Faughart in north Louth is the birthplace of St Brigid, one of Ireland's
patron saints, and has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. My
ancestors would have come here to pray and some of them are
buried in the nearby graveyard.
According to legend, St Brigid tore out her eye to disfigure herself
so that she wouldn't be forced to marry. A stone, supposedly
bearing the indentation of her eye is one of 'The Stations' along
side a stream where pilgrims pray.
Many older pagan traditions have been blended with Christianity
in Ireland. People leave offerings, statues, holy pictures, rosary
beads, jewellery, pieces of clothing, and rags tied to branches
near the holy well.