The effigies on either side of the stone have pearshaped heads and crossed arms. Boa island is a small island off the shores of lough erne. Ancient janus stone on boa island county fermanagh high. The janus idol a cult figure on boa island, co fermanagh. Boa island transfered from user page hi, thanks for your excellent work on boa island.
The twofaced janus figure has stood in the caldragh graveyard on boa island, one of several islands in county fermanagh since it was put up by the celts more than 2,000 years ago. In the ancient cemetery at caldragh on boa island in county fermanagh, two extremely. Jul 11, 2015 boa island, county fermanagh bilateral stone figure georgepennockphotography. Mysterious janus figures of ireland reflect pagan christian fusion tucked away on two tiny islands in northern ireland boa island and white island are a series of ancient anthropomorphic figures that are regarded as the most enigmatic and remarkable stone.
Free the janus stone on boa island image on unsplash. Irelands megalithic and prehistoric sites know how to impress even the most seasoned traveler, they are far more than only old stones. The janus stone on boa island predates christianity and it is believed that it goes far back in time to pagan ireland. Find premium, highresolution stock photography at getty images. One is the twofaced and doublesided janus, one of the most valuable ancient statues and landmarks with its roots deep in the prechristian era.
Fun at the ancient stone circle the janus figure on boa island. Badhbha 1 2 is an island near the north shore of lower lough erne in county fermanagh, northern ireland. Close by another smaller stone statue is called the lusty man. The a47 road goes through the length of the island. Two unrelated anthropomorphic carved stone statues called the boa island figure and the lustymore island figure are now found together in caldragh graveyard on boa island. The lustymore stone figure was moved here in 1939 from the nearby island of that name. The stone itself is over 2000 years old and is one of the most famous carved stones in ireland today. The larger sculpture is a twosided janus figure, with. Download this free hd photo of the janus stone on boa island, tree stump, architecture and building in enniskillen, county fermanagh, northern ireland by k.
Boa island close to belleek strangely enough is joined to the mainland via a bridge at either end with a road running through the middle of it, which makes it more convenient for visiting than either white or devinish islands on lower lough erne which are all very rich in celtic spiritual mythology. The larger of the figures is the boa island janus figure. They have been placed beside each other on unrelated pillars in the graveyard. Boa island in caldragh cemetery on boa island, lower lough erne stand two unique stone carvings.
The janus figure on boa island on lower lough erne is a striking celtic idol, roughly 2,000 years old. Janus stones and lusty man caldragh cemetery, boa island. Locals hold the 2ft tall figure, depicting a man on one side and a female on the other, in awe. They have triangular shaped heads, are twofaced like janus, and gaze out of the ferns. Boa island figures, fermanagh, ireland visions of the past. The east face pictured left is carved with a penis. The boa island carved stones, graveyard, and enclosure are scheduled historic monuments sited in the townland of dreenan, in fermanagh district council area, at grid ref. Download this free hd photo of tree stump, caldragh cemetery, boa island and tomb by k. The larger of the figures is the boa island bilateral figure. The second figure wasnt actually found on boa but on nearby lustymore island, hence it is known as the lustyman.
See picture below the nearby lusty man stone, got its name due to the nearby lustymore island,rather than the meaning we might take from lusty today. This two faced janus figure has been watching the sun rise and set over boa island for several thousand years. Another view with alignment in foreground leading to cairn. Boa island, overlooking lower lough erne ferry between boa island and lustybeg island stone figures the janus figure. If youve got even a passing acquaintance with irish heritage, youre likely to be familiar with the famous janus figure of boa island. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Boa island and the mystery of the caldragh janus head. It is called a janus figure because it has two faces, reminding some of the roman twoheaded deity janus. Janus, a graduate of dartmouth college and the university of virginia school of law, groomed stone into a highly seasoned trial lawyer. In the ancient cemetery at caldragh on boa island in county fermanagh, two extremely unusual and mysterious carved figures, possibly from the iron age, stand within the small enclosure. It is called a janus figure because it has two faces, reminding some of the roman twoheaded deity janus, however, it is not a representation of janus. The janus stone, county fermanagh popsugar smart living.
