Earth:Kelly's Cave
| Kelly's Cave | |
|---|---|
| Uaimh Uí Cheallaigh | |
  | |
| Location | Nymphsfield, Cong, County Mayo |
| OSI/OSNI grid | M 152 557 |
| Coordinates | [ ⚑ ] : 53°32′40″N 9°16′45″W / 53.544443°N 9.279192°W |
| Length | 16 m (52 ft) |
| Discovery | prehistoric |
| Geology | Carboniferous Limestone |
| Entrances | 1 |
Kelly's Cave is a limestone solutional cave and National Monument in County Mayo, Ireland.
Location
Kelly's Cave lies in woodland 500 m (1,600 ft) northeast of Cong.
History
English antiquarian Wilfrid James Hemp suggested the cave may have had prehistoric use, comparing it to ancient caves in Sardinia.[1]
It has been suggested that the cave may have been extended and modified in the middle ages for use as a hermitage related to Cong Abbey.[2]
This cave is supposed to have taken its name from a fugitive named Kelly who took refuge there following the 1798 Rebellion.[citation needed]
Another local tradition claims that Kelly was a man who, along with his family, was forced to live there during the Penal era (17th–18th century). Kelly became a highwayman to survive.[citation needed]
Description
The cave is about 16 m (52 ft) long and consists of two rectangular chambers and a hole in the roof which acts as a skylight. Four steps lead down to an underground stream, and benches have been carved into the walls.[3][4]
References
- ↑ "Geology". http://www.mayolibrary.ie/en/LocalStudies/IrishTouristAssociationSurvey/CongandTheNeale/Geology/PDFDocument,16120,en.pdf. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
- ↑ Dowd, Marion (31 January 2015). The Archaeology of Caves in Ireland. Oxbow Books. ISBN 9781782978138. https://books.google.com/books?id=wmlhCgAAQBAJ&q=%22kelly%27s+cave%22&pg=PA237.
- ↑ "Kelly's Cave". http://www.lakedistrictheritage.ie/Cong/caves/kellys.html. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
- ↑ Wilde, William R. (1 January 1872). Lough Corrib, Its Shores and Islands: with Notices of Lough Mask. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781291406757. https://books.google.com/books?id=NflUBQAAQBAJ&q=%22kelly%27s+cave%22&pg=PA125.
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