St Doulagh The Hermit

When you hear the rung of the bell, most of the time its the call for a prayer. For 3 times a day at a 6 hour interval it rings. But today, many don't notice it, except for some religious folks you see on the bus or walkway, some will do the gesture of respect. Now, we going to take you back to the 6th century where the practice of anchorite does exist in Ireland. Historian describe they are individually seclude themselves in caves or chambers. Here in Ireland few kilometres from Dublin city, there is an old church dated back 12th century where a Saint live.

Let me give you a guided tour into the world of Hermits, see the picture of the left a plaque, that's is Rev Richard  Meade Swift, first cousin of Johnathan Swift, the book you probably read when you were just a boy 'Gullivers Travel'. He is buried right here in the graveyard beside the church. Walk straight into the altar turn right, you will will be transported back to the past where most monks lived and pray during the early 12th century.

As you enter, we are facing the altar and beside there is a fireplace, note the stones are pretty small as to compare with the later version of  churches or monasteries. If you look carefully, the design is about the same as Mellifont, Monasterboice and St Kevin in Glendalough. Under need the floor which is covered with Liscannor flag stone lies many skeletons exhume from the graveyard. Its not really a big church from inside. But from outside it seems like a castle or fortress. Probably the walls are very thick. You see gallant in this old church. There are no tainted glass, no huge murals or richness of a church. I guess its the way of the Hermits. Chairs, Windows, Lectern and everything is slightly smaller than average size. Probably its a way of life during that time, however these are all replicas. Its very simple church, and pretty eerie too.

On the right side of the altar, you see a hole. Interesting isn't it? Why? It was during the medieval time, there are lots of Lepers in Ireland, they are not allow to enter the church for prevent the disease to be spread to others. That's where Leopardstown name came from. Most of are damn. But the church don't. The little hole there is for receiving their sacrament.

 At the back of the hall, a strange hole. The hall is actually not big, didn't measure but I guess its about 18"x10", we still in ground floor. This hole suppose to have super healing power. It was said to cure many illness with regards to headache. So I pop my head in and kiss the black stone, like what I did in Blarney Castle. I got a tumor remove years ago, but the headache still lingers in my head. Strange but it works for me till now as I write. Will see  what happen for the next few days.

After what I did, David our guide told me its the tomb of St Doulagh, I am kissing the side of the stone tomb.

Going up was scary, I wonder why the steps are so narrow and small, probably those days the people are either small or very skinny due to less food or maybe it was design to keep the invaders with armor suit from going up. The steps are uneven, and it seem all the stones are well polish through centuries of walking up and down. Piece of advice, its not an easy climb. If you overweight or have babies its not advisable to do it. There are three stories flight of stairs up and going down in different direction. Its like a maze inside, although its small but the interior are made in such a way that makes you feel lost inside without a guide.

 Here suppose to be the bedroom of St Doulagh, there are no beds, it was believe they sleep on hays, its quite cold in here. Stop complaining about your bed now.

See something odd about this seat. Its not round neither its straight forward. Suppose to be the seat for the Abbot of this church, slightly angle to a small window to the left. It give a view directly to the Well, where the Abbot can see the happenings going on down there. The Well is pretty small with 2' of water during that time and overflow to a kind of a bath where they do the baptism. I guess they must have lots of baptism going on during those days. Now the water have run dry, its a ruins.

 

Imagine how small and steep the spiral stairs are, not easy to hold a camera and the other hand to catch my little boy in case he falls. Its design in such a way which is not good for left handler. Its build clockwise from bottom, so the right handler wants to invade by climbing up, he will in for a big surprise, the monks from the top can defeat him from the right. Pretty complicate isn't it. Experience it yourself.
They don't open for public on normal days except Sunday from 3pm to 5pm. for visitation. NO charge but some contribution are appreciated.

This is called the 'Murder Hole', and from the top if anyone dares to fight the way in, they will be splashed with hot oil or arrows. I thought most religious people are calm and kind. But they have no choice, they need to stop intruders or invaders. I bet they are probably rich and powerful those days, maybe not the hermit or monks but the Abbot. It is so strong that this building still survives till today probably due to the design.

Its not a steps, this lead you to nowhere, but under here lies the infamous St Doulagh, the opposite side is where my head was shove in to received cures from his grave. There are no evidence of his body lies in there as excavation of this part are prohibited. If a stories lasted so long and historians can provide so much details, there is no reason for me not to believe. Rox felt some presents in here, maybe she is psychic.

When you travel back in time, you learn a lot from  the old ruins, churches, breweries, monasteries and others. From the frontage, you won't see much history except an old church. As you get in deeper into the history, you will be amaze of what have taken place long before we arrived into this world.

If you travel to Malahide castle, you won't notice this strange building on the road side. Its a well which I have mention earlier. Just beside the St Doulagh Church. At medieval time, the water plate are pure and  and this particular well comes from nature, the over flow of the water lead to the next picture.

Strange right? This suppose to be full immersion Baptism. Now imagine you are there to be baptized during the 12th century. I think those days to convert Pagans to Catholic is very hard and if they want to do it, They will do it in Glory.

Front and back of the tree. This is called the 'Thorn Tree'. Trust me the locals here still believe in superstition just like most Eastern people. They never cut down any trees for a good reason and if the can prevent it, they rather  avoid every way. Here you see the a wall have to be reconstruct around the tree.

And in the old map you see 'Catherine's Well' beside here.

If you want to know what was the place you living in right now, you can go to osi.ie

Try decoding this, click the above picture to find out more.

Imagine you were sitting there during the 18th century.