The Irish Trip

In county Galway, four miles to the northwest of Aughrim, lie the remains of Kilconnell Friary, a Franciscan foundation built near the site of of the sixth-century church of St. Connell, which gives the place its name. The friary held out successfully against Cromwellian attack in 1651. The ruins are extensive, with additions to the early fourteenth-century building showing that there was increased monastic activity in the later Middle Ages. There's an arcaded cloister, and in the north wall of the nave are two canopied wall tombs.

The dog appeared as if from nowhere and showed us around the site before disappearing just as mysteriously.

Thanks to a helpful e-mail from Honoria Mitchell, the mysterious dog can now identified as Roger. He lives directly across the road in the green house/bar at the entrance to the Abbey with two boys aged 6 and 3.

L. L. Cole
Michael and Roger — August 26, 1999
L. L. Cole L. L. Cole
Left: A beach near Clifden, Connemara, County Galway. Right: A mountain near Drummin, Co. Mayo — August 28, 1999

home