Templemichael-from the past in Ireland

We had gone down a wonderfully beautiful road that day, through a forest toward the church at the end of the road. It was as though we were far away from civilization and the noise that goes with it. We found the area of Templemichael and Molana Abbey, the ruins, and walked down the lovely road through the trees, ferns, and greeen plants. What a fine place! The river was at the end of the road and one could see the monumental Ballynatray Estate across the river, standing out as though the ruler of the land should be living there. Our Grandsons ran down the hill toward the river and we followed them. What a spectacular and peaceful place.

Templemichael

What should we think,

When we see your ancient stones?

Was this the past that we so wantingly

Desire to learn something of?

Are you another chapter of this

Time eon called Life that we all

Experience?

You are truly a peaceful place in our lives.

When did monks inhabit your holy places

And carry on their dedicated lives?

What did they do, here on the banks of

The Blackwater River?

Our minds run wild as the river

In our wonder of you!

----B.Townsend, one who has been there.

Temple Michael is an ancient site, located on the banks of the River Blackwater, near where it empties into the sea at Youghal. One has a definite sense of history when you visit the beautiful site of the monastery and church. We again visited that wonderfully area of quiet and solitude in April, 2004.