The Clover and the Bulaun

If you have ever been to Clonakilty you would know that it is the shimmering epitome of a bustling and vibrant West Cork town. With its myriad of colourful and niche shops, plenty of lively music, and friendly smiling folks at every turn. The community of Clonakilty has to be the most sparkling feature of this place, and almost everyone you pass seems to have a smile on their face. I know I do. If you take the time to enjoy a stroll or drive around the surrounding area there are plenty of hidden gems and historical treasures to uncover as well.

Those that live in Clonakilty are all well familiar with the Templebryan stone circle that stands guard the entrance of the northernly village of Shannonvale. Unfortunately due to its close proximity to the road and lack of accessibility, it’s regarded as more of a kitsch landmark than what it really is; a grand, ancient and sacred druidic monument. It was around a year that I’d already lived in Clonakilty that a friend of mine mentioned the lesser known circle that resides on the same land around a kilometer uphill from the road. The name Templebryan is said to have originated when the Knights Templar came to Ireland and inhabited this place. The stone circle near the road was supposedly a place of rituals, cremations and sun worship, but the circle beyond that remains a complete mystery. Only the druids could tell us now.

One day on one of my walks I decided to explore this fabled place. I found it concealed in brambles and it took a bit of skill to reach it, but thankfully the landowner whose land it dwells on has been known to graciously allow people to clamber over their wall to visit the stones. Surrounded by a circle of moss-covered rocks, the monument stood tall against the sky, a cylindrical stone towered above and beneath it was a small concave bullaun stone filled with water. Bullaun literally means “bowl” in Irish and were once used as vessels for holy waters as well as basins for offerings to the gods. Some believe that the waters in the stone still maintain properties as a magical elixir.

I sat there for a while on the plush grasses, and absorbed the light of the sunset as it eclipsed the rock. I took a drop of the bullaun water on my finger and placed it on my forehead, as per tradition. As I was leaving, I looked down and saw swaths of plush clovers. Never in my life had I found a four leafed one before, even after some days combing through them for hours… but something in me told me this would be the day. Low and behold, I only had to take one more glance before I came upon the beautiful sight of this four leafed friend. I plucked it and held it against the sun. When I got home I put it in between the pages of a book that I’ve been using to write parables and inspirational quotes. This may just be the most inspirational quote of all, written by mother nature herself.

Could it be that the waters there do still hold blessed qualities? What if what we believe to be luck is actually something much greater, much deeper, a river guiding us towards our most magical destinies?