Graves, Wells & Statues: Exploring the heritage and culture of pilgrimage in medieval and modern Cork

This book, co-written with Dr Louise Nugent – who blogs at Pilgrimage in Medieval Ireland, explores the often underappreciated story of pilgrimage in Cork city, from medieval to modern times. It was a research project funded by Cork City Council’s Heritage Publication Grant Scheme 2015, which enabled us to do a survey of pilgrimage locations in Cork and to produce a monograph on the topic.

By examining former sites of pilgrimage, such as St Francis’s Well on the North Mall and Lady’s Well off Leitrim Street, and current sites, including St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Nano Nagle’s Grave, and Our Lady of Graces in St Mary’s Pope’s Quay, this book sheds light on the important role of pilgrimage in the social, cultural, and religious life of Cork. It offers a distinct approach to the heritage of the city through an examination of the themes of pilgrimage and sacred sites that draws together different features of the urban landscape, and also provides context and discussion of their historical and contemporary significance.

The book is available in several Cork bookshops, including Liam Ruiséal and St FinBarre’s Cathedral shop; also, it can be baought in printed and kindle versions at amazon.co.uk

This publication has been funded by Cork City Council’s Heritage Publication Grant Scheme 2015. Thanks to Niamh Twomey and all the staff in the Heritage section of Cork City Council for their advice.