Ritual site — holy tree/bush in Aghaboe

St. Canice's Bush or Kenny's Bush unlocated 1/4 mile S of Aghaboe Abbey (Carrigan, 1905, vol. 2, 47). According to Carrigan 'The Bush was in the 'Cross Field' and rotted away a few years ago and only the decayed stump remains' (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 47). Described in the History of the Queen's County as 'In the immediate neighbourhood of Aghaboe Protestant Church tradition points out in the fields of the position and direction of former roads, that led to this old monastery….In part of a rich pasture field, some aged hawthorn branches werew to be seen, and beneath them there was a small stone pile, resembling a stone cairn. My informant (Mr. Jeremiah Dunne owner of the field) told me a tradition, that the coffin of St Canice had been laid there before his interment, by the people of Aghaboe. When the writer visited that spot (August 2nd 1869), one of the aged hawthorns had falled ten years previously, and it lay across the ordinarily travelled roadway. Although the trunk was greatly decayed, yet its branches were partially covered with green leaves; and although this tree caused considerable obstruction owing to its position, the proprietor of the farm obliged his drivers to take a detour when passing by the spot, nor would the poorest person in the locality dare to remove any of the rotten branches for firewood. This feeling was generated by a long established reverence for the sanctity of holy Canice, and through a fear of desecrating any object however remotely connected with him. Somewhat removed from this spot, and in the centre of the same field, a depression in the form of a cross was shown, and there it is said, the saint's coffin was laid a second time, while the citizens of Kilkenny and Aghaboe were about to engage in a deadly conflict for posession of Blessed Canice's remains. (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 159). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007