En route to Ardpatrick, a sign caught our eye somewhere near Kilfinnane- holy wells. Having never knowingly driven past one let alone more than one, we decided to investigate. A gap in a hedge and faded signage looked hopeful. It was quite a steep clamber down the other side, the steps literally cut into the […]
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Two wells on the Cork/Limerick border
Whilst in Limerick hunting down the Gobnait wells, it would have been rude not to visit a few others in the vicinity. In fact, I fear County Limerick might be calling! These two wells are literally on the border with Cork near Charleville, in fact they are both mentioned in the entries for County Cork […]
Still in pursuit of St Gobnait
This post may only be of interest to serious St Gobnait devotees! Whilst limited by lockdown I researched, virtually and whenever possible in the field, the peregrination of St Gobnait as she went in search of the site of her resurrection – identifiable by nine white deer. From setting out on the Aran Islands where […]
Well Hunting in the time of Covid
The last two years have been most strange and disconcerting, and we’re not out of the woods yet. Well hunting has been severely curtailed but I thought it might be interesting to do a quick round up of some of the wells visited during the moments lockdown was lifted. A trip to North Kerry in […]
Trout & Tussocks: the Strangeness of Holy Lakes
I don’t know what the situation is in other counties but Cork and Kerry seem to have a fondness for holy lakes. In County Cork for example, the entire Lake at Gougane Barra was once considered sacred for it was here that St Finbarr wrestled with the resident water serpent, Tú, and of course won. […]
St Finán Cam: the Squinty One
On the lookout for St Gregory’s Well, Tobar i Choill, in Glenbeigh, a chance conversation in the excellent Emilie’s café alerted us to St Finán’s Well. St Gregory proved elusive, too overgrown, but St Finán’s Well turned out to be a much loved and distinguished well in an imposing situation, located about two kilometres out […]