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Holy Wells of Cork & Kerry

not all who wander are lost

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Penal Times

Vikings, priests & enigmatic bullauns in South Kerry

24th October 2022 6 Comments

Recently my friend Pól sent me some interesting information about a well near Bonane in South Kerry and wondered if I had visited it yet: Tobar na Lochlannach. Tá an tobar sin suidhte ar an dtaobh thiar den pharóisde ar bharr an chnuic, Nuair bhí na Lochlannaigh ag déanamh beorach as an bhfraoich gheibhidís uisge […]

Filed Under: South Kerry Tagged With: Bonane bullaun Gortnabinny heather ale Inse an TSagairt Penal Times Schools' Folklore Project Vikings Warts

Derrynafinchin: a bullaun, Mass rock & stone circle

16th October 2022 3 Comments

The townland of Derrynafinchin – Doire na Fuinseann which seems to mean rather confusingly oak wood of the ash trees – lies in the incredibly scenic and remote Borlin Valley in West Cork. Everywhere was looking Autumnal and lush in the soft drizzle as we ventured forth. First stop a wayside grotto, tucked neatly into […]

Filed Under: West Cork Tagged With: Archaeological Inventory Borlin Valley boulder burial bullaun cupmarks Derrynafinchin stone circle grotto Hilary Bishop Mass Mass Rock Penal Times quartz stone circle

In Search of Fair Women

14th July 2021 7 Comments

A most enjoyable morning in the company of Patsy O Callagan and John Lane, two very knowledgeable and passionate local historians. They had invited me to explore two obscure wells in their parish of Iniscarra – how could I refuse. Fuelled with good coffee at the Angler’s Rest we headed off down small country lanes, […]

Filed Under: Iveragh Peninsula North Cork Tagged With: Archaeological Inventory for Cork Bentee Mountain Cahersiveen Carhan Woods Carhue Courtbrack Denny Lane epilepsy fulacht fiadh goddesses Iniscarra Matehy Penal Times Schools' Folklore Project

A tale of Saints & Sheep: Tobar na Molt, Ardfert

20th November 2018 13 Comments

A trip to Kerry and a chance to take a quick excursion to a well I have long wanted to visit – Tobar na Molt, Well of the Wethers, in Ardfert just north east of Tralee. I have always been intrigued by the name and this entry from the Schools’ Folklore Collection offers an explanation: […]

Filed Under: North Kerry Tagged With: Altar An Túr Gloine Ardfert Bishop Erc bloodhounds Danes Lameness Mass Michael Healy. Patrick Logan Penal Times penitential pilgrimage pilgrims' shelter rag tree rounds Schools' Folklore Project St Brendan St Erc St Ita statues tomb chest trout Tubrid wethers

The Red Well, Tobar Dearg: a moving well

1st February 2018 1 Comment

Having  come down off Mushera Mór of course the sun came out and fuelled by a large bowl of soup we felt able to explore another well. What an unexpected delight this was. The Red Well, Tobar Dearg, Toberderg Rather intriguingly, it sounded as though the Red Well, Tobar Dearg, was on two sides of […]

Filed Under: North Cork Tagged With: Blessed Virgin Mary bullaun cilleen cross slab deer Derryroe Easter frog fulachta fia Mass Rock offerings Penal Times pilgrimage Rheumatism rounds Schools' Folklore Project st Berrihert St Gobnait standing stones Toothache

Inse an tSagairt

10th November 2017 7 Comments

The sun was shining and we nipped across the border into Kerry. It would have been rude not to explore whilst there, so a guest well today. I left Himself at Molly Gallivan’s and he disappeared off into the mountains for a long hike. I headed for Innisfoyle and what sounded like an interesting Mass […]

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: Altar ballaun Bonane Heritage Park Ice Age Mass Rock Penal Times Sheen Valley St Feaghna

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Recent posts

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