100 enjoy walk from historic Tintern to ancient Clonmines
On a beautiful, sunny November Sunday a group of almost 100 people set out to walk from Tintern Abbey to the medieval site at Clonmines, dubbed the Clonmines Camino.
The walk was organised by the Tintern Trails Development Committee to raise funds for the maintenance of the Tintern walking trails.
Before setting out from Tintern Abbey the walkers were given a brief introduction by local historian Liam Ryan to the events that led to the foundation of the Abbey and its historic links with Clonmines. Tintern Abbey came into being arising from a vow made by William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, in 1200. While on his way to Ireland William was caught in a severe storm on the Irish Sea and he promised that, if he survived, he would establish a new abbey.
He made good on this promise by granting a large tract of land for an abbey and inviting members of the Cistercian Order from Tintern Abbey in Monmouthshire, Wales, to set up what became known Tintern de Voto (Tintern of the promise). The Cistercian Order remained in Tintern until 1536.
Liam invited the walkers to reflect on Tintern’s medieval history, in particular on the daily life and work of the monks when Tintern was a fortified monastery. Liam said: ‘Let us cast away the empty abbey that we know today and imagine it occupied with monks dressed in white, living a life of prayer and humility. We see them tending to the fish pond near the bridge; working the vegetable garden and tending to their flock of sheep’.
While these images suggest a tranquil and peaceful existence, the reality was rather different because as Liam pointed out. ‘In those medieval times, warring clans would have roamed County Wexford robbing and pillaging, so monasteries just like Tintern were at risk of attack’. Liam said conflicts and disputes didn’t necessarily come from the outside, there were plenty within the Cistercian Order, in particular between the Abbots of Tintern and Dunbrody Abbeys. These events, recorded in the Chronicles of Tintern, show another less humble, peaceful or prayerful side to Cistercian life.
Leaving Tintern the walkers followed in the footsteps of monks from Tintern and retraced the routes they would have used when going between their abbey and that of the Augustinians in Clonmines. Half way to Clonmines walkers were given another glimpse into the rich history of the area.
Local historian Billy Downes explained the historical significance of a church that was located at Tallaught. This church was known as Midway because of its location half way between Tintern and Clonmines. Nothing remains of the church or of Tallaught House built on the same site. As Billy explained: ‘ The remains of the old church made way for the big house and the big house no longer exists so time changes everything.’
After the brief stop at Tallaught walkers continued to Clonmines, a site described by many as one of the most important and impressive Irish examples of a deserted medieval town. They were welcomed there by representatives of the Codd family on whose land the various ruins are located. The family have lived on the site since 1849.
The significance of Clonmines as an important trading location dates back to the Viking era when Bannow Bay facilitated access to the Viking strongholds in Wexford and Waterford. With the arrival of the Normans, Clonmines grew in importance as a commercial and religious centre. Scoil Mhaodhóig Poulfur Domini Codd and members of the Codd family gave walkers a brief history of the overall site explaining that ‘within a radius of a few hundred yards there are the remains of three churches and four castles’.
She focussed, in particular, on the remains of the Black Castle, the Augustinian Abbey, the Church of St. Nicholas and the Cow Boy’s Church. Domini noted some of the recent storm damage and stressed the importance of working to ensure that the unique build heritage on the Clonmines site is preserved. In this context she thanked Wexford County Council and the Heritage Council for the support they have provided for vital conservation work. A Tintern Trails Development committee spokesperson said: ‘We are very grateful to everyone who took part and contributed to the Trails fund. Particular thanks goes to the local historians and the Codd family for their support and generosity. For updates on Tintern Trail events please keep an eye on the Facebook page and your local newspaper.’