St. Berrihert's Kyle, Religious monument in Bansha, Ireland
St. Berrihert's Kyle is a religious enclosure in Bansha that holds 72 stone slabs, fragments of a bullaun stone, four wheel crosses, and various carved stones. A protective stone wall built in 1946 surrounds these ancient monuments, allowing visitors to view the collection clearly.
Saint Berrihert, an Anglo-Saxon holy man, founded this religious center after the Synod of Whitby in 664, establishing a place of Christian worship. This founding moment shaped the religious character of the region for centuries to come.
The carved stones display early Christian imagery with biblical scenes, showing how Anglo-Saxon and Irish religious traditions merged at this site. Visitors can observe how these different influences shaped what people built and left behind here.
The site is open to walk through at your own pace, with the ancient monuments clearly arranged within the protective enclosure for easy viewing. Wear sturdy shoes and watch your footing, especially if weather has made the stone surfaces slippery.
A nearby holy well was traditionally used by local people to treat scalds and burns with its waters. This natural healing site held significance in the folk beliefs of the community and remains part of the place's spiritual heritage.
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