OS1/13/85/43
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE COVES | The Coves The Coves |
George Fortune Farmer Barnsmuir Alexander Bell Esqr Crail |
020 | [situation] About 30 Chains S.E. [Southeast] from Kilrenny Church. Two caves to the S. [South] East of Barnsmuir farm house, and on the sea shore; it is supposed by tradition that they were the dens of wild beasts, from the circumstance of the bones of wolves, and other wild animals being found there some years ago; likewise the bones of human beings supposed to have been the prey of wild beasts. It is supposed to have been the residence of Hermits, or Monks, from the introduction of Christianity, till the Reformation; in the largest cave the place where the altar and font stood, is quite visible at the present time, there is likewise a cross near the altar supposed to be of very old date: (cut in the rock.) After the Reformation it is supposed to have afforded shelter to Brigands, or Smugglers; there are places hewn out in the cave supposed to be made so as one man might defend himself against a multitude (as all places of Brigands or Smugglers are.) Close to the caves there is an opening in a rock, supposed to be the entrance to a subterranean passage, leading to the House of Barns; there is a tradition stating that a piper went into this natural passage, and was heard playing under the hearth stone of the House of Barns. |
Continued entries/extra info
45 Parish of Kilrenny Plan 20C Trace 5[Note] "Cove" - A Cave. (Jamieson's Scott: Dict. [Scottish Dictionary])
[Quotation] There are some remarkable caves or coves as they are sometimes called situated in the eastern part of the parish and close by the shore. They are considerably above high water-mark but the rocks in their outward form, have every appearance of having been at one time under the action of water while within the caves there are still further indications of such having been the case by the rocks having been drilled in many places by the pholas. They stand at present several feet above high water mark and rise to the height of 30 or 40 feet. There are likewise to be seen in the interior of the caves artificial cuttings and chiselled crosses which indicate that at some period they had been used as the abode of men. Some human bones were lately found when removing a fraction of the earth from the interior of the caves and a friend on hearing of this circumstance has suggested the idea that they must have been the resort of the leper or the hermit or the persecuted in evil times" New Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account] [Page 971]
[signed] P.McHugh Pte. RS&M [Private, Royal Sappers and Miners]
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