TONBERNAULT HOLY WELL AND MOON RIVER CRUISE
Friday, October 25, saw 56 happy people from, Shanballymore, Castletownroche, Doneraile and Mallow depart for a weekend break to Rosses Point in County Sligo which is a peninsula in the North East of Sligo. Our spirits were dampened by the weather conditions, but as we headed to Co Clare for our first stop, our breakfast, at The Auburn Lodge, Hotel, Ennis weather had improved.
After that break and everyone ready for road we made our journey to Knock, where we had beautiful weather. Here everyone enjoyed nearly two hours some getting Mass, others joining the celebrations of the hour, getting Mass cards, and needless to say shopping and finally all enjoyed a cuppa. All back happy in the coach journeyed on to Sligo, taking in all the beautiful scenery.
Leaving Sligo we headed for Rosses Point, a charming village set against the spectacular backdrop of the Dartry mountain range to the east, and the beauty of Sligo Bay to the west, and in the middle of all the action stands ‘The Metal Man’ high on Perch Rock, pointing the way to safety for all seafarers just as it has done since 1821. On entering to drive way to our hotel at our left was the wonderful monument waiting on shore monument depicts a woman holding her arms out to sea, with a plate reading:
Lost at sea, lost at sea Or in the evening tide We loved you, we miss you, May God with you abide.
We arrive at our hotel, The Yeats Country Hotel, where a welcome awaits all from Co. Cork. After checking in and resting a little we enjoyed a wonderful dinner, which was most welcome. After dinner we adjourned to the Candle Bar for entertainment.
On Saturday morning all were refreshed after an early night and having enjoyed a beautiful breakfast made our way to the coach to begin our Saturday tour. Here we were joined by our tour guide Brendan Mulvey and headed off. Immediately Brendan gave us the history of Rosses Point, a former sea-faring village beautifully situated at the entrance to Sligo Bay. It is best known today for its spectacular blue flag beaches and as a great place for visitors with magnificent scenery and stunning accessible coastal cliff walks. Again pointing out the ‘The Metal Man’, a link with the past and the present that is held very close to the heart of the community. The village boasts one of Ireland’s best golf courses and water enthusiasts can make waves at Sligo Yacht Club.
On entering Sligo town Brendan pointed out many points of interest and the history of the area. From the centre of the town we made our way to Tobernault Holy Well. The holy well, originally known as the Well of the Cliff, an ancient site at the foot of Carns Hill. It is a natural spring and hallowed site winding through the tranquil forest near Lough Gill. It is better known as God’s nature’s gift to the people of Sligo.
Tobernault Holy Well is a place of reflection and nurturing serenity. It predates the advent of Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. Mass is celebrated there annually. A most interesting piece of information to all of us was it is filmed and used in the Angelus at 6pm, particularly the lady tying the cloth on the bush. It can boast of its cleanliness and the layout all around. Here we were standing on the shores of Lough Gill renowned for its beauty. We headed on this beauty drive, leaving the Curlew Mountains on our left for where we could see the five counties, Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Longford and Cavan and where the Battle of the Curlews took place.
Our next stop was Carrick on Shannon, Leitrim’s county town, and the cruising capital of the Shannon. Here we made our way to the cruiser The Moon River, all aboard we headed north of the Shannon. An entertaining pilot talked us through our trip explaining points of interest and folklore of the area while we relaxed enjoyed the scenery, in the most brilliant sunshine, having light refreshments and live entertainment, including the choir of St Mary’s, Mallow and even some took to the floor to dance, while others were on deck and took a chance at steering the cruiser.
After a most enjoyable cruise we took a break to enjoy the town. A quick visit to the Costello chapel, which is believed to be the smallest in Europe, where some pictures were taken and a good view inside. It was built in the 19th century by Edward Costello a rich merchant as a memorial and burial vault for his wife. Likewise he was also buried here. Some done a walking tour of the town, others some retail therapy, others relaxed and enjoyed a quick lunch.
Back on the coach we made our way through, Drumshanbo, leaving the Arigna mines to the west of us and admiring again this beautiful angling resort. Our guide Brendan, who himself was a native of Leitrim, was a tower of local knowledge and everyone enjoyed listening to him. Leitrim has breath taking views of Lough Allen, a beautiful lake and a great place to visit and it is full of nature and lots of small lakes. He took us through, Drumkeeran and had a quick stop at the famous monument of John McKenna, the renowned flute player.
Touring through Leitrim can be seen a unique and sustainable way of life, with its many craft centres, fishing areas and steeped in organic gardening. We passed by Manorhamilton and got a brief history of the area, including The Castle, which was built as a baronial mansion during the plantation of Leitrim by Sir Frederick Hamilton in 1634, this fellow who proved to be a tyrant, noted for his cruelty to prisoners and many of whom he is known to have publicly hanged. The castle was burnt to the ground in 1652 by the native Irish, not before Hamilton had taken the opportunity to burn Sligo town.
Our next and final stop was Glencar Waterfall, where the sun shone and made it so impressive and can be viewed from a lovely wooded walk, very well maintained, with a beautiful restaurant and car park. Everyone enjoyed light refreshments here before we finally made our way back through Co. Donegal to our hotel to a very welcome dinner and a fantastic nights entertainment of music, song and dancing. After the big band finished we had absolute fantastic entertainment from our singers, surging waves of song from Essie Nagle, Geraldine O’Brien, and Michael Curry never to be forgotten. Early hours we all adjourned to get some rest after another fantastic day of sunshine and information from our wonderful guide Brendan.
OUR TRIP NORTH
Having enjoyed the extra hour’s rest with our clocks going back, we enjoyed a fabulous breakfast before heading for our coach for our final tour with our guide Brendan. Blessed again with brilliant sunshine, our first visit was to Grange. A lovely town in Co Sligo nestled in the shadow of fabulous mountains, and close to Streedagh beach which is famous in history. Here on September 25, 1588 three Spanish Armada ships were foundered resulting in a horrendous loss of life. A replica of the bow of a ship commemorates this event. This is also a wonderful two mile stretch of sandy beach and is a popular visitors area for surfing and walking tours.
Our journey brought us to Classiebawn Castle in Mullaghmore. Here we had a brief stop and the history of this castle we listened to. Having had as its guests Lord Mountbatten, and his 14 year old grandson, his grandson’s grandmother of 83 years on that not forgotten summer of 1979. Which was very sad to listen to the story of the 15 year old boy from Enniskillen landing his dream job working on a fishing boat in Mullaghmore. Sadly not long after heading out the bay their dream cruise was not to be and all were blown up. We toured along through massive scenery and listened to the local history, and our next stop was in Glengarne to see the ‘Ballroom of Romance’.
As luck was with us the local caretaker was just leaving and we got a quick look inside. The man behind the original reconstruction of the ballroom arrived and had wonderful memories of great nights, with the Maurice Mulcahy Band and Jimmy Wiley’s band both from Mitchelstown. He was delighted to meet Co Cork fans and was all enquiries for the leaders of both bands. Some took a quick look at the room full of memorabilia, photos from the past with all the famous bands. A visit was short but was of great interest. Leaving with stories of the past and discussing the bands, we all had danced to in the Majestic, and Mayflower, we made our way to Enniskillen.
We now touched on Co Cavan and came to Blacklion, the border village. Here we got a view of chef nevin Maguire’s restaurant.