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10 July 2016
It was another rainy morning in Donegal, but it looked like it was clearing a bit so we headed down to the beach. By the time we got there it really started pouring so we headed back to the house. Our friends Peter and Eilís arrived not long after and we had a nice visit with them. As they pulled away from the house, the sun came out so we loaded back into the car only for the rain to become heavy again.
The view from our house
We needed to go to the store at some point, so we decided we’d head to Killybegs. On the way the weather became clearer so we stopped at Fintra Blue Flag Beach for some castle building. When we arrived there were a fair number of people there, but when we left the the carpark was completely filled. We stayed for awhile until the rain started back up and then went to do our shopping at the Supervalu.
Fintra
When we came out of the shop it was dry, so we stopped in at some of the local local sights. First stop was St. Catherine’s Well. Local tradition holds that once three monks were caught in a violent storm off the coast and they prayed to St. Catherine of Alexandria for assistance. They promised that if they were saved that they would dedicate a well to the saint in the first place they landed.
To get there you go past the pier and continue all the way along the road (with the water on your left) until the road ends at the entrance for the Commercial Harbour. Just before the restricted area you will see a large car park on your right and you will immediately see the Holy Well. The well is very well maintained due to a donation from a successful local artist and the children were very excited! They both proceeded straight to the well and offered up prayers.
Saint Catherine’s Well with St. Kit’s Castle above
The rounds for the well
Sarah began to head to St. Kit’s castle which is in ruins immediately above the well, but it was wet and slippery and we decided that it would have to wait for another day. The castle was built about 1355 by the Bishop of Raphoe and housed, amonst others, Donanld McGonagle who represented Ireland at the Council of Trent. It was abandoned in 1601.
From the well we followed the wonderfully maintained path to St. Catherine’s Friary. This Franciscan friary was built between 1535-1540. It changed hands a few times between Catholic and Protestant churches beginning in 1601 but continued to be used until 1829. It is a beautiful, peaceful place with some very old grave markers. It feels like you are in the middle of the country, but you are still in the middle of town.
The entrance to St. Catherine’s Friary
The lane that approaches the friary is beautiful
At the end of the grassy lane is a gate to enter the churchyard
St. Catherine’s Friary
The north transept extends into the distance
The southern wall faces the well. It didn’t look like a southern transept was ever added
The nave as seen from the choir
I was really glad to get to see these places as I had never been to any of them before. In fact, I didn’t even know that they were here until a couple of years ago. Once we had finished in the friary, the children were losing steam. So we started back to the house to eat and settle in for the evening. The sunset tonight was absolutely stunning!
Sunset over Gleann Cholm Cille
Gaeilge Experience: TV, Radio, texting with friend. Spent the day outside of the Gaeltacht today.
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