Celebrating St John’s Eve at Doonpeter

When the combined forces of O’Neill and O’Donnell, on their way to Kinsale in 1599 burned the Church at Doonpeter to the ground because Lord Barrymore wouldn't assist them, little did they realise how special this site is to the people of Glenville and surrounding areas.

A Papal decree from Rome in the year 1189 mentioned the Church of ' Dunpeter'. That was all of 832 years ago and yet the tradition of making 'rounds' at St John's Well continues still, in spite of dungeon, fire and sword.

On Wednesday night of last week, June 23rd the Eve of St John's Day, in age-old fashion they gathered once more at Doonpeter. Cognisant of the Covid pandemic, the procession of pilgrimage across the fields was socially distanced. Fr Denis Cotter PP along with John Arnold led the walkers.

Conscious of the fact that many people were unable to be present this year, Fr Cotter 'live streamed' the entire proceedings on YouTube. Walking along the ancient pathway and through the fields, one got that sense of 'following the path trod' by many generations of faithful down the centuries. Fr. Cotter and John spoke of the lore, the history - good times and bad - as they went along.

At the Blessed enclosure, Fr Cotter led the congregation in prayer. At the statue of St Patrick a prayer for Ireland was said. At the Cillíneach Cross, all buried in the cemetery and all the famine victims buried here were remembered. Special prayers were offered for all the babies buried in this holy ground down the years. At the well of St John, the Apostle's Creed was recited. Fr Cotter then moved on to the five stones and the five decades of the Rosary were prayed.

Local historian Norma Buckley and John Arnold spoke about the well, the cemetery and the importance of keeping the traditions of St John's Eve alive into the future. Then, all present drank the blessed water from the Holy Well.

Great credit is due to the local, energetic committee who ensured that everything was in perfect order. May St John and St Peter bless all who attended - a special ceremony on a special night.

(Pic: Kevin Egan) Some of those who made the journey to Glenville last week, on St John’s Eve. Included are Cork County Council Heritage officer, Conor Neligan and Cllr Kay Dawson.

(Pic: Kevin Egan) Mary Sweeney; Bernard, Norma and Patrick Buckley; Denis O’Mahony; Frances, Eamonn, Mick and Jer Sweeney, who made the journey to St John’s Well last week in Glenville. (Pic: Kevin Egan).

(Pic: Kevin Fr Denis Cotter PP addressing the congregation at St John’s Holy Well last week in Doonpeter.