GALLERY: St. Moling celebrated in special mass at ancient Kilkenny site

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The annual open-air pattern mass in celebration of St. Moling was held at the site of St. Moling's Well and Tree last Sunday in Mullinakill, Tullogher. 

The site contains a statue of St. Moling, a holy tree, and a well which is said to be the site of his baptism. It lies in a steep side of a valley overlooking the River Arrigle. It is an area of natural and stunning beauty; remote, but that is part of its rare beauty. Driving past the well, you can see the back of the saint’s head peeping over an iron bar railing.

A great deal of work has been carried out by the local voluntary and community-based St. Moling's Well committee, which includes a new walkway and railings. The amphitheatre-type setting boasts well-trimmed grass, running water, a beautiful seat and benches made from the cuttings of an old elm tree, and a new sign, carved from a large boulder taken from the hill ground above the area. The boulder was given by a local landowner to the organising committee. A stonemason from the area, Mr Donnelly, impressively inscribed its surface with the name and a cross. 

Little is known of St. Moling’s early life, but he was thought to have been of noble birth, as Fr Liam Barron explained in his address to a big gathering. Fr Barron also said that St. Moling stayed in Mullinakill, coming under the influence of St. Brendan. 

St. Moling is believed to have spent the early period of his conversion in a rather austere Celtic manner by living for some time in a cave above this site on the far side of the road. Through this cave, one can trek through the He also spent some time gaining an education in or near Glendalough. the cave across the road from the well, one can trek through two large fields to the top of the hill.

St. Moling built a small seventh century church in Mullinakill, but his main achievement was the construction of St. Mullins monastery in Carlow. He is also attributed with making a copy of the Gospels. The impressive metalwork shrine which once held St. Moling’s Gospels can be seen in the Kildare Street section of the Dublin Museum. 

At the conclusion of the mass, Fr Barron thanked the members of the committee who care for the well, shrine and grounds. Fr Barron expressed his belief that former member Jimmy Bookle, who was prayed for on his anniversary last Sunday, would have been proud of how the committee have tended to this very historical and sacred site. The committee includes members of the late Mr. Bookle's family.

After the mass, light refreshments were served to all present amidst beautiful sunshine.