Mid Summer draws crowds to St. Johns Well

NO official celebration yet crowds from across Duhallow, Muskerry and further afield converged to a picturesque location on the slopes of Mushera Mountain that salutes the popular feast day of St. John’s Day and mid summer. The annual staging has become traditional with patrons from the adjoining parishes from Kerry, North and Mid Cork convening.

“Owing to the coronavirus, there was no Mass yet a steady flow of visitors were evident to continue the tradition”, said Noreen Kelleher from the St. Johns Well Committee.

The Well is situated in a quite and peaceful location for prayer and reflection in addition to being a focal point for visitors thanks to its setting. St. John’s Well is readily accessible for the public-its updating beginning in the 1950’s on the placing of a picture of St. John at the Grotto.

Subsequently the late Sonny Buckley constructed an altar followed by the formation of a special committee whose voluntary efforts put their talents together to erect a grotto and down through the years continue to maintain and create better facilities for visitors.

The first Mass at the Grotto was celebrated on Mid Summer’s Day in 1974 and eight years later, the Stations of the Cross were officially blessed. Subsequently, further developments included the felling of trees allowing the Stations of the Cross can be visibly seen now from road.

The area where the trees once stood is landscaped to become a picturesque and a recreational area, a popular rendezvous for visitors. Similar to other Holy Wells, St. John’s holds a tradition and reputation for curing ailments.

A hard working St. John’s Well Committee continue to undertake a number of renovations.

Visitors can locate St. John’s Well four miles south of Millstreet off the Millstreet to Rylane Kerry/Cork Butter Road or accessed from Macroom on the Ballinagree Road.

Macroom’s Anne Carroll met up with Kathleen Linehan, Mary and Ben Cotter at St. John’s Well on the slopes of Mushera Mountain.

Gobnait and Noreen Kelleher from the St. Johns Well Committee pictured on the slopes of Mushera Mountain.

Mick Curran from Lisgriffin fills Holy Water from St Johns Well.

Cuddles enjoys a drink from St. Johns Well under the watchful eye of Karen and Irene O’Callaghan.

Conor O’Shea, Macroom and Theresa Lynch, Clondrohid visiting St. Johns Well.

Popular visitors to St. Johns Well, Helen and Jimmy Kelleher made it from Dripsey to St. John’s Well.

Michael O’Donoughue, Crookstown paying the rounds at St. Johns Well.

Mary and Donal Meaney, Dromahane enjoyed the scenary at St. John’s Well. All photos by John Tarrant.