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Dunmore Cave: The Viking Massacre of 928

Kilkenny, Ireland

easy
history

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Market Cross

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225

XP

1 day

Dunmore Cave: The Viking Massacre of 928

easy
history

225 XP

The Annals of the Four Masters record that in 928 Godfrey grandson of Ímar came out of Dublin and destroyed Dearc Fearna — this cave — and killed the people sheltering in it. Human remains have been found inside, and while it has never been conclusively proved they are the victims of that raid, the coincidence is hard to put down. The cave itself is a limestone show cave with a cross-shaped calcite column over 19 feet high called the Market Cross, the finest formation in the cave and one of the largest formations of its kind in Ireland.

Required Activities

1

of 4

Take the guided tour down into the cave, 11km north of Kilkenny city

2

of 4

Stand under the Market Cross, the calcite column over 19 feet high

3

of 4

Find where the human remains were recovered and hear what is and is not known about them

4

of 4

Read the Annals of the Four Masters entry for 928 that names this cave

  • Take the guided tour down into the cave, 11km north of Kilkenny city

  • Stand under the Market Cross, the calcite column over 19 feet high

  • Find where the human remains were recovered and hear what is and is not known about them

  • Read the Annals of the Four Masters entry for 928 that names this cave

Before you go

Steep steps down into the cave and cold, damp conditions all year. Guided tours only.

Finding nearby campsites...

About Kilkenny

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Challenge Location

XP Breakdown

Challenge XP

225 XP


Potential total

225 XP

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