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School: Milverton (roll number 15569)

Location:
Milverton, Co. Dublin
Teacher:
Joseph Byrne
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0784, Page 156

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0784, Page 156

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  1. Ho or Howe Stone, Balcunnin (continued)

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    (continued from previous page)
    There is a very large stone called the "Ho or Howe Stone" in a field near Balcunnin cross roads. One going along the main road from Lusk to Skerries can view the "Ho stone" in the field on the right hand side of the road. It is only a distance of twenty yards from the Balcunnin Cross Roads. It is about five feet in height and must weigh about 3 or 4 tons in weight. There is a smaller stone near it but whether this was broken from the original stone would be difficult to state. The "Ho stone" resembles Cromlech stones which are to be seen in many parts of Ireland but there is no visible inscription on it. Some say that it was part of Baldungan Castle that was destroyed in the rebellion of war but this would belie the suggestion that castle was destroyed by Cromwell from the sea and it is situated on the same road as Cromwell's Bush. If Cromwell destroyed Baldungan Castle from Loughshinny by cannon fire it is very unlikely that a mass of stone weighing some tons could be blown for such a distance as it lies almost a half mile from the site of the castle. Local tradition states that it covers the entrance to a cave or a passage which leads to Baldungan Castle but no effort has ever been made to prove this assertion. The defenders of the Castle are supposed to have retreated into this passage with their valuables and when the Castle was levelled the passage is supposed to have caved in on them. There seems to be no entrance from Baldungan Castle at present to this supposed passage but the entrance may have been choked by falling debris which still remains concealing the entrance.
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    History Edit
    Language
    English
    Location
    Balcunnin, Co. Dublin
    Collector
    Mr Byrne
    Gender
    Male
    Occupation
    Múinteoir
    Informant
    Mr Caffrey
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Balcunnin, Co. Dublin