Its hard to believe that this site not far from Birr /
Kinnity in Offaly was once on the border between the Province of Meath and
Munster. The nearby River Camcor acts as the boundary between Ely O'Carroll and
Fir Cell.
It was originally a monastery founded by St. Barrind. In
1184 there was a meeting here between the Kings of Meath and Thomond. At this
meeting Art O'Maelsechlainn was treacherously slain by Diarmuid O'Briain during
what were supposed to be peace talks.
When the Normans arrived a Motte and Bailey was built
(possibly by Hugh De Lacy) which again shows its strategic importance of this
boundary between two kingdoms. Unfortunately the Bailey here was bull-dozed in
the 1970s.
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