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As one travels westwards along the N71,
the first glimpse one gets of Rosscarbery is impressive; the causeway,
the calm inlet with the Parish Church at its apex and the Convent of
Mercy dominating the hillside, and to the left of these the spire of
the Church of Ireland (Anglican) Cathedral rising above the town which
nestles in its little valley.
Rosscarbery has a proud history.
In the 6th century St. Fachtna founded a monastery here that became so
famous as a centre of religion and learning that the area became known
as Ross Ailithir (meaning Ross of the Pilgrims). The Danes put
an end to that era in the latter part of the 10th century.
In the 12th century, the Benedictines
had a monastery here which flourished until the Cromwellian era. |
