Now, this place is very small, with limestone outcroppings and the cold, cold water coming from the well. As it is not built up, the entire ambiance is one of prayer and peace. Gypsies place ribbons and other pieces of cloth on the trees for favors in prayer. This custom pre-dates Christianity, and goes back to the Romans, at least. I blessed myself with the water, and felt like this was the "real Ireland". May St. Ciaran bless this country with many more saints.
In addition, for those who cannot get to Dublin, to Trinity College Library, there is a facsimile of the Book of Kells in Kells itself. This stunning book is open to two pages, which one may study for hours and not absorbed all the symbolism. The artwork is stunning and, indeed, proves this book to be one of the treasures of the world.
The fact that the original was saved from the violent Vikings is a large miracle in and of itself. I saw the page of the earliest Western depiction of the Virgin and Child, created before 800 A.D. Here is the wiki link. And, thanks to wiki for the picture here. Perhaps, I am reading too much into it, but Jesus has bright red Celtic hair, and Mary, the Theotokos, has a strong, maternal Irish face. The facsimile communicated the glory of the artists.
