The long-standing tradition of mass at St Molings Well, Mullinakill, Tullogher took place last week around the hidden gem in south Kilkenny.
The tranquil site that rewards visitors with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and remoteness makes it an ideal place to visit for those seeking a quiet place to pray or to simply sit and reflect, surrounded by the sounds of nature.
The mass saw the continuation of the ancient tradition where countless generations of people from south Kilkenny come to honour St Moling. The annual pattern mass is a yearly social event and the sun shone brightly to match the occasion.
St Moling was born in the year 614 AD in the Sliabh Luachra region of Kerry. The young Moling left Kerry to become a pupil of Maedóg (St Aidan) in Ferns, Wexford, and is also said to have spent time in the monastery founded by St Kevin in Glendalough, Wicklow.
Here he embraced the monastic life of prayer and solitude. Having completed his studies, he left to seek out a place where he could live a solitary life. The place he initially chose was close to Listerlin in Kilkenny in the Rosbercon parish.
He then moved to the Coolnahaw and Mullinakill area of the parish living as a hermit in a cave and using the well that now bears his name. The extraordinary 7th century saint went on to achieve much more in life, like becoming the Bishop of Ferns.
1. Ministers of the Eucharist
Maureen Fitzpatrick and Catherine Murray with Pat Bookle, chair of the local committee that maintain the site
2. Local man Larry Doyle
A man of letters with a grasp of the affairs of the country and beyond, a regular here like many more
3. Pat Dempsey, Tinlough, and family members
Pat's late mother, a member of the Mackey family was born here in this area
4. People gathering
The pattern of Saint Moling