Overview
Killeen Cormac (Irish: Cell Fine Chormaic) sits on a low, north‑south‑oriented esker on the Kildare side of the River Greese, a tributary of the Barrow that marks the Kildare‑Wicklow border. The site is enclosed by a mortared stone wall erected in the late 19th century, surrounding a terraced mound that once served as a pagan burial ground before being re‑dedicated to Christianity. Today the quiet graveyard is a living museum of early Irish inscription, legend and landscape, offering a rare glimpse into the transition from pre‑Christian ritual to early monastic practice.
History
Early use
Archaeological evidence shows that the mound was originally a pagan burial ground. The enclosure contains three terraces edged with large slabs that resemble the kerb stones of megalithic tombs, although early excavations (Macalister & Praeger 1929) disproved a purely prehistoric function. By the 5th–6th centuries AD the site had acquired a Christian identity, as suggested by the presence of Ogham stones dated to that period and by the name Cell Fine recorded in the 13th‑century register Crede Mihi (c. 1280).
Medieval references
In the 13th century the site appears in the register of the Archbishops of Dublin as Capella de Gris, indicating a chapel that belonged to the nearby Timolin nunnery. Archbishop Alen’s 1530 description confirms the chapel’s existence, but the Dissolution of the Monasteries likely led to its abandonment – the site disappears from the Down Survey (c. 1654‑56) and from William Petty’s 1683 map.
19th‑century revival
The stone wall that now defines the perimeter was rebuilt at the end of the 1800s, replacing an earlier dry‑stone barrier (Fitzgerald 1895). The site escaped the first Ordnance Survey of 1837 and only entered scholarly awareness through Father Shearman’s 1866 article in the Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. Subsequent investigators such as Lord Walter Fitzgerald, R.A.S. Macalister (excavation 1929) and later scholars have focused on the Ogham stones and the possibility of an early church, the latter hinted at by a small granite gable finial recovered during the 1929 dig.
Modern research
The most striking scholarly find is the collection of seven Ogham stones, one of which is a bilingual Ogham‑Latin monument now displayed in the National Museum of Ireland – the only example of its kind in the country. The Ogham in 3D project has digitised all seven stones, making high‑resolution models available online. A 2013 geophysical survey revealed traces of a larger, trivallate enclosure, suggesting that the present burial ground is the nucleus of a once‑more extensive early Christian complex.
Legend
Local folklore ties the site to Cormac Mac Airt, a legendary High King of Munster. According to the tale, Cormac’s body was hauled on a bull‑drawn carriage to the cemetery; the bullocks, exhausted at the ‘Doon’ of Ballynure, struck water from the ground – a spring that still flows beside the road opposite Donoghue’s. The animals then continued to Bullock Hill, where they refused to go further, signalling the final resting place. A hound’s paw imprint on a pillar stone is said to mark the exact spot of burial.
What to See & Do
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Terraced mound | Three concentric terraces edged with large stone slabs, offering gentle walks and views over the River Greese. |
| Stone wall | Late‑19th‑century mortared wall that encloses the site, replacing an earlier dry‑stone barrier. |
| Ogham stones | Seven standing stones, five with pure Ogham, one bilingual (Ogham + Latin) now in the National Museum, and one broken stone reused in the wall. The stones are among the most concentrated collections in Ireland. |
| Pillar stones | Several upright stones around the tumulus, one bearing an incised bust of the Redeemer, others with Ogham inscriptions reminiscent of Boyne tumuli. |
| Legendary “Druid” stone | An upright marker traditionally linked to a druidic burial; its exact provenance is debated, but it adds a palpable sense of mythic depth. |
| Natural setting | The site sits between two eskers – ‘Bullock Hill’ on the Greese side and ‘Crocbunnion’ on the Kildare side – with the River Greese flowing nearby, creating a tranquil, semi‑wild atmosphere. |
Visitors can trace the Ogham inscriptions with a handheld guide or, for the tech‑savvy, explore the 3‑D models on the Ogham in 3D website (Stone IV, Stone V). The bilingual stone, while now housed in Dublin, is referenced on‑site with an interpretive plaque that explains its significance.
Getting There
By car – The site lies a short distance off the R448, between Timolin and Ballynure. From Dublin, take the M9 to the Timolin exit (junction 9) and follow local signage to the lay‑by opposite the former Donoghue’s shop. The lay‑by provides limited parking for cars and camper‑vans; there is no formal car‑park, so early arrival in busy periods is advisable.
Public transport – The nearest bus stop is in Timolin (Bus Éireann route 120). From there, a local taxi or a short walk (approximately 1 km) leads to the enclosure. Check the latest bus timetables before travelling.
Practical Information
- Opening hours: The enclosure is open year‑round, 24 hours a day. There is no ticket office; access is unrestricted.
- Admission fee: Free entry.
- Parking: A small lay‑by near the entrance provides limited space for cars and camper‑vans; there is no formal car‑park.
- Accessibility: The stone‑walled enclosure is on uneven ground with some steep steps to the terraces. While the main path is navigable for most able‑bodied visitors, the site is not wheelchair‑friendly.
- Nearby attractions: The River Greese offers pleasant riverside walks, and the nearby town of Timolin provides a modest selection of pubs and B&Bs. For a longer day, combine a visit with Glendalough (≈30 km north) or explore other Kildare highlights such as:
For further reading and up‑to‑date research, see the Kildare Libraries article on Killeen Cormac: Kildare Libraries – Killeen Cormac.