Gougane Sunday

You may not have realised but today is the Feast Day of St Finbarr, the patron saint of Cork and all round good egg. He founded a monastic cell on a tiny remote island amongst the mountains of inland Cork. did tons of miracles (so potent was he that his hand literally glowed and he had to wear a glove so as not to alarm people), lived a saintly life until an angel beckoned him to the marshes of Cork where he founded a monastery renowned for its scholarship. Apart from literally glowing with goodness, he was also remarkably handsome and had white blonde hair - Fionn barra meaning beautiful white hair, or something close!

His island is still there but now attached by a causeway and his monastic cell has been replaced by a tiny chapel. It is an incredibly scenic and majestic spot still, much beloved for weddings. It also remains a sacred spot and today, St Finbarr's Day, is a day of pilgrimage -  I had to go and investigate for two holy wells are included in the traditional rounds.
It may look sunny but the wind was fierce and the sunshine rudely interrupted by torrential downpours. Nonetheless crowds gathered - some well togged up in plastic rainhats, layers of macs and umbrellas. The main holy well was bedecked in fresh roses and zinnias and looked beautiful. Most people stopped to take some water or to fill a bottle. The other well, knows as the health well, was not doing so well - now situated near some toilets (award-winning toilets though, designed like an iron age house!!) I didn't see anyone go to collect water there, even though the rules state that your bottle should contain water from both wells. I was just about to sample the delights of the loo when I heard bagpipes and along came the Ballyvourney Pipe Band, led by a very small person , followed by an assemblage of bishops - and a cardinal - The Cardinal of Armagh no less who then conducted an openair Mass.
What an interesting occasion, one that's been going on for hundreds of years. Activities used to be a bit more lively for in the late 1700s the feast day was abandoned because of 'dissipation' with the threat of excommunication on anyone who dared to assemble! No dissipation that I saw today but the hotel and tea rooms were doing a roaring trade.
Might be worth biggifying.