Lough Ramor, Virginia, County Cavan, Ireland
Lough Ramor (Loch Ramhar) is a large natural lake of around 800 hectares situated near Virginia County Cavan. From early records it has been identified as being in the territory of Cenal Muinreamhair. The literal meaning of the term Muinreamhair appears to be derived from a prehistoric or mythical ancestor warrior, connoting great strength.
Lough Ramor is a partly wooded wetland, a haven for many species of wildlife both resident and migratory. Recorded history indicates that nearly half of the 170 acres (0.69 km2) of Deerpark woodland was once oak woodland, the timber being used for building and agricultural purposes. During the seventeenth century it was reported that early Virginia settlers had to transport their building timber from west Cavan and Fermanagh.
The most recent site study conducted by the Government Department of the Environment describes the Lough Ramor area as a hollow in the Silurian strata that covers most of eastern County Cavan. Lough Ramor is a very shallow lake with a pH of 7.5 and a maximum depth of six metres. Much of the shore has semi-natural woodland of alder, willows and hazel.
Hazel and hawthorn scrub is widespread on relatively dry sites with bramble, false brome, wood sedge, violet bluebell wild hyacinth and primrose. Where such communities occur on a rocky shore crab apple often grows with roses and dog violet. The scrub grades into woodland in several places on the southern shore and here ash and oak occur with holly. The bird community in such sites include treecreeper, long-tailed tit, chiffchaff, willow warbler and locally blackcap, woodpigeon, sparrowhawk, jay, pheasant and woodcock are also found.
The lake supports nationally important numbers of cormorant (averaging around 200) and notable concentrations of Whooper swan, wigeon, Teal, mallard, grey heron and lapwing. Curlew and lapwing also nest in the fringing marshes. The plant communities along the lake margins are of note and combine with over wintering bird numbers to make Lough Ramor an important wetland site.
Lough Ramor is a partly wooded wetland, a haven for many species of wildlife both resident and migratory. Recorded history indicates that nearly half of the 170 acres (0.69 km2) of Deerpark woodland was once oak woodland, the timber being used for building and agricultural purposes. During the seventeenth century it was reported that early Virginia settlers had to transport their building timber from west Cavan and Fermanagh.
The most recent site study conducted by the Government Department of the Environment describes the Lough Ramor area as a hollow in the Silurian strata that covers most of eastern County Cavan. Lough Ramor is a very shallow lake with a pH of 7.5 and a maximum depth of six metres. Much of the shore has semi-natural woodland of alder, willows and hazel.
Hazel and hawthorn scrub is widespread on relatively dry sites with bramble, false brome, wood sedge, violet bluebell wild hyacinth and primrose. Where such communities occur on a rocky shore crab apple often grows with roses and dog violet. The scrub grades into woodland in several places on the southern shore and here ash and oak occur with holly. The bird community in such sites include treecreeper, long-tailed tit, chiffchaff, willow warbler and locally blackcap, woodpigeon, sparrowhawk, jay, pheasant and woodcock are also found.
The lake supports nationally important numbers of cormorant (averaging around 200) and notable concentrations of Whooper swan, wigeon, Teal, mallard, grey heron and lapwing. Curlew and lapwing also nest in the fringing marshes. The plant communities along the lake margins are of note and combine with over wintering bird numbers to make Lough Ramor an important wetland site.
A warlike race of people called Luigni and Gailanga ruled over the Blackwater and Ramor regions, where it may be inferred that St.Patrick sent missionaries into the territory and that Saints Brandubh and Coluin were these early missionaries.
There is evidence of early civilisation in the Lough Ramor region dating back to 2000BC. There once stood a Neolithic dolmen, or burial site, in the townland of Ballaghanea. Other stone markings dating from the period of the Bronze Age have been identified in Munterconnacht.
The island ecclesiastical site, described above, comes into prominence during 845, when the Four Masters describes the territory of the Luigni of Sliabh Guire. They were a warlike tribe introduced from the western seaboard and established during the third century, one of a chain of 'buffer states' to guard the frontiers of the kingdom of Tara. Traces ring forts of many raths, lios and ring forts abound the region. Maelseachlainn, King of Meath led an attack to wipe out a band of marauders who established a stronghold on the island.
The chronicles describe the event:
"The demolition of the island of Loch Ramhar Muinreamhair by Maelseachlainn, son of Maelruanaidh against a crowd of 'sons of death' of the Luigni and Gailenga who were plundering the districts at the instigation of the foreigners (Norsemen) and they were destroyed by him."
A similar mention is entered in the Annals of Ulster given as the year 846. But local tradition tells of the robbers fighting amongst themselves for a share of the spoils from various plundering raids including the island church, may be an echo down through the centuries that fierce battles did however take place upon a hillock known locally as Cnoc Fola, the hill of blood.
There is evidence of early civilisation in the Lough Ramor region dating back to 2000BC. There once stood a Neolithic dolmen, or burial site, in the townland of Ballaghanea. Other stone markings dating from the period of the Bronze Age have been identified in Munterconnacht.
The island ecclesiastical site, described above, comes into prominence during 845, when the Four Masters describes the territory of the Luigni of Sliabh Guire. They were a warlike tribe introduced from the western seaboard and established during the third century, one of a chain of 'buffer states' to guard the frontiers of the kingdom of Tara. Traces ring forts of many raths, lios and ring forts abound the region. Maelseachlainn, King of Meath led an attack to wipe out a band of marauders who established a stronghold on the island.
The chronicles describe the event:
"The demolition of the island of Loch Ramhar Muinreamhair by Maelseachlainn, son of Maelruanaidh against a crowd of 'sons of death' of the Luigni and Gailenga who were plundering the districts at the instigation of the foreigners (Norsemen) and they were destroyed by him."
A similar mention is entered in the Annals of Ulster given as the year 846. But local tradition tells of the robbers fighting amongst themselves for a share of the spoils from various plundering raids including the island church, may be an echo down through the centuries that fierce battles did however take place upon a hillock known locally as Cnoc Fola, the hill of blood.