Knockmore (from Irish Cnoc Mór 'big hill') is an upland area and townland situated outside the village of Derrygonnelly in South West Fermanagh, in the historical barony of Magheraboy. This area, together with most of the adjacent Boho parish is described as the Knockmore Scarplands.[1] The focal point of the area is Knockmore summit at 277 metres (909 ft).
The area is considered to be important in environmental terms because it contains several areas of special scientific interest (ASSI), namely the West Fermanagh Scarplands ASSI and West Fermanagh Scarplands Special Area of Conservation (SAC).[1] It also contains a number of sites of archaeological significance, which have been investigated since the late 19th century.[2]
Geology
The Knockmore area is known for its dramatic cliffs and rugged terrain. The native rock has the honour of being named Knockmore Limestone;[1] a number of caves and cave systems have developed within this band of rock.[3]
Flora and fauna
The flora and fauna in this area are largely as a result of the underlying limestone and sandstone geology, consisting of upland heath mixed with calcareous grassland.[1] The area is especially noted for the appearance of Irish eyebright ([Euphrasia salisburgensis] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)), which is considered a priority species in Northern Ireland.[4]
History
There is a mention in old tales of a castle belonging to the Flannagan Clan which was located on Knockmore.[5]
Cave archaeology
The summit of Knockmore contains at least 15 small caves which have been the subject of archeological visits since the late 19th century.[2] The most significant of these is Lettered Cave (or Inscribed Cave), situated 50 m from Knockmore summit, which is partially man-made.[7] The cave is named for the art and writing of varying age inscribed on the walls, ranging from early celtic and Christian designs to simple marking of names and dates. It was investigated by William Wakeman (1866–70)[8][9][10] and Thomas Plunkett (1870, 1878 and 1898)[2][11] and is now a scheduled ancient monument.[12]
Among the other caves studied on Knockmore is Gillie's Hole, located part-way up the southern cliff face of the summit.[8] Named for its 18th-century occupants, reportedly a young couple ostracised by their families, the cave was discovered by Wakeman (1870) to contain further inscriptions of ancient celtic origin.[8]
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c d "The Knockmore Scarpland Landscape". Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
- ^ a b c Plunkett, Thomas (1879). "Report of the committee appointed to Explore the Fermanagh Caves". Report of the 48th Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Dublin, 1878. London: Murray, John: 183–185. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ^ "Knockmore–Pollaraftra; Lettered Cave – Summary". Earth Science Conservation Review. National Museums Northern Ireland. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
- ^ "Irish Eyebright". National Museums Northern Ireland , NIEA. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
- ^ Boho Heritage Organisation (2009). Boho Heritage: A treasure trove of history and lore. Mallusk, Northern Ireland: Nicholson & Bass Ltd. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-9560607-0-9.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|editors=ignored (|editor=suggested) (help) - ^ Wakeman, W. F. (1870). "On the cavern called 'Gillie's Hole' at Knockmore, Co. Fermanagh". Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. X. Dublin: Gill, M. H.: 395–397. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ^ Wakeman, W. F. (1870). "On the cave of Knockmore, Co. Fermanagh". Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. X. Dublin: Gill, M. H.: 229–232. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
wakeman-1870was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Wakeman, William F. (1891). Hand-Book of Irish Antiquities, Pagan and Christian; especially of such as are of easy access from the Irish Metropolis (2nd ed.). Dublin: Hodges, Figgis and Co.
{{cite book}}: Text "35–39" ignored (help); Text "pages" ignored (help) - ^ Burns, G. et al (ed.) (1997), p.22
- ^ Burns, G. et al (ed.) (1997), p.16
- ^ "Knockmore–Pollaraftra; Lettered Cave – Summary". Earth Science Conservation Review. National Museums Northern Ireland. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
References
- Jones, Gareth Ll.; Burns, Gaby; Fogg, Tim; Kelly, John (1997). The Caves of Fermanagh and Cavan (2nd Ed.). Lough Nilly Press. ISBN 0-9531602-0-3.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
Further reading
- Wakeman, W. F. (1870). Lough Erne, Enniskillen, Belleek, Ballyshannon, and Bundoran: with Routes from Dublin to Enniskillen and Bundoran, by Rail or Steamboat. Dublin: John Mullany. pp. 117–120.
- Plunkett, Thomas (1879). "Report of the committee appointed to Explore the Fermanagh Caves". Report of the 48th Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Dublin, 1878. London: Murray, John: 183–185. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
54°24′07″N 7°51′50″W / 54.402°N 7.864°W
 | This article related to the geography of County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |