Churches and Graveyards
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| The narrow path |
As a child, I remember that whenever we visited the once derelict Castlefreke Estate, we also had to visit the nearby graveyard near Rathbarry House. In those days, you didn't ask why or whine that you didn't want to go. It was simply the done thing that as soon as the picnic was finished and leftovers and paraphenalia returned to the car boot, the whole family including my maternal grandmother would make what I always thought was an expedition. Of course as soon as we reached the graveyard, we, children,. were let loose to explore with the admonition not to fall into any grave or disturb anything! I regret now that I didn't watch to see what grave(s) my grandmother visited because the visit was at her insistence and the reason now lost in the mist of time. We can only assume that some relations or special friends of hers were buried there. I know that she knew the author, Lady Mary Carbery and probably a few more as she was once invited to a ball in Castlefreke. Quite an honour for a young woman from Rosscarbery farming stock but again I never remember her reminiscing about the experience especially when her grandchildren roamed Castlefreke where we were warned not to fall down any of the (unprotected) holes in the roof or over the parapet as our Mum had more than enough to be doing than patching us up!
I think that's where my fascination with churches and graveyards began. They were all built with a common purpose but the situation; size and grave ownership make for very different experiences. The other thing they all have in common is an incredible sense of peace.I'm always interested in the number of people, many of whom have little or no English, who wander into St. Fachtna's Cathedral - just to see! Many have no religious connection or even faith but all want to know more about the history and so many comment on the peace. Religious or not, they want to spend a few minutes sitting and absorbing this oasis of history and quiet - I didn't realise it was on Trip Advisor until recently.
For centuries, the history of each town and village was centred in the local churches - the births, marriages and deaths were the only written records of most family life unless there was land bought, sold or transferred & those records weren't readily accessible to most.
During a visit to Kilbrittain with my Mum, we visited Templetrine, and Holy Trinity Church, Rathclarin, where I spent many a Sunday. These two churches are not too far off the Wild Atlantic Way. They are small intimate places where you know that you're not a number and you will be made as welcome as you want to be. I hope you like these few photos. Even 5 minutes just wandering is enough to calm any stresses and put matters in perspective.
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| Some of these gravestones are little more than long forgotten markers |
Another absolute gem is The Church of the Ascension in Timoleague. This church is more than well worth a visit because it would transport you to India and therein lies an incredible story.
All along the Wild Atlantic Way, and especially in West Cork, there are many churches and graveyards whose history is known locally but is never broadcast to the wider world. What a travesty. We are missing a huge chunk as we welcome visitors to our corner of Ireland but never think of showing them the churches & graveyards, the abbeys and holy wells.
Increasingly retail &/or sport are the new Irish religions of choice, but for our tourism profile, we're missing a lot of potential activity.
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| A lovely old gravestone |
Until next time
Avril
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