Continuing from the last blog, still in the Gaeltacht and back to Baile Bhúirne (Ballyvourney). I had almost visited the next three wells once before, on the Trail of St Lachteen. They all looked in remote and challenging locations, and the descriptions for each were rather curt and unexciting. I had resolved to put them […]
In the footsteps of O Sullivan Bere
Summer arrived for a few magnificent days – an excellent opportunity to head to the hills and explore the Gaeltacht Mhúscraí around Baile Mhúirne (Ballyvourney) and Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh (Ballingeary). I had six wells left in this area, all of them in seemingly remote and difficult areas, all of them with apparently little to […]
Enjoying the vibes around Avebury: a Guest Well
An action-packed few days across the water included, of course, a visit or two to a holy well! Today’s well was arrived at at the end of a very special day enjoyed with my son and was a most magical experience. Avebury Stone Circle Based in Bristol, we decided to pop across the county border […]
A Clonakilty Ramble part 2
Continuing on from the big day out in Clonakilty environs, four wells still remaining roughly in a direction towards Bandon. The next stop was Kilbrittain but I was momentarily distracted by some interesting things around Ballinascarthy which resulted in a quick stop to admire a ruined cottage, complete with unusually fancy door and windows. A possible […]
A Final Ramble around Clonakilty & Bandon, part 1
It was lovely to be back in the field after a pause due to bad weather and life in general. It also feels as though I am on the last stretch of this project for I have now visited almost 250 holy wells and I suspect there can only be another 50 or so left […]
The Magical Well
Sometimes you find no definite well but a whole lot of interesting stories! Whilst browsing through the holy well entries for Bantry in the Schools’ Folklore Collection, as you do, I came across this extraordinary account. My Gaeilge being somewhat lacking, I sought help from a Gaeilgeoir and this is her translation: The Magical Well […]