Tobarin na sul

Quick morning in school, the weather was good so I dragged son number 1 off in search of holy wells. There were two that I knew of but had proved elusive - both on the edges of lough Ine. Lough Ine itself is a large freshwater lake surrounded by mountains - it's a site of special scientific interest as it's very deep an all sorts of strange creatures live within. However, that was not our interest - we rummaged through woodland until the first well came into sight - Tobarin an sul - the well of the eyes. What an astonishing and magical place. The little well, in its stone enclosure, gives forth clear cold water. A four pronged rowan tree grows behind it and from this dangle an incredible assortment of offerings . It feels  ancient and pagan and powerful. Dedicated to St Bridget this well was meant to cure sore eyes.  
I knew the other well was 50 m north but wasnt sure which direction north was (no I was never a boy scout)  - more rummaging amidst stones and trees until son number 1 found it at the edge of the road. Another magical site, more tidied up than the other but none the less ancient. This well, also with pure clear water, is dedicated to the BVM (Blessed Virign Mary) . White quartz pebbles make a little path to it and the well itself is enclosed in stone with another amazing array of offerings, many being Mary orientated.  I was very satisfied. You can see a set on flickr - no time to add any descriptions yet though.

We then had a mooch around the lake and I practiced using son number 1's dslr - he's a very good teacher but there's a lot to learn.

Tonight the arthouse movie is a French romcom - perfect for Valentine's Day. Apologies for lack of comments but it's a bit hectic. Jim the digger man has also ripped up the boreen, put in pipes and covered it all over again. The  smallpond is slowly filling after all the excitement of the sculpture yesterday. Life in the fast lane.