Two days exploring the remote and scenic tip of the Beara Peninsula and some very curious wells discovered. Kilaconenagh Holy Wells, near Castletownbere The weather on day one was not promising – thick fog and a steady mizzle. We persevered however and the first well stop was just outside Castletownbere. The GPS led us down […]
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Exploring around the M8
A very fruitful three days in East and Mid Cork enjoying a spot of well hunting. A fine variety was discovered, this little crop lurking on either side of the M8. St Cuain’s Well, Tobairin Cuain, Knockraha This well sounded intriguing: I liked both names – Knockraha (hill of the forts) and the unusual and […]
A bit of a Sow’s Ear
Today we headed off towards Kinsale with our friends Robert and Finola from Roaringwater Journal fame, stained glass and holy wells on the agenda. Finola is giving a talk on stained glass shorlty and wanted to take photos of the windows in St Multose, Kinsale. The church is closed in the winter, apart from services, […]
On the Trail of St Lachteen
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 […]
In Search of Cats around Toe Head
The day being fine we set out for Toe Head, a small peninsula somewhere below Skibbereen roughly towards Castletownsend. There were three wells on the agenda and I was not very hopeful about finding any of them. Once off the main Castletownsend road the roads become quite challenging but highly scenic: tiny bumpy roads with […]
Close Encounters around Clonakilty
Four wells beckoned in the backhills around Clonakilty. Enlisting the help of my pal Finola of Roaringwater Journal fame, an expert navigator thankfully, we set off to explore, the day being bright and beautiful. Trinity Well, Tobar na Trionóide Naofa, Castleventry First stop was Castleventry. Parking in a handy layby, we were surprised to find […]