The Source
This painting was commissioned by the Lucey family, owners of the Gougane Barra Hotel. They wanted a "view of Gougane Barra from heaven." The tiny Gougane Barra lake is the source of the Cork's sacred River Lee, as well as a source of spiritual fulfillment for a thousand years of pilgrims. I decided to call it, "The Source."
Gougane Barra sits nestled in a magical—and
spiritual—valley in the mountains west of Cork. The site of St.
Finbarr's sixth-century monestery, the lake is the source of the sacred
River Lee. Finbarr (nicknamed St. Barry, thank you very much) founded
the city of Cork in the marshland where the Lee empties into the
Atlantic. St. Finbarr's Oratory, a beautiful chapel sits on the stony
"island" in Gougane Barra lake as do the ruins of a stone structure
housing the Stations of the Cross and several monk's cells built into
the stone walls.
A short walk from the Oratory brings you to the magical Gourgane Barra National Forest. I've already done a painting of that!
Whenever we go to Ireland we always begin or end (or both) our trip with time there, basking in the spectacular scenery, and the warm welcome we find at the Gougane Barra Hotel.
Whenever we go to Ireland we always begin or end (or both) our trip with time there, basking in the spectacular scenery, and the warm welcome we find at the Gougane Barra Hotel.
