Dartrey Forest, County Monaghan, Ireland was formerly the estate of the Dawson family, who had the title "Earl of Dartrey" from 1866 to 1933. It is currently managed by Coillte as a commercial forest. The Forest is bordered by a Famine wall which stretches half way along the road from Cootehill to Rockcorry. The landscape of the forest and surrounding area is particularly beautiful, being composed of a series of lakes joined by the Dromore River. A description from 1844 states "the banks of the Cootehill (Dromore) River, for several miles above the town, furnish a constant series of very rich close landscapes, chiefly of the class which may be designated languishingly beautiful." The lakes have a number of crannógs which provided traditional fortification until possibly the late 16th century and perhaps helped facilitate trade with settlements up stream. Between the lakes is a large island of considerable beauty where a temple of architectural significance has suffered much decay over the years. Designed by James Wyatt in 1770, it is modeled on the Pantheon, Rome and is according to John R. Redmill DipArch FRIAI RIAI RIBA, a leading Irish architectural conservationist "one of the most important 18th century buildings in Ireland". Although roofless for the last 40 years, historic preservation and restoration efforts are being undertaken by the local Dartrey Heritage Association. (see link below for image of Temple)
The location was once part of the wider region of Dartrey (Dartraighe, Dartraige Coininnsi, Dairtre, Dartree, Dartry) Kingdom which stretched north to Clones, belonging to the McMahons and O'Boylans. The name is derived from the Dartraige, the ‘calf people’ who were an early Irish tribe that dwelt in and around the area of north Roscommon, east Sligo, west Leitrim and southern Monaghan. It was a sub-kingdom of the larger federated Kingdom of Airgíalla, which at one stage stretched from Lough Neagh to Lough Erne and from Derry to Louth. The status of the king (and queen) of Airghialla was such that they sat beside the High King at Tara at great gatherings, and his sword was allowed to touch the High Kings hand - a sign of trust. The larger kingdoms territory decreased as the area took on a more ecclesiastical power structure from Armagh and allied with the with Northern and Southern Ui Neill who dominated the political sphere serving as High King of Ireland from the Hill of Tara. It was further reduced by the conquest of the Normans in the 12th century. The Book of Rights list the tribes of the Airgíalla in the 5th century and their entitlements from the king of Airgialla. The following poem was composed by the bard Benén to preserve these rights and benefits.
1. This difficulty rests upon the descendants of the Collas, the bright host of Liathdruim,
that they do not know the amount of their stipend, from the king of bright Fuaid.
2. Here is the tradition—I shall relate it for you— of the descendants of gentle Cairpre:
learn, people of Fál of the fiana, the handsome stipends of the Airgialla...
16. The king of Dartraige, a flame of valour, is entitled to four bondsmen of great labor,
four swords hard in battle, four horses, and four golden shields...
20. Here is the tradition of the hosts, whom Benén always loved:
it is a great difficulty to all the learned, save him who is expert in testimony.
as Gaeilge (original)
1. In cheist sea for chloind Cholla for sluag luchair Liathdroma
can fis a tuarastail tall ó ríg Fuaid na find-fearand.
2. Atá sund, sloindfed-sa daíb senchos cloindi Cairpri chaím:
cluinid, a lucht Fáil na fian, tuaristla áilli Airgiall.
16. Dligid rí Dartraigi, in daig, ceithri mogaid mórastair,
ceithri claidim chruaidi i cléith, ceithri heich, ceithri hór-scéith.
20. Atá sund senchas na slóg dá tuc grád co bráth Beneón;
acht int í bus treórach teist ar cach n-eólach is ard-cheist. IN.
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