River Boyne - Energy : Fear

The Energy -

Just as we say a church is a place of sanctity where the very fabric of the building engenders feelings of connection to the divine, so the castle resonates as a place of fear for humans.  The intentions when designing castles, walls, and forts are all defensive against attack and creating bases for attack.  These structures dominate many of the bankside sections as you travel the length of the Boyne. They are large solid places built to invoke fear in others. In this monumental show of strength the builders were saying I can overcome you by force.  They are a statement saying I am here, I am staying here and I am stronger than you. If these buildings were animals we would describe them as terrifying monsters.  But fear arises during expectation of an event as well experiencing the event itself.  In raising the buildings their residents caused fear in others but also brought fear into their own lives - they created a challenge to others and thus the possibility of attack.  The River was the easiest route for traffic until tarmacadam was invented, it was likely that the attacker would come via the river.  And so the construction of attack/defence positions  brought the energy of fear to the Boyne.

The Places -

Carbury castle standing high on the hillside above Trinity Well, Carbury

Donore - possibly one of the £10 castles set up by Henry VI in 1429

Trim Norman castle - first built 1172 to 1174 burnt down by attackers 1174 - River diverted around castle so that it effectively stood on an island -

Trim - walled town

Navan - mottes - walled town

Carrickdexter Castle

Dunmoe Castle - siege 1641

Knowth at one time an Iron Age hill fort

Drogheda - walled town

Page last updated: 9th Feb 2009