2015-11-18



Some say that the number 13 is unlucky! I tend to disagree and for the 13th instalment of the Capturing History Challenge there is as always a great bunch of images from around the globe to share with you. To get started we head down to the Channel Islands to take a closer look at an ancient rocky outcrop above Anne Port Bay on the north-east coast of Jersey known as ‘Jeffrey’s Leap’. Next up we move across the water to England to visit the stunning Colchester castle in Essex. Built over a Roman Temple, Colchesters history can be traced back from the Middle Pleistocene period right up till modern times. We the move north into Scotland and to the Isle of Lewis to view the ancient Callanis Standing Stones which were built between 4500-5000 years ago. We then move south to the warm climate of  the Campania region in Italy were we explore the ancient ruins of Pompei just outside modern Naples. We thenmake our regular trip over to India, for some brilliant Mythology concerning the Bhagwat Gita and the Kurukshetra War. Then we return to Scotland, this time to the Orkney Islands to explore the Neolithic ruins at Skaill Bay. Finaly as always we return to the Emerald Isle, home of the Ruinhunter, were we complete our journey at the medieval Bective Abbey in County Meath. I hope that you enjoys this weeks trip through time and history as much as I have and if you would like to join in on the fun, keep reading till the end to find out how.



1. Jeffrey’s Leap, Ann Port Bay, Jersey. By Roy McCarthy  @ BackOnTheRock



2. Colchester Castle, Essex, England. By Phil Platt  @WheresPhil

3. Callanish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis, Scotland. By Geoff Le Pard @ TanGental

4. Pompei, Campania, Italy. By Darlene Foster @ DarleneFostersBlog

5. Bhagwat Gita, Kurukshetra, India. By Rajiv Chopra  @ RajivChopra

6. Skara Brae and Maeshowe tomb, Orkney Islands, Scotland. By CybeleMoon @ TheRunesOftheGateKeepersDaughter

7. Bective Abbey, Meath, Ireland. By Ed Mooney @ EdMooneyPhotography

Bective Abbey although in complete ruin is still a rather spectacular place to explore. Set in a rural landscape, it is a quite and peacefull place to wander, with some stunning architecture. Built in 1147AD by the King of Breifne, Tighearnán Ua Ruairc for the Cistercian order, it served as a daughter house for Mellifont Abbey, which in turn would also have a connection to Baltinglass Abbey which was built by the King of Leinster, Diarmaid Mac Murchadha a year later in 1148AD. Interestingly, there was quite alot of trouble between these two kings which also involved the alledged kidnapping of the Tighearnán’s wife Derbforgaill by the Diarmaid, which eventually led to Diarmaid’s disposal as King of Leinster in 1167,  by the High King of Ireland – Ruaidri Ua Conchobair. This in turn changed the history of Ireland forever and led to the arrival of Norman invasionary forces to our shores. You can see more images of Bective Abbey and read all about its History HERE.

And so thats it for another week. As always I really have to thank each and every contributor whom has made this challenge possible by submitting their images. If you would like to know more about the individual sites please click the link under the image and visit their site. Many have posted about their image and I am sure that they would love to hear from you and answer any questions you might have. If you would like to join in on this challenge, please read on…………

So here is how you too, can join in;

The plan is quite simple, each Wednesday I will be posting an image of a random site with a heritage connection. Any images sent in will be included in the challenge along with your name and a link to your site. Full credit is given to each participant. The joy of this challenge is that we can all participate and share our images whilst raising the awareness of our own particular History and Heritage. The image can be anything from an old Church or Castle, to a Battlefield or Neolithic tomb, the choices are endless. And you can capture the image on any device you choose to. It can be in colour, black and white or any variation. The important thing is that we share.

And so to make sure that the challenge runs smoothly here are a few notes on how to participate:

All images must have been taking by you, there is no time restriction on this and you retain the copyright for your images

Images should be submitted via email by no later than midnight GMT on the Sunday before so I can ensure the challenge is ready to be posted on the Wednesday morning. My email address is edmooneyphotography@gmail.com

You don’t have to even have to be a WordPress blogger. This challenge is open to everyone, please include your name and a link back to your blog, website or social media page.

Images should be kept at low resolution with the largest side at 1000 pixels or less, if you need help with this you can pm me.

Once the challenge is published I will delete all files and mails from that week .

Each contributor should write a small piece about their image on their blog, for readers to check out, or at least the history behind the shot by adding  to the comments of each challenge.

After the success of this yeaars SPOOKTACULAR, I am considering doing a similar challenge for the festive season in December. So if you might be interested in joining in, drop me a line and if I get enough interest over the next couple of weeks, we will have another great challenge to look forward too. Register your interest @ edmooneyphotography@gmail.com

Filed under: Capturing History Challenge, Diary of a Ruinhunter Tagged: Abbey, Bhagwat Gita, Callanis, Capturing History Challenge, Castle, Colchester, England, India, Ireland, Italy, Jersey, Nikon, Photography, Pompei, Scotland, Skara Brae and Maeshowe tomb, Standing Stones, Travel

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