William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, on the occasion of his first visit to Ireland as Lord of Leinster in 1200, encountered rough seas while crossing from Wales. William, Strongbow’s successor, vowed that if spared he would establish a monastery wherever he reached dry land.
Marshal’s ship evidently reached safe harbour at Bannow Bay and here, at the head of the small inlet, was established Tintern Minor or Tintern de Voto (of the vow) colonized by Cistercian monks from Tintern Major in Wales. Marshal granted 39 carucates of land (c. 9000 statute acres) in 1200 and a charter to the abbey can be dated from 1207-13.
Malachy, Archbishop of Armagh, had persuaded the first Cistercians to come to Ireland and Mellifont Abbey was founded in 1142 by monks trained by St Bernard at Clairvaux, a daughter house of Citeaux. The old monastic traditions as expressed at Monasterboice and Clonmacnoise were gradually replaced by new strict rule bound foundations. By the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1169-70 there were already fifteen Cistercian Abbeys established, all daughter houses of Mellifont.
The original layout of the garden has been reinstated as it was in 1838 and Colclough Walled Garden re-opened ta the public on May 18th 2012.
Next adventure is The JFK Arboretum which was dedicated to the memory of John F. Kennedy, whose great-grandfather, Patrick, was born in the nearby village of Dunganstown, this arboretum near New Ross, County Wexford, contains a plant collection of presidential proportions.
It covers a massive 252 hectares on the summit and southern slopes of Slieve Coillte and contains 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions of the world. There are 200 forest plots grouped by continent. Of special note is an ericaceous garden with 500 different rhododendrons and many varieties of azalea and heather, dwarf conifers and climbing plants.
A very important tribute room that included photos and words from our 35th President to remind us that democracy is not easy and we must fight for it. We have the power!!!
As president, JFK navigated Cold War tensions, established the Peace Corps, advanced the Apollo space program, supported civil rights, and signed the first nuclear weapons treaty. Inspired patriotism among Americans.
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of all man.
Never before has man had such capacity to control his own environment, to end thirst and hunger, to conquer poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and massive human misery. We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history of the world or to make it the last.”
President John F. Kennedy, General Assembly of the United Nations
A truly beautiful & peaceful trek through an amazing variety of trees and plants. On the way out the nice gent told us to take a drive to the lookout point just up the road.
We have to mention Michael & Sailor arrived late last night.
Later tonight Norma & Hunter arrived. Tomorrow we have a trip to the Saltees in this wee ferry…
