We had gone down a wonderfully beautiful road that day, through a forest toward the church at the end of the road. It was as though we were far away from civilization and the noise that goes with it. We found the area of Templemichael and Molana Abbey, the ruins, and walked down the lovely road through the trees, ferns, and greeen plants. What a fine place! The river was at the end of the road and one could see the monumental Ballynatray Estate across the river, standing out as though the ruler of the land should be living there.

Templemichael,

What should we think,

When we see your ancient stones?

Was this the past that we so wantingly

Desire to learn something of?

Are you another chapter of this

Time eon called Life that we all

Experience?

You are truly a peaceful place in our lives.

When did monks inhabit your holy places

And carry on their dedicated lives?

What did they do, here on the banks of

The Blackwater River?

Our minds run wild as the river

In our wonder of you!

----B.Townsend, one who has been there.

 

 

 

The road down to Templemichael and Molana Abbey

 

On the shores of the Blackwater are the remains of Molana Abbey a monastery of the order of St Augustine. This site was originally an island called (Dair Inis Isle of Oak Trees) in Irish. This name was changed to Molana from the founder of the monastery in the 6th Century St. Molanafide. Ballanatray House as we see it today was remodelled on the same site as the castellated dwelling of Sir Richard Smythe who settled there in the Elizabethan period and married the first Earl of Corks daughter Mary. These lands (1500 acres) were part of Sir Walter Raleigh's vast estates.

 

 

 

 

A stone wall along the way to Templemichael and Molana Abbey ruins.

 

At the end of this road is the Blackwater River. One can view the Ballynatray House across the river from this point.