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Caption: Why Templetown is worth a visit
Wild Atlantic Way
#DigitalIreland Templar’s Church
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Caption: Being from Washington DC, I grew up surrounded by history. But it wasn’t until I started to travel that I realized how young my country really was.
History was not my favorite subject in school, but now I’m fascinated by how it has shaped our world.
Templar’s Church has quite a History of its own. I didn’t realize how special this site was until I got home and started to research.
If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, perhaps learning a little about the importance of this former home of the Holy Order of The Knights of Templar will entice you to add it to your list of things to do.
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Caption: Located on Hook Peninsula in Templetown, Templar’s Church was at one time the headquarters for the Knights of Templar.
After the Norman invasion of Ireland, King Henry II gave large pieces of land to the this order of monastic Knights.
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Caption: Standing in front of what would have been the entrance, you can’t help but wonder what life was like then. Research tells me that this order of monks amassed a lot of wealth and power.
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Caption: When Christian control of the Holy Land was lost in the 1290s, it was the Templar’s who were blamed.
King Philip of France was in debt to the Templar’s, so it was the perfect time for him to have them arrested on various charges such as heresy and idolatry. It’s said many of the members confessed under torture. Most were imprisoned in Dublin Castle, but their leader was burned at the stake in 1314.
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Caption: The Order of the Knights of Templar was dissolved but it’s said they were the most feared order of Medieval Knights in History.
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Caption: In fact, some research said the Knights Templar may have guarded the Shroud of Turin and the Holy Grail.
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Caption: Who knew this short stop would have such a fascinating story?
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Caption: Can you even imagine what these walls would say if they could talk?!
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Caption: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”
~ Marcus Garvey
I hope this short story has made you want to learn more about the history and beauty of Ireland. Visit Tourism Ireland and start planning!
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