Kelly's Cave
Kelly's Cave is a limestone solutional cave and National Monument in County Mayo, Ireland.
Kelly's Cave | |
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Uaimh Uí Cheallaigh | |
Location | Nymphsfield, Cong, County Mayo |
OSI/OSNI grid | M 152 557 |
Coordinates | 53.544443°N 9.279192°W |
Length | 16 m (52 ft) |
Discovery | prehistoric |
Geology | Carboniferous Limestone |
Entrances | 1 |
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.
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.
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" (PDF). Mayolibrary.ie. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
- Dowd, Marion (31 January 2015). The Archaeology of Caves in Ireland. Oxbow Books. ISBN 9781782978138 – via Google Books.
- "Kelly's Cave". Lakedistrictheritage.ie. 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 – via Google Books.