from Knockroe to Owning in Co Kilkenny.

Group member Richard Walsh explained that grants have been obtained for signage in the area. Now there are information panels at Ahenny, Kilkieran and Killamery High Crosses, Windgap Calvary Grotto, Knockroe Passage Tomb, Delaney’s Pub in The Slate Quarries, the Tullahought Viewing Tower, Faugheen, Carraigmoclear, Grangemockler, Ballyneale, Kilcash and in Carrick-on-Suir Town Hall.

There is a palpable sense of pride and the people who live there voluntarily take on the role as keepers of these rare and ancient places of history and heritage. This pride of place can be seen in all the villages in the valley which are beautifully and carefully maintained. Communities work together to protect this precious place and its ancient and sacred spaces.

The Lingaun Valley is home to some of Ireland’s most important heritage sites including the megalithic double passage tomb at Knockroe where hundreds of people will gather to celebrate the solstice on December 21 at 8.45am and 3.45pm.

Known locally as The Caiseal, Knockroe was identified as the most unique of all the sites. It consists of two burial chambers of 30 decorated stones which were constructed around 3,000BC.

Knockroe is as old, if not older than Newgrange, and is 600 years older than the Giza Pyramids in Egypt and 1,000 years older than Stonehenge, In addition, it is the only passage tomb in the world with both a sunrise and a solar alignment.

Built more than 5,000 years ago by the first farmers, Knockroe Passage Tomb is part of a large collection of interconnected megalithic sites in the area, including the Kilmacoliver Stone Circle on Bawnfree Hill and the cairn on Sliabh na mBan

Other notable sites in the valley include the Killamery High Cross, which was also commissioned by Cerball in the 8th Century, Kilkieran High Crosses, which date back to St Kieran, Kilmacoliver Stone Circle, Carrigadoon Hillfort, Owning Portal Tomb, Lamogue Ogham Stone and the Ahenny High Crosses, which were commissioned in the 8th Century by Cerball mac Dunlaighe, the High King of Ossory at the celebrated site of the early Christian Kilclispeen Monastery.

The Lingaun Valley is also home to the Slate Quarries which was the property of the Earl of Ormonde and whose slate was renowned for its quality. It won a gold medal at a world show in London in the 1880s and was used in the Palace of Westminster in London.

There is a powerful sense of magic at play in this valley which is home to some of our most important national heritage treasures, yet it is still largely undiscovered by many.

In the Lingaun Valley there is a trail of sacred sites, many of which are over 5,000 years ago.
As a result of great signage, a new app and an information pamphlet the area has become much more accessible to tourists, but there is still great future potential in the area which some believe has a Camino like quality as pilgrims can walk from one ancient sacred site to another.

All are welcome to Knockroe for the Winter Solstice from 8.45am and 3.45pm on December 21, but those gathering are asked to arrive at least half an hour early. For more information see lingaunvalley.ie