Glenasmole Roads

GLENASMOLE ROADSGlassamuckyOn the high ground above the village of Glassamucky there is anancient burial site. In 1953 James Brindley, Professor of Geology,University College Dublin noticed the existence of prehistoric siteswhile engaged in a geological survey. Later that year they weredescribed by him to the Archaeological Society of the Universityduring a visit to the area. All that was then visible were two smalllow burial mounds on a flat area south of the summit. This isactually in Piperstown, in the part of that townland that comesdown in a point above St. Santan’s church and is 75 yards from thetownland boundary. It consists of two mounds, the larger of whichis 20 feet in diameter and 2 feet high. It is enclosed by a kerb ofstones, of which about six are visible and is overgrown withheather. A smaller mound, 9 feet in diameter and 1 foot high lies60 feet to the south. Here also, six or seven kerb stones are inposition. A short distance away, to the north, are two smallermounds, but those are very slight and may not be artificial.Between Glassamucky and Piperstown village is a high summitwhich commands a magnificent view to the north, west, andsouth. This hill was named on Rocque’s map of 1760 “TheBishop’s Hills” but it is known locally as “Spinkeen”, a namewhich signifies a view point.Ann MountAbout half a mile further down the glen the road passes on theright the old girls’ schoolhouse situated on a height and shelteredby a plantation of fir trees. A few hundred yards further on, at thecorner of the road to Piperstown is the farmhouse named AnnMount, well known in the nineteenth century as a monastery forCarmelite lay-brothers.The monastery of Ann Mount was founded in 1821 by MauriceCollins and John Stewart, who, distressed at the lack of educationamong the children of the locality, leased these premises from26