There is a listing with a different spelling and locating it in Leitrim rather than Galway. The demense is on the border so could be a lead: http://places.webworld.org/place/16102
You found it! Good work. And yet who is 'St Erneen'? Presumbably the name that Nellie confused with 'St Lirnin.' But I can't find any evidence of either of them. How interesting. More digging is clearly required.
I checked the manuscript, and I think the written name may actually be Éirnín, as Jonathan suggests. You can see the acute accent over the first letter of the name, same as over the second "i". Perhaps her capital E just looks suspiciously like an l.
EDIT: Here's one Éirnín, under the name variant Earnan:
"St. Ernan of CLuvain-Deoghra in Meath (or in County Longford), sixth or seventh century. He is commemorated on 11 January in the Martyrology of Tallagh. When St. Fechin visited St. Ernan at Cluvain-Deoghra the grinding noise of the mill outside the guest-house gave him much annoyance. St. Fechin blessed the mill, and it is said that in consequence thereof the noise ceased to be heard in the guest-house for the future."
My favorite well so far (even if I could do without the Covid masks. Frankly, the religiosity of Covid masks despairs me, but I am not a Good Person.). The touch of mystery about it. It is comfortably between being abandoned (and desolate) and being heavily upkept.
As for making time for prayer at Christmas, probably as you get older, Paul, you will have more time for prayer at Christmas, who knows ? Savor what it means to be still in your prime, if I may be so bold. You are a busy man, with the obligations that come from busyness/business. Time enough ahead, perhaps, to no longer be a busy man.
There is a French expression that goes "on ne peut pas être au four et au moulin". You can't be at the stove and the mill (at the same time).
Ironically enough, I have met too many people who are dedicated to being at the stove and the mill at the same time. They are profoundly dissatisfied with their lot in life. Could this be... sin ?
The stove and the mill ... I like that. I try far too hard to be at the stove and the mill, and the desk and the field, and many more things, all at once. You're probably right: I should make time to be grateful that this is still possible!
Fascinating place and fascinating extra research by Jonathan. I wonder if Lirnin is the unofficial patron saint of millers? Old millwrights were expert masons, and modern millwrights are expert welders. The artistic gate isn't much more than 50 years old.
Interesting…I haven’t read that series personally but on the recommendation of a teacher I respect, the quixotic school book fair my hubby and I started carry Cooper’s work as an alternative to Rowling.
Paul, sometimes not knowing about a place or things can be revealing...I ( although from across the pond afar) get a sense this well in Galway is a holy mysterious place , and like the Holy Spirit that was with Jesus at his Baptism this well is also with the Holy Spirit , it just remains somewhat hidden, perhaps it is for us to seek it in our hearts, as with most things .
Off topic but wanted to tell you of a wonderful Russian Icon museum in Clinton, Ma now with special exhibit of orthodox churches etc in neighboring countries. Last time I visited a young Russian guide said that Russia was building churchs all over. A rechristening was happening. Should you come to New England you might like to visit. I’ll try to give a link if I can. Hard for me in this format.
I also found this holy season so full of everything except quiet reflection.
Sometimes, a holy well is the only memory that is important, witnessed by its sole survival. Maybe its namesake and its origin would be detrimental to its holiness. After all, is it not the water of holy wells that render them holy?
This is wonderful! I especially love Nellie Coleman doing her assignment (a lovely one!) and collecting information from her neighbors! And I also love how a couple readers dug in and found more info! I think this may be my favorite well, also!
The more I follow your journey to sacred wells, I wonder Paul. Have you managed to make a pilgrimage/ personal visit to a well that is still used for spiritual connection? I do believe that there is energy still around, above, below and within old sites. However, the experience of being with others at a site still used to heal and connect is very precious. When there is a group of people all on their own journey- but there together, it can be a very healing experience. You can definitely sense that you are in a thin space.
There is a listing with a different spelling and locating it in Leitrim rather than Galway. The demense is on the border so could be a lead: http://places.webworld.org/place/16102
You found it! Good work. And yet who is 'St Erneen'? Presumbably the name that Nellie confused with 'St Lirnin.' But I can't find any evidence of either of them. How interesting. More digging is clearly required.
Éirnín is really close and Erneen sounds like an anglicised version
My Irish is basically non existent though so don’t take my word for it!
I checked the manuscript, and I think the written name may actually be Éirnín, as Jonathan suggests. You can see the acute accent over the first letter of the name, same as over the second "i". Perhaps her capital E just looks suspiciously like an l.
