Glenasmole Roads

GLENASMOLE ROADSThere is at present in the National Museum, a weavers comb madeof horn which was found in Glassamucky bog. It is the only one ofits type ever found in Ireland and is believed to be of Iron Agedate.In the adjoining townland of Powerscourt Mountain in 1941 abronze dagger 10.5 inches long was found about 4 feet below thesurface. It was in the possession of Lord Powerscourt. 43Another interesting find was made in Old Bolies which lies east ofthe Featherbed Bog. This was a small wooden vessel of pre-Christian date which was found by the army turf workers duringthe war. 44What must surely be the most valuable object found in these bogswas reported in the Dublin papers of 1788: “Last week as somelabourers belonging to Mr. O’Dogherty of Glannasmole werecutting turf, one of them discovered a gold crown at about 4 feetdeep. It is about seven inches in diameter and weighs 11 ounces. Itis perhaps the crown of some provincial king before theintroduction of Christianity. There are several figures raised on itbut no such thing as a cross.” 45Dá Dearga’s HostelAt the end of the bog road, according to O’Curry, there wasanother moat on the brink of Moreen’s Brook, but no remains ofthis can now be seen. It has been suggested by the late HenryMorris that this was the site of Dá Dearga’s hostel, and the placecertainly fits in with the description given in the ancient literature.Conaire Mór, King of Ireland, and his retainers were travellingsouthward along the Slighe Cualann. They decided to spend thenight in Dá Dearga’s Hostel, and were guided thence byMacCeacht who declared that the road they were followingcontinued until it passed through the house. Conaire and his53