Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
But the
Battle of Kinsale
(1601) ended the revolt. The exhausted Irish, who had
marched the length of Ireland in winter, arrived to help Spanish troops, who were pinned
down inside the town. Though the Irish were skilled at guerrilla warfare on their own
turf, they were no match for the English on open and unfamiliar ground, and were quickly
crushed before they could join the Spanish. The Spanish soon surrendered, and O'Neill
knelt before the conquering general, ceding half a million acres to England. Then he and
otherproud,Gaelic,Ulster-basednoblesunexpectedly abandonedtheirremaininglandand
sailed to the Continent (the Flight of the Earls, 1607). They searched for further support on
the Continent, but died before they could enlist additional armies to bring back to Ireland.
Their flight signaled the end of Gaelic Irish rule.
Typical Church Architecture
History comes to life when you visit a centuries-old church. Even if you wouldn't
know your apse from a hole in the ground, learning a few simple terms will enrich
your experience. Note that not every church has every feature, and a “cathedral”
isn't a type ofchurch architecture, but rather a designation fora church that'sa gov-
erning center for a local bishop.
The oldest stone churches that survive in Ireland were designed and built by re-
ligious orders (Cistercians, Benedictines, Franciscans, and Dominicans) that came
to Ireland from the Continent in the mid-1100s, and were supported by the Norman
invaders who soon followed.
Aisles:
The long, generally low-ceilinged arcades that flank the nave.
Altar:
The raised area with a ceremonial table (often adorned with candles or a cru-
cifix), where the priest prepares and serves the bread and wine for Communion.
Apse:
The space beyond the altar, often bordered with small chapels.
Barrel Vault:
A continuous round-arched ceiling that resembles an extended
upside-down U.
Choir:
A cozy area, often screened off, located within the church nave and near the
high altar where services are sung in a more intimate setting.
Cloister:
Covered hallways bordering a (usually square-shaped) open-air court-
yard, traditionally where monks and nuns got fresh air.
