The Buried City Of Bannow Traditional Cache
The Buried City Of Bannow
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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A tranquil place steeped in history.
The first landing site of the Normans in 1169 was at the Island of
Bannow and they founded a town here. In the earliest charter of New
Ross, the burgesses were granted “as extensive privileges as were
enjoyed by the men of Bannow, Kilkenny or any other town in
Leinster .” The Town of Bannow continued to send two
representatives to the Irish Parliament until the Act of Union in
1801. It appears to have been a prosperous thriving town, yet only
the ruins of a church remain today. The legend claims that the
shifting sands of the estuary covered the town. The undulating
ground to the front of the church is believed by some to be the
result of this burial. The exact location of the town, however, is
a matter of debate and surmise.
Today, the church consists of a nave and chancel surmounted by
embattled parapets and a small chapel attached to the north wall.
The east window of the chancel still retains some fragments of
flowing tracery. A mediaeval baptismal font originally belonging to
this church can be viewed at the church in Carrig-on-Bannow. The
stone tomb of a Norman Lord can be found on the right of the
opening to the chancel. On the north side of Bannow Church , a
large burial vault was erected in 1986 as a memorial to the family
of Prince Michael Neill of the Saltees.
As you leave the church, note the headland surmounted by a Martello
Tower across the Bay to your left. This is Baginbun Head, the chief
landing place of the Normans in 1170 and from where they began
their main conquest of Ireland.
While you are here it is worth driving the short distance on to
Bannow Island and having a look across the bay from the beach.
Source -
New Ross
Town Council
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
haqre ybj ebpxf