EDIT: Here's one Éirnín, under the name variant Earnan:
http://www.omniumsanctorumhiberniae.com/2022/08/saint-earnan-of-cloonrallagh-august-5.html
There might have been as many as 17 Saints Éirnín:
https://www.libraryireland.com/names/men/eirnin-ernin.php
Did some more digging, and found another variant of the name: Ernan. There's even mention of a mill!
https://catholicism.en-academic.com/18602/St._Ernan
"St. Ernan of CLuvain-Deoghra in Meath (or in County Longford), sixth or seventh century. He is commemorated on 11 January in the Martyrology of Tallagh. When St. Fechin visited St. Ernan at Cluvain-Deoghra the grinding noise of the mill outside the guest-house gave him much annoyance. St. Fechin blessed the mill, and it is said that in consequence thereof the noise ceased to be heard in the guest-house for the future."
This is excellent research Mark and Jonathan, which clearly puts me to shame. I will explore this saint further. The mill connection is remarkable.
I particularly like the story about St. Fechin blessing the mill to make it stop making so much noise. Good job.
There’s a horse that Knows Things, to be sure ...
My favorite well so far (even if I could do without the Covid masks. Frankly, the religiosity of Covid masks despairs me, but I am not a Good Person.). The touch of mystery about it. It is comfortably between being abandoned (and desolate) and being heavily upkept.
As for making time for prayer at Christmas, probably as you get older, Paul, you will have more time for prayer at Christmas, who knows ? Savor what it means to be still in your prime, if I may be so bold. You are a busy man, with the obligations that come from busyness/business. Time enough ahead, perhaps, to no longer be a busy man.
There is a French expression that goes "on ne peut pas être au four et au moulin". You can't be at the stove and the mill (at the same time).
Ironically enough, I have met too many people who are dedicated to being at the stove and the mill at the same time. They are profoundly dissatisfied with their lot in life. Could this be... sin ?
The stove and the mill ... I like that. I try far too hard to be at the stove and the mill, and the desk and the field, and many more things, all at once. You're probably right: I should make time to be grateful that this is still possible!
From what you write and the way you have of putting it makes me think you would be a Very Good Person. I read everything you write.
Thank you very much for your kind words, the Old Entomologist.
They are a great consolation to me, given where and who I am.
The yoke may be easy, and the burthen light, but getting older makes life more difficult, from what I have learned about it already.
Fascinating place and fascinating extra research by Jonathan. I wonder if Lirnin is the unofficial patron saint of millers? Old millwrights were expert masons, and modern millwrights are expert welders. The artistic gate isn't much more than 50 years old.
and shows the solar cross - shades of Susan Cooper's "Dark is Rising" ...
Interesting…I haven’t read that series personally but on the recommendation of a teacher I respect, the quixotic school book fair my hubby and I started carry Cooper’s work as an alternative to Rowling.
Paul, sometimes not knowing about a place or things can be revealing...I ( although from across the pond afar) get a sense this well in Galway is a holy mysterious place , and like the Holy Spirit that was with Jesus at his Baptism this well is also with the Holy Spirit , it just remains somewhat hidden, perhaps it is for us to seek it in our hearts, as with most things .
Off topic but wanted to tell you of a wonderful Russian Icon museum in Clinton, Ma now with special exhibit of orthodox churches etc in neighboring countries. Last time I visited a young Russian guide said that Russia was building churchs all over. A rechristening was happening. Should you come to New England you might like to visit. I’ll try to give a link if I can. Hard for me in this format.
I also found this holy season so full of everything except quiet reflection.
Love seeing the Holy Well sites.
Sometimes, a holy well is the only memory that is important, witnessed by its sole survival. Maybe its namesake and its origin would be detrimental to its holiness. After all, is it not the water of holy wells that render them holy?
https://www.iconmuseum.org
Here it is maybe of interest here? Beautiful Icons
Thank you! I'm just now looking through their collection. Glorious!
This is wonderful! I especially love Nellie Coleman doing her assignment (a lovely one!) and collecting information from her neighbors! And I also love how a couple readers dug in and found more info! I think this may be my favorite well, also!
Since you mentioned holding silence I think it would be a great place to meditate and feel the Well's stillness and intuit it's origin.
The more I follow your journey to sacred wells, I wonder Paul. Have you managed to make a pilgrimage/ personal visit to a well that is still used for spiritual connection? I do believe that there is energy still around, above, below and within old sites. However, the experience of being with others at a site still used to heal and connect is very precious. When there is a group of people all on their own journey- but there together, it can be a very healing experience. You can definitely sense that you are in a thin space.