Tobar Mhuire #100DaysOfOldDays

Posted on April 17, 2022 by Gloria

Day 64 #100DaysOfOldDays

Today’s post is also for Marsha Ingrao’s PPAC #44

Tobar Mhuire, the ‘Holy Well’, is located on sacred ground in Co Mayo, close to where the Rosserk river meets the estuary of the River Moy. (Find it here.)

According to local folklore, an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary occurred on this site circa 1680.

The Holy Well is cocooned in a little stone house. On the front there’s an engraving of the words; “This chapel was built in honour of the Blessed Virgin in the year of Our Lord 1799 by John Lynott of Roserk.” Beneath this inscription is a carving of a dove bordered either side with the motto “Peace and Love,” under which are two Latin inscriptions.

The top Latin inscription reads: “Pax, &c., and after it “Amon.” Further down it says; “Discite justitiam moniti et non temnere divis mortem non timeo mons est in limine nostro Decessem a mundo velut umbra sol 1810”. According to Goggle translate this means; “Learn justice, warned, and do not fear the death of the gods. There is a mountain at our doorstep. I departed from the world like a shadow of the sun 1810.”

The bottom slab is from a preceding building and it’s also in Latin; “In honorem Di omnipotentis Beatissimae Virginis sine labe conceptae & omnium Sanctorum Caelestis Curiae me fieri fecit pater Moriatus Crehn August+30,1684.” This translates to; “In honor of the Almighty Gods of the Most Blessed Virgin conceived without stain and of all the Saints of the Celestial Curia did I become the father of Moriatus Crehn August+30,1684.”

That tree has grown out from the stones in the roof of the building. Up until recently—2 or 3 years ago—people visiting the well would hang ribbons, holy medals, Rosary beads and items belonging to a sick person they would be there to pray for. These offerings were traditionally for the spirit in charge of the well and to the priestess who acted as the guardian.

People also throw money into the well and light candles to place along the edges, or leave them floating on the water.

Read HERE for a more in-depth account of Tobar Mhuire and the history of holy wells in general.

Lucy’s drawing of Tobar Mhuire.

The Salmon Capital of Ireland #100DaysOfOldDays

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Gloria

Day 53 #100DaysOfOldDays

Today’s post is also part of PPAC #42 hosted by Marsha Ingrao at alwayswriteblog

This mural that I’ve chosen is painted on the gable of a building that looks across at its neighbour, the Cot & Cobble Restaurant in Ballina, Co Mayo.

The town of Ballina—Béal Átha an Fheadha, meaning ‘mouth of the ford’—started off as a small seaport and market town on the River Moy in the 16^th century.

Down through the centuries, Ballina has inherited its own unique culture and traditions. It’s now a thriving town with an urban population of between 10,000 to 15,000 people ( We’ll see what this year’s census reveals).

Since 2 ½ km of the River Moy is located within the surrounds of Ballina, it’s no surprise that the town is world-famous for salmon fishing, and that it’s known as the Salmon Capital of Ireland.

Ballina is also famous for the annual ‘Salmon Festival’. The 8-day event, held in July, has been running since 1964 and attracts over 200,000 visitors to the town annually.

It’s a family orientated festival that celebrates the arts, culture, heritage, music, street theatre, dance, sport, carnival and food.

For most people the highlight of the festival is the Mardi Gras that ends with an evening of a spectacular fireworks display.

The Mardi Gras and where it came from will get a post of its own during our 100 days of old days.

Lucy’s drawing today;

When The Moy Ran Red #100DaysOfOldDays

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Gloria

Day 25 #100DaysOfOldDays

Today’s post is also for Marsha Ingrao’s weekly Photographing Public Art Challenge (#PPAC)

✣ ✣ ✣

They say that the River Moy ran red with blood on the 23^rd of September 1586, after the slaughter of almost 3,000 Scots, half of which were women and children.

The Battle of Ardnaree was a battle in the Tudor conquest of Ireland. (Ardnaree is a suburb in Ballina, Co Mayo in the West of Ireland.)

An Irish-Scottish mercenary army, led by Donnell Gorm MacDonnell of Carey and Alexander Carragh MacDonnell of Glenarm, sons James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg, were invited into Connacht by the Mayo Burkes to attack English settlements and forces. This mercenary army was fronted at Sligo, Coolony and Ballingafad by English forces for over fourteen days.

**Scottish Mercenary Fighter by Lucy McBreen**

The Gallowglass Scots camped for three nights on the banks of the River Moy en route to their final destination of Tyrawley in North Mayo. The governor of Connacht Sir Richard Bingham, and his army followed them there and surrounded their camp during the night. At 10am the following morning they launched their horrific attack.

***Portrayal of The Battle of Ardnaree***

This mural portrays the tragic event that is The Battle of Ardnaree. It is part of a project carried out by the volunteers of Ballina Community Clean Up Group to commemorate the defeated Scots.

The artwork of the huddling starlings protecting themselves against the hawks, portrays the story of the Scots and their assailants. Also represented in the mural are the women and children who witnessed the bloodshed.

Artists: Brenna Rice – blueprint designer, landscape/skyscape artist. Megan McNamara portrait artist. Kevin Loftus – Augustinian Abbey architectural designer. Ciara Casey – Ardnaree Castle artist.

The full story of this historic day by Dermot Rice, is available to watch here on YouTube.