Today we ventured inland into the Gaeltacht in the search of St Lachteen. St Lachteen (526- 622AD) is patron saint of the Kilnamatrya area, cill na matra meaning church of the relic. This relic in question was an armbone of the saint, housed in an extraordinary artefact: the Lámh Lachtáin. The gorgeous reliquary dates from […]
Irish Tourist Association Survey 1944
Two Kinsale Wells
A day in Kinsale; rather nice once the crowds have gone, to wander around the windy streets, admire the old buildings and enjoy a white pizza: no tomato sauce but pears, goat’s cheese and walnuts. The Abbey Well, Tobar na Mainistreache The first well goes under many names – Abbey Well, Friary Well, Lady’s Well, […]
Gougane Sunday
The 25th September, is the Feast day of St Finbarr, also known as Gougane Sunday. St Finbarr is the patron saint of the city of Cork and the Dioscese of Cork. Gougane Barra, where he established a monastic cell in the sixth century, was, and remains, one of the main pilgrimage destinations in County Cork. […]
A Forgotten Quartet off the R586
The road between Drimoleague and Bandon offers the opportunity for many holy well diversions – all of them obscure and quite tricky to find, but all worth pursuing. Today there were four wells on the agenda, each clearly marked on the OS map (Discovery Series 86 covers this area). Well of the Baptisms, Tobar a’Bhaiste, Tobernabastia, Nedinagh […]
Well of the Cold Spring, Tobernanore, Sheep’s Head
Clearly signed from the road (look out for the Ancient monument symbol on the gate) this well lies in a magnificent position with views out over rich pasture towards Dunmanus Bay. The site feels remote and open, yet the well is hidden and tucked into the landscape. The first time I came here, it was […]
Blessed Well, Tobar Beannaithe, Sheep’s Head
This well is in such a wild and remote spot. Walking down from the Goat’s Path through boggy pasture, a ridged path is discernible, flagged by large stones. This takes you down through fields towards a green plateau. The landscape first has to be admired for it is breath-taking. The plateau is in fact part […]