It is thought to represent a celtic deity and could represent a celtic goddess as readily as a god, especially given the name of the island. Boa island is a small island off the shores of lough erne, and caldragh is a place of high earth energy. We entered the yard which was quite overgrown and only a few recent stones were placed. Badhbha is an island near the north shore of lower lough erne in county fermanagh, northern ireland. The boa island stone stands at 3 feet high and has a face on both sides. In caldragh cemetery on boa island, lower lough erne ireland stand two unique stone carvings.
Boa island and caldragh cemetery the janus figure travel to. This graveyard lays at the end of a dirt road, quietly tucked away in the bushes. The larger of these is a janus figure, two figures back to. This road joins each end of the island to the mainland by bridges leading west. The janus stone, county fermanagh haunted places in. It is 25 km 16 mi from enniskillen town it is the largest island in lough erne, approximately 8 km 5 mi long, and relatively narrow. If you have a lot of information about the janus figure, you might want to create a new article specifically about it. Locals found a piece of stone nearby that apparently used to serve as a base for this figure which would have made the janus figure more life. Janus stone caldragh cemetery, boa island traveller.
Janus stone on boa island used the same art style as the statues on while island. Among them, there are two enigmatic and very unique prechristian stone figures. Boa island, janus stone boa island close to belleek strangely enough is joined to the mainland via a bridge at either end with a road running through the middle of it, which makes it more convenient for visiting than either white or devinish islands on lower lough. We went to boa island especially to see the janus stones. H0744 6250 as well as carved stones, graveyard and enclosure grid ref. You barely notice when you have arrived on boa island at the northern point of lower lough erne. The treasures of lower lough erne ireland family vacations. Welcome to tudor farm country house a waterfront home set in the fermanagh lakelands, 3 miles from the village of kesh on the way to belleek, close to lusty beg island and the famous janus stone on boa island. The romans dedicated the month of january to janus. The more famous of the statues marked carved stones on the map in. Built a few thousand years ago by persons unknown, with an intention we know nothing of, they. Sutherland prehistoric caldragh cemetery on boa island keeps its old secrets.
Hes about four feet high and is perched in a lumpy, ancient cemetery in county fermanagh caldragh cemetery. The lustymore figure is in the foreground a canopy placed over the janus figure to protect it from the weather coins left as mementos in a receptacle between the janus figures heads. On boa island near kesh in lower lough erne, county fermanagh, northern ireland, there are two curious statue stones with strange, unique carvings probably harking back to prehistory, or more likely the roman period, and not as some historians once thought, the 5th or 6th century ad. Boa island, county fermanagh bilateral stone figure. The cemetery itself is still in use, but nothing to write home about. It is a heartshaped face probably depicting a celtic idol or diety. Janus figure, boa island, enniskillen northern ireland. Despite having a style clearly influenced by pagan celtic art, the symbolism in the sculptures at white island is clearly christian.
Many visitors to ireland are drawn towards the numerous megalithic and prehistoric artifacts on the island. The six figures all represent figures from biblical texts or christian tradition. The nobel prize winning poet, seamus heaney, celebrated the enigmatic boa island bilateral figures similarity to the roman deity janus in his poem january god. H0852 6197, all in dreenan townland and all scheduled historic monuments. Two of the most enigmatic pieces of irish sculpture can be found in a small cemetery on boa island in county fermanagh. Visit caldragh cemetery on your trip to boa island or. It is called a janusfigure because it has two faces, reminding some of the roman twoheaded deity janus, however, it is not a representation of janus. Tudor farm country house, 651 boa island road, kesh 2020.
View topquality stock photos of ancient janus stone on boa island county fermanagh. This figure, 70cm in height, is far more weather worn than the janus and some believed that due to this it. The island lies near the northern shore of lough erne and is connected by road bridges a47 to the mainland so no need to hire a boat or get your feet wet. Caldragh graveyard dates from the irish early christian period 400800 ad. Reviewed june 24, 2018 we went to boa island especially to see the janus stones. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. The larger figure is known as the janus stone, as it has two faces. The sandstone figure has crossed arms, traces of patternwork and a shallow depression at the top. Known as the janus stone which is over 2000 years old and predates christianity far back into celtic times. In caldragh cemetery on boa island, lower lough erne stand two unique stone carvings.