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While the official Finn Valley website and our Parish
of Kilteevogue section has exceeded all our expectations
in relation to overseas visitors, we would just like to
give a mention to Fr Michael McKeever and the Parishioners
of Gartan & Termon (Birthplace of St Colmcille)
and to congratulate them on their own excellent website
- http://www.gartantermon.net/.
Situated in North Donegal and right on the doorstep of
Glenveigh National Park, this beautiful part of the
county has a small but very active community and visitors
can be assured of a great Irish welcome. The entire area
is steeped in history and tradition, for it is here in Gartan
that the exact site of the saint's birthplace is to be found
(Ráth Cnó - The Fort of the Nuts).
It has been pinpointed at the site of the old ruined church
in the townland of Churchtown, high above Lough
Akibbin. Here too is to be found the renowned Gartan
Clay which, among other properties, is said to banish
vermin.
On the south-east edge of Gartan Lake (in the townland
of Ballymaquin) can be found St Colmcille's Well
and at the north-east of Gartan Lake (in the townland of
Glebe) are Colmcille's Stepping Stones.
Inside the Glenveagh Estate, there is a flagstone called
Leach na Cumha (The Flagstone of Loneliness), which
gives its name to the townland of Lacknacoo. Tradition
tells us that here the saint cured a man of his grief and
bestowed on this flagstone the cure of sorrows, so that
many an emigrant since has lain on it for the traditional
cure of homesickness. Unfortunately, this flagstone has
been confused with the so-called Natal Stone of St
Columba's birthplace - the stone that is still there inside
the old church in Churchtown, marking the spot where he
was born. This error is perpetuated by the fine, high Celtic
Cross at Lacknacoo, erected in all sincerity by Mrs Adare
(wife of John George Adare, former owner of Glenveagh
Estate) to commemorate what she believed to be the saint's
birthplace.
After St Columba's birth on Dec 7th, 521ad, he was
baptised at Templedouglas in what must have been
one of the very first churches in Donegal. A mile or so
north of the old church at Templedouglas (in the townland
of Drumcavany) can be found the reputed footprints
of Columcille, set into stone.
A visit to http://www.gartantermon.net/
is well worthwhile, if only to lend your support to the
major building work going on at the moment. In Fr Michael's
own words:
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We are in the process of preparing to build a new
Church for our Parish Community. The Church we have
is in a state of disrepair. Unfortunately it is now
beyond repair and it needs to be replaced by a new
Church. We hope that this will become a reality very
soon. This work is necessary as the community here
wants a new Church in order to Celebrate the Sacraments
and to have a focus point. Any help that you can or
could give would be gratefully accepted. If you are
from the area and are living abroad we would be delighted
to hear from you.
This is an appeal for your help.
May God and St. Colmcille bless and protect you.
http://www.gartantermon.net/Church.html
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