School: Clochar na Trócaire, Maghcromtha (roll number 10047)

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1. Saint Gobnait of Ballyvourney (continued)

   

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   which the girl, when alone one day, was divinely admonished to flee the company of her wicked parent and prepare herself for a nobler life.

   Later she was directed in a vision to travel over the hills of Muskerry until a spot was reached where nine white deer lay asleep, and there to erect her cell. It was at Ballyvourney she passed the remainder of her life.

   Whether this picturesque account of Gobnaits early career contains even the germ of truth, it is impossible now to say, but we know that when St. Abban of Slievemargy made a tour of west Muskerry, he met Gobnait at Ballyvourney. Forming a high opinion of her virtues and good sense he assisted her to found a nunnery there, over which he had her placed as abbess. The association of Abban and Gobnait is borne out in a curious tradition still related by the people of Ballyvourney.

   They tell how, on one occasion, a member of Gobnait's community fell ill of a fever. At the same time and place occurred the death of St. Abban and those living in the vicinity of the convent having foregathered to "caoine" the passing of the man of God. St. Gobnait dropped on her knees and prayed that their weird lamentations might not reach the ears of the sick nun in her cell inside. Her prayer was granted, and, according to the popular belief, a person

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Cautie Murphy

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Glasheen, Co. Cork