“Did anyone bring their hiking boots?” a voice joked from the back of the group. We’re not scaling any mountains today, but we are standing before Cnocan Ruad, which translates to “hill of the high water.” Now, I know what you’re thinking – it doesn’t look much like a hill now, does it? Cnocan Ruad is actually a fascinating reminder of Dublin’s distant past, a remnant of a time before the city sprawled around it. Imagine a powerful chieftain, surveying his domain from this very spot– that’s the image Cnocan Ruad evokes. It was once a formidable hillfort, a symbol of power and protection. Excavations in the 18th century unearthed evidence of a souterrain within the enclosure, a hidden passage that likely served as a secret escape route or storage area. Some of the artifacts discovered during those excavations are now housed in the National Museum of Ireland. As we stand here, try to picture Cnocan Ruad in its prime, a stronghold overlooking the lush landscape, a silent guardian against potential threats. It’s a testament to Dublin’s layered history, reminding us that even beneath the bustling city streets lie echoes of a much earlier time.
Saint John the Evangelist
Whispers of history echo from these stones. This is the site of Saint John the Evangelist. Once a vibrant church