Leabh Na Shí

Leabha Na Shí , the ‘bed of the faries’ or the ‘bed of the wind’ is located in a small townland called Moylisha on the borders of Aghowle and Moyachombe or Clonegal. It was a wedge grave located on a rise of the ground but it has many legends attached to it over the years. As a national monument it is under the protection of the Board of Works [ed. OPW] along with Aghowle High Cross and the Ring of the Rath.

It is accessible by a lane which starts at Hughes gate and continues up the small hill for about half a km. It is now a stone circle but was originally covered with clay and smaller stones. In the 1800s a amature archaeologist the Reverend Farnsworth dismantled it looking for gold and torcs. In his work he is said to have removed and destroyed some more valuable artifacts including cremated remains and clay pots. The bones of a large dog were recovered on the site, it is disputed as to wheather the dog was buried there as a mark of disrespect between waring clans or as has been sugested by British visitors was a beloved pet buried with its owner who would have been a chief or person of high ranking with in the clan as in some parts of the British isles were buried with their dogs or horses in the iron age. In the late winter and early spring Leabha Na Shí is well worth a visit for its history and its wonderful views of Carlow, Wicklow and beyond