Just staggered in from a grand day out. It's Bank Holiday here and the rain has only just started!  There was an open day at a Protestant church down in Timoleague. Last time we went, about 5 years ago, you could collect the key from the Post Office, let yourself in and have a browse but now there is a big conservation effort underway and this was one of the open days. From the outside it looks like countless other churches around here but go inside and it is jaw dropping! It is covered from head to toe in High Victoriana including the most superb mosaics, brilliant stained glass and painted ceilings. It is now hardly used and the building is in need of some tlc. Shockingly, although it must be unique and the conservation costs are sky high, it is receiving hardly anything in Government support. This is the view looking down to the altar - when the stained glass was first uncovered in 1861 the bishop of Cloyne was so shocked by the brilliance of colours he insisted a cloth be put over it or else he would not conduct the consecration! The mosaics are sublime: craftsmen were brought in from Italy and the work was completed thanks to a generous donation by a Maharajah! See extras for a few details. The angels are painted.
We tore ourselves away and went to the Catholic church next door (some Harry Clarke stained glass in there), then on to the ruins of the Abbey. Three holy wells were revisited and inside one we were amazed to see a huge nest with two large rooklets inside! On to a sandy beach - how much warmer the water felt - then home via the backroads. By this time the pubs had opened - the first time since goodness knows when  - and they were packed - outside seating only so everyone now embracing al fresco living, shorts and beanies seeming  the fashion statement of the day!
More about the church here from my pals the Roaringwaters if you're interested:
Mosaics & Maharajahs 1
Mosaics & Maharajahs 2