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| CHAPEL ABBEY, DUNGARVAN, CO. WATERFORD. -It can scarcely be claimed that the ruins of the abbey at Dungarvan are in themselves imposing, but the chapel, in a renovated state, has a quaintness in its general aspect that at once attracts the interest of the beholder. The castellated tower is very ancient, dating from the 7th century, when the abbey was founded by St. Garvan. In the neighborhood are the strong castle and might walls built by King John, who had great faith in stone and mortar, according to the Norman fashion. The town of Dungarvan has a population of some 5,000, who mainly devote themselves to fishing, shop keeping and agricultural pursuits. The bay, which is three miles long and about the same width, is capacious enough, but rather shallow, averaging in depth from one to five fathoms. With the exception of Waterford harbor, this portion of the Irish coast is not favorable for heavy shipping, and many terrible wrecks have occurred upon it. In 1816, the British transport, Seahorse, with the 59th regiment on board, was driven on the coast near Tranmore, in broad daylight, and 291 men, together with 72 women and children, perished. The Gaelic form of Dungarvan is Dun-Garbhain, meaning Garvan's Fortress, although it is related that the saint who founded the abbey was also a warrior. Most probably, he was obliged to fortify the church property, owing to the incursions of the Danes, who were very lively pirates in the days in which he flourished. |
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