In the Connemara region of Ireland, there is a remote site nestled in the Maumturk Mountains. It’s accessible only by foot, as it has been for thousands of years. Students studying at Kylemore ventured there on a pilgrimage excursion that explored how the ancients engaged with this land. The ultimate destination, Mám Éan, was a site believed to be where St. Patrick stopped to offer his blessing over Connemara.
Gibbons (below, top right) pointed out the fascinating remnants of what was here before: a suspected animal enclosure from the Bronze Age, and a collection of rocks believed to be a graveyard. The site was chosen as a final resting spot because of its perceived proximity to a sacred place.
In addition, Gibbons infused some folklore into the walking lesson. According to Irish legend, the Devil was drowned in the lake pictured below.
The Máméan site was believed to be a Celtic shrine some 2,000 years ago. The early Christian church later claimed it. During the era of the British Penal Laws, Catholics would come here to celebrate Mass in secret to avoid prosecution. The site features a small chapel, an altar, a holy well, a rock known as St. Patrick’s bed, a statue of St. Patrick, and the Stations of the Cross.
© 2026 University of Notre Dame
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)