The Cannon Castle Ruins are said by the Chronicon Scotorum to be The
Fortress of the O'Cannons, found atop Glen Doon Hill about two miles west
of Letterkenny. This Ancient hill fort was at Conwal Dun, This Dun or
Fortification is located about three miles west of Letterkenny, on the
southern slope of Castle hill, just east of Glen Doon Hill, in a very
impregnable position commanding land and sea.
This Ancient structure stands at an altitude of about 600 feet above sea
level, in difficult territory,none to easy of access. The Dun (Castle)
consists of a circular structure, about 60 feet in diameter, he Walls are
about six feet in height.Only mere traces of former cathair, or hostel for
retainers, still remain, From this position there is a magnificent and
extensive view.The Dunn is observed two striking phenomenon. The Dun which
is dug out in the centre of the enclosure shows some evidence of a moat
along the northern wall, thus indicating that it was used for military
purposes. Maquire says the O'Canannan Kings lived and feasted in their
Royal palace. Another phenomenon is the existence of a stone Doleman, about
twenty-five meters north of the Dun, the horizontal or table stone has been
knocked down. It may indicate a Grave Marker for one of the Cannon Kings.
Cloch Na RI: This is the Gaelic name for the Stone of the Kings so called
because it is the inaugural stone of the O'Cannons. IT has been described
as a "Gallan or pillar stone" "standing Stone" and a very
conspicuous
monolith. It is situated about one mile west of the O'Cannon Dun on the
southern crest of Glen Doon Hill, about 1,000. feet above sea level. The
stone offers a spectacular view of the River Swilly Valley.
O'Ceallaigh says that the stone performed a duel function. In Midevil
times it was a land mark which during daylight, It directed travellers to
the ford at Scarvehollis where the River Swilly could be safely crossed. In
addition the stone performed the same function as the Rock of Doon
performed for the O'Donnell's, it was the focal point of the Coronation
ceremony for the O'Cannon Kings. the stone itself is about 15 feet high and
about 60 feet wide. While it may have originally been a monolith, it now
appears to be broken into several large masses. several pieces make for
excellent standing stones and one unusual piece forms a chair or a throne
where the O'Cannon Chief sat during the ceremony of inauguration. The stone
overlooks a large flat plain where the clansmen of Cenel Conaill assembled
to watch the coronation ceremony.
The bishops and Chiefs would gather at the inaugural site with the
other people of the Clan. "Joyce" says there was a stone chair, on which
the King sat during part of the ceremony. The hereditary historian of the
tribe read for the elected King the Laws that were to govern his conduct as
King. After the reading of the laws the King stood and swore to faithfully
observe the laws of the tribe. To receive the sovereignty of his country,
and to preserve equal and impartial justice between all portions of his
dominions.The Tribal (Fili=Poet) would then hand the King a white wand
which formally conferred the office of Kingship. The wand symbolized that
the integrity of the Kings conduct and judicial decisions should be beyond
reproach. Having put aside his sword and other weapons, the King then took
the wand in hand and turned around three times in a clockwise direction,
and the three times in a counter clockwise direction to symbolize his
sovereignty over all of his dominion. After this each Chief, one by one,
would call out the Surname of the King to the members of the tribe to
symbolize their allegiance. Thereafter the King would be known only by his
Surname as "The O'Cannon", Chief of the name and King of Tir Chonaill.
Conwal Church and Cemetery. About two miles west of Letterkenny is the
site of a medieval church that was erected in the twelfth century on the
site of an ancient monastery. Killinan and Duignan described it as "a very
ruinous medieval parish church." A wall about four feet high (except for
the southern wall which reaches a height of about fifteen feet), measuring
approximately thirty feet in width and one hundred feet in length, is all
that remains of this church. Dr. Maguire says "[i]t is also evident from
the history of the times that the endowments in the beginning were the gift
of the O'Canannans..."
Russel says that the O'Cannons gave land in Tullgay and Bominy townlands to
the church as endowments. The adjacent cemetery probably contains the
graves of the O'Cannons although it is best noted as the grave site of
Gofraid O'Donnell who helped the English defeat the O'Cannons in 1250.
Glenkeeragh Dun. About five miles west of Letterkenny, in the townland
of Newtown Glenkeeragh, is a fort or rath that Swan says tradition tells us
"was at one time a stronghold of the O'Cannain Clan," After noting that it
is "none too accessible," he goes on to describe it as: a large earthen
fort, in rather poor condition...This fort or rath is 39 yards in diameter
and is surrounded by double rampart banks, between which there was a
dyke(still extant). The double-rampart banks make this antiquity "somewhat
rare" in his words.
Ballykelly Point. About 12 miles north east of Letterkenny, near the Ray
bridge between Ramelton and Rathmullan, is Ballykelly Point. This site is
reputed to be the tuaim or burial place of the ancestors of the O'Cannons.
It consists of a mound, about three feet high and fifteen feet in diameter,
with several graduations. It is located in a clump of trees thereby
obscuring it from view.
Cistercian Abbey of St. Mary at Assaroe. The annotations to Geraghty's
edition of the Annals of the Four Masters and Grace's edition of the Annals
of Ireland state that this celebrated abbey was founded by Rory O'Cannon in
1178. The abbey was a daughter abbey of the Cistercian Abbey of Boyle in
Roscommon. It was of the Mellifont filiation. In speaking of the abbey, one
source notes: It was amply endowed by the liberality of the
O'Canannains...and here many of their chieftains are buried.
Another residence of the kings of Tir Connell was at Assaroe. High King
Rory O'Cannon was inaugurated at Munine Broccain and was called high King
of Erin and Tara. He live for about six months after this until the
celebration of St. Andrews on November 30th the Irish Army under the
command of High King Rory O'Cannon, won a resounding victory at Muine
Broccain against the Vikings. The Annuals report that the foreigners were
defeated and slaughtered, for there fell six thousand Mighty Men, besides
boys, and Calones.Unfortunately this victory was dearly purchased, for the
Irish lost the flower of their army that day, Amongst whom was High King
Roderic O'Canannan, Who towards the close of the battle, was killed in the
thick of the fight.
I hope this can help you locate the sites. I have a map called the
Discovery series 2nd edition that shows some of the locations there are
more maps like this one to make up the whole county of Done gal this is
number 6, number 2, number 1, and number 6, and possibly number 7 would be
helpful in locating some of these places. e Quest ! and let me know if you
or someone can get pictures of these places and there surrounding views.
--- Donald Cannon
--- cannonfh1(a)earthlink.net
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