Holy holy holy

There is a Holy Well Project afoot. I was part of this venture one recent Saturday. It didn't seem to have much lasting effect on my mental state (or immortal soul); but I applaud the idea that such shrines have a place in community. Even if that place is secularized to fit the needs of 21stC Ireland.

One element of the project is to go visit some of the 42 Holy Wells in the county, make a little video & say a little prayer poem. 

• Overview, introduction 
• St Andrew, Dunleckney 
• St Bridget, Myshall 
• Our Lady, Clonagoose, Borris  
• St Fortune / Fortchern, Killoughternan
• St Lazerian, Lorum (not to be confused with St Lazerian Old Leighlin) 
• These are hosted by the County Library YT Service, where more such clips may appear. 

The key reference article is The Holy Wells of County Carlow (1933) by Edward O'Toole.

As we're talking about heritage, it is with some sadness we report the death of Manchán Magan, gaeilgeoir, broadcaster, prolific writer and Master of Woo. I am a bit of a fan. His republican antecedents are dynastically impeccable - Grannie. As a spoiler, I wrote down all (and more) of his Thirty-two Words for Field when that book came out in 2021. He was interviewed on RTE, essentially from a hospital bed, just a couple of weeks ago when it became known that his prostate cancer had metastasized all over. Still and all, three weeks notice is a bit tight for setting the affairs in order. His latest book Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun) is available at Kennys and in the library but there are 2x reservations as there are copies in the system.

Tír gan gaeilgeoirí, tír gan anam