Turas Flainn. Near Sróin Bhroinn, Brandon Point, Taobh a’ Chnoic,
Site: Holy Well. Around since the time of St Brendan, nothing known of himself.
Location: monastic site is approximately 100 metres before Brendan O’Rourke’s house Eircode V92D827 on the right-hand side of the road, where there is a small space to step in off the road.
Time: Nearest Sunday to June 29, Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Time needed about one hour and an umbrella as weather unpredictable. It’s an annual event.
Older parishioners remember going there with their elders on the 29th of June, praying the rosary as they walked around a cluster of stones in the field which are visible from the top gate known as “Lochtáin” which once housed St Flann and his monks, throwing a coin or a pebble as the custom was at such sites, then going down the rocky shoreline to drink from the well, reciting a verse to invoke the healing power of the saint.:”Go mbeannaíthear na naoimh is na haingil go léir duit; is chughat a thána ag insint mo scéil duit, is ag lorg leighis I gcuntas Dé ort.”
I would like to explain the reason for the distance from the monastic remains to the well. It is said an old woman once washed dirty wool -possibly a fleece – in the water, as a result the well moved downhill overnight to its present site at Leac Flainn. It can be found now in a sloping rock with Brandon Bay at its base.
At 2 o clock the group will gather at Brandon quay and having sung St Patricks hymn “Críost liom” and heard a prayer “ag cur chun bóthair” (a prayer of blessings on pilgrims), then set out on the narrow road about a mile (1.60934km) that leads up to Taobh a’ Chnoic. We have a booklet made out setting out our route and prayers to be said at 5 different points along the way. We say the rosary too and the chaplet of mercy.
Nowadays it’s not safe to go down to the well due to erosion of the site, but Brendan O Rouke the local farmer gets the well water for us. We distribute the well water which is known for its general healing powers. We finish with a hymn “Réir Dé” and “Hail queen of Heaven”.
Reference book: The parish of Cloghane. The Centenary of St Brendan’s church. 2005, pages 51-52, printed by Leinster Leader Ltd.
https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2019/08/11/tobar-flainn-on-the-edge-of-the-world/. For more extensive information.