Cratloe - Places of Interest

Places of Interest

As Cratloe was an important pass in both ancient times and more recent times, the area around the village is full of interesting sites from antiquity all the up until the Late Middle Ages. The oldest historic site in the village is in the Craughaun Cemetery, where there is a megalithic wedge tomb known as the Ballinphunta Dolmen. This tomb was excavated in 1990 by accident during an enlargement of the graveyard and was then re-erected some time later in the newer section of the graveyard. Also in this graveyard is a vault to the Blood family, dating to 1738 when the first member of the family, Robert Maghlin, was buried. The ruins of the old Craughaun Church, dating from 1418, are also present.
D'Esterre Bridge, built in 1784, crossing the Ratty/O'gChearnaigh River between Bunratty and Sixmilebridge, is characterised by the imposing ruins of the gate-towers remaining from its days as a toll-crossing. Henry D'Esterre built this bridge at his own expense as he wanted a crossing close to his own estate. The famous duel in February 1815 between Daniel O'Connell and Henry D'Esterre's son, John Norcot, arose in local tradition because O'Connell refused to pay the toll, although this conflicts with the conventional account of the duel.
Within the Garranon Oak Wood, a roadside well known as the Squire's Well can be found with some searching. Lady Chatterton stated in 1841 that it flows from a clear stream, however over the time it has not been used, it has nearly been swallowed up in foliage and natural growth. The remnants of several small ráths, or ring-forts can also be found in various fields around Cratloe, although several of these forts were destroyed when the Western Railway Corridor was built in the late 19th century.