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A lovely little spot we were led to in Ireland…. the site of an Irish Catholic monk’s 7 year retreat, around the year 600 A.D….a time when periods of sustained reflection were a deeply valued part of spiritual life.
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The site of this retreat area is in an area of County Clare, in western Ireland, called The Burren, an area of huge expanses of weathered limestone mountains, broad plateaus and valleys. The vegetation in the area varies from plants typical of arctic tundra, alpine meadows and an assortment of small Mediterranean and tropical plants… a truly beautiful area!
The light in The Burren was extremely bright and reflective…
a very powerful sense of illumination
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We were introduced to the area and led along by a truly remarkable man…. Pat McCormick, an insightful philosopher, poet, conservationist and farmer, whose own farm is next to this expanse.
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As we walked along the rocky path, we passed trees that are considered “healing trees.” There were tiny pieces of faded cloth rags tied to some of the branches, wishes and longings of people who have passed by.
Our own magical “guide” during our 10 day wanderings… Denise, an amazing Irish woman, filled with a twinkle in both her heart and eye, a lyrical spirit, a wealth and depth of information, insight and understanding about her dearly loved country…it’s Celtic stories, legends, mythology, spirituality, history, music, hospitality, development and progress….
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Denise, gazing off into the distance, from under a healing tree along the way….
Can you feel her magical spirit?
(oh… Denise…certainly, the magical influence of the mythical Tuatha De Danann????)
the light in The Burren, is unbelievably bright…reflections of the rocks and spirit, perhaps?
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At the side of the valley, under high cliffs where eagles have nested, was a little oasis in the trees…lush, filled with ferns, hazel trees and a tiny stream…our destination…St.Colman’s Well.
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James, a friend of Pat’s….another special person who has helped preserve the integrity of The Burren… explained the preciousness of the healing qualities of the waters of this area, and other areas on earth.
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The site of the Irish Catholic monk’s sacred healing spring and well…
(with a little moss “cave,” lovingly built by a sweet young woman visiting the well that day)
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the lovely little moss “cave” or “altar”…
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The actual cave where the monk lived during those 7 years,
slightly uphill from the spring and well
The remains of the small oratory the monk had built, between the cave and the spring…
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the waters of the sacred, healing spring and well
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a truly mystical, magical, healing spot….
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thank you to the wonderful Irish people
who nurtured and guided us along The Burren on that special day…
Pat, James, Denise….
and, of course…Paddy!
who got us there and back, safe and sound…
and to the many who have come before…
to the many who will come after…
“may the road rise to meet you”
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Pocket Perspectives 
Looks like a lovely spot for reflection and healing, Kathy. Glad you had a chance to soak it up for yourself.
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We went to so many places that had a sense of reflective quiet and healing…the land and culture seems to be imbued with that soothing, restorative and healing sense.
Balanced by a wonderful liveliness, too! 😀 And it was such good timing…so welcomed.
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I can’t remember if you garden, or not. But this book offer from EDF might be of interest to you:
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thanks…the book looks special. I do have what seems to me like large areas of formerly robust flowers and shrubs…gardens that would benefit from revitalizing and nurturing.
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You might also be interested in the posts that Kate is doing at the moment. I gave her a link to this post, as well.
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thanks for that link…great timing…it’s interesting to see so many similarities among the spirituality of older cultures throughout the world…and how the depth and goodness of those older, spiritual traditions were often stifled by newer religions and philosophies… such an unfortunate loss, in so many ways. (although people quietly integrated so many aspects of the traditional in the newer practices…)
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Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing this magical outing. Such wonderful, wonderful pictures. And yes, this seems to be a lovely spot for reflection and healing.
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I’m happy you enjoyed the photos…we went to one after another of wonderful and varied places. But I felt that this spot was the most special…serenely beautiful.
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What a lovely trip and photos. I would be moved in being part of such beauty and history.
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thanks Marie,….the sense of history and the deep connection of the people with their land and heritage was so moving…and the sense of mysticism and wonder…it was soooo moving and inspiring!
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I felt as though I were with you…lovely retelling of what sounds like a lovely trip. A couple of years ago my husband and I toured the Irish countryside. The lushness was overwhelming…in a good way. I’d like to go back someday…our daughter in tow. hugs… 🙂
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Isn’t that lushness of the counrtryside just so beautiful? We want to go back with our daughter, too! 😀 ……she’ll love the beauty, the ancient sites, the stories and legends, the people, the music and the sense of mystery and mystical…and so much else!
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Thank you for sharing this special day with us. The moss, the trees, the water and the wee altar – such healing energies.
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Joss,it was very special there… and yes…so much healing energies. James, one of the people there, was also a healer…but the spring itself seemed enough…
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Looks like such a beautiful, healing spot. Thank you for sharing that with us. 🙂
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Robin, it really was such a beautiful healing spot…such a magical place…happy to share with others, too. 🙂
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