Data being gathered on Mayo's Ogham stones and holy wells

INFORMATION is being gathered on Mayo’s holy wells and its Ogham stones.

A survey of the county’s 160 holy wells is underway, a meeting of Mayo County Council’s heritage committee was told.

The folklore, traditions and cures associated with the wells is being collected, and communities and individuals are engaging with the survey work.

Information is also being collected on Mayo’s Ogham stones - there are eight in the county, heritage officer Deirdre Cunningham explained.

A booklet will be produced on the stones.

Other surveys taking place include one on field names.

The level of engagement with the projects has been ‘fantastic’, said Ms. Cunningham.

Councillor Gerry Coyle commented on the popularity of some of the holy wells, with St. Dearbhla’s well in north Mayo attracting visitors from around the world.

Conservation works at abbeys

Conservation and preservation works are being carried out at four abbey sites in Mayo.

They are Kill Abbey, near Shrule, Kiltane Abbey, outside Bangor Erris, the abbey in Ballyheane, and Kilgeever Abbey in Louisburgh.

The works are aimed at protecting these heritage assets so they can stay open for people to visit them.

On Kill Abbey, Ms. Cunningham explained how some consolidation works and rebuilding of an arch are taking place at the site. The arch had been in danger of collapsing.

This is the second year of works on what is a phased project.

Kill, she said, is a beautiful site but a lot of people don't know it is there. When the works are done the council can promote it as a place to visit.