Ballaun

A riveting talk last night on ballaun stones. A good speakers, lots of interesting photos and some new ideas. Just in case you weren't sure what a ballaun stone is I have kindly nipped down to Maulinward church and blipped this very fine example.  A ballaun is a stone with a  man-made (probably) basin shape in it. The current thinking (you did want to know didn't you?)  is that they became very significant during Penal Times when Catholics were not allowed to worship openly, probably because of their font-like shape. Most of them are now found in or near old churches or holy wells and the speaker believed many of them had been moved from their original positions. He thought they might once have had more mundane uses - for grinding gorse or as door jambs and their original use was forgotten and new spiritual significance given to them later. I'm not entirely convinced about that.  He intends to track down each ballaun in Cork and Kerry.
Anyway, this ballaun has been well used and is in a little niche in a ruined church. It is full of offerings - coins, rosaries, and around it are other odd artefacts - a headless  Infant of Prague, an old cross, a shell, a crucifix and a broken dove. See Lady M - far more thrilling than you suspected!

A beautiful crisp morning, we went for a walk down in Kilcrohane down by the pier. The recent gales had caused landslides by the cliffs and a bit of scrambling was necessary.
Tonight Arthouse resumes - the first film is '71. I'm a bit nervous as it sounds as though it could be challenging but reviews have been excellent. I will report back. Chips and a glass of wine will be taken first.