Shrines

Confession: 

I love shrines.

Humans seem to have a need to connect to the divine (however they define it) and shrines can provide a place for connection - where one can pray, where one can grieve, where one can give thanks, where one can petition. On previous trips we have sought out these places. We have driven down narrow lanes looking for "the well on the side of the road." We have wandered through parking lots and across locked gates (don't judge!) to find a well with a prominent sign "do not drink." But you don't really need to look hard. Shrines and wells and prayer (or fairy, if you like) trees are everywhere.

Here are a few of the shrines we visited/observed on the trip:

Tiny shrine to the Virgin Mary in Dingle, County Kerry. The figure is plastic. Bright pansies decorate.

This shrine - Sacred Heart - is in the Catholic churchyard also in Dingle.

A shrine to the Blessed Virgin - and St. Bernadette? Or does this "recreate" the shrine at Knock, Ireland. I don't know. I do know it is in the Catholic churchyard in Dingle.

The largest shrine we visited was at St. Brigid's Well in Liscannor, County Clare.*  We approached the shrine from above. Many shrubs along the walk were dotted with bits of string, yarn, and fabric.** A stair leads down to the lower level where there is an entrance to the "cave" containing the well. The walls of the cave are lined with photos, prayers, statues, rosaries, and other "offerings"/mementos. Standing in line, we had time to note the moving items left behind.

The lower level of the shrine also contains a glass-enclosed statue of St. Brigid who appears to cast her benevolent gaze over the countryside.

Looking down on the well from above. One can see some of the items left through the ribbon covered branches.

Shrubs and trees above.

More shrubs and trees.

Good Saint Brigid and others look across the countryside.

I suspect the statue was being damaged by pilgrims touching her, holding her hand.

I stood with the statue to "see what she sees."

Rosaries and jewelry bedeck a statue of the virgin.

Photos and letters - these break my heart.

I stood behind a young man who approached with great reverence.

And he too examined the articles all around us.

St. John was there too.

Now I will share a couple of other places where there is a wish or a prayer or something...*** The first is the prayer tree**** at the Kenmare stone circle. The second a lock on a fence at the Cliffs of Moher.

Most of the trees guard the edges of the clearing where the circle stands. this tree is near the circle. It is well decorated with notes and tags and string.

We were unprepared, but dug in our pockets for a slip of paper. Then we shared some string with a prayer for "them what shared, unknowingly."

A love lock.***** There was another a little further on. This will not amuse the farmer who protects his property with an electrified fence (as the weight of thousands of locks have threatened the stability of bridges and fences). But lovers will insist.

NOTES:

*http://irelandsholywells.blogspot.com/2014/01/saint-brigids-well-liscannor-county.html
  http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ALandmks/HolyWells.html
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_well

**http://www.earlychristianireland.net/Specials/Holy%20Wells%20and%20Trees/

***I am leaving out the churches with their votive candles because those were already well covered.

**** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_lock

DISCLAIMER: I am Catholic and Methodist by heritage.  I grew up on the lives of the saints. I respect other people's right to believe or not believe. We are vulnerable creatures, we humans. Throughout history we have reached out to "the infinite other." I won't get into right or wrong, valid or invalid. It is. And I find it humbling, infinitely creative/imaginative, and fascinating. [And that's enough of that.]