St Beriherts Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Size: 
(small)
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We would ask you to respect this Holy Well and Kyle, use the planked pathways & stiles provided and close any gates that you may use. While dogs may visit, recommend that they are on leads & not allowed into the water of the Holy Well.
From the Parking area its about a 1km stroll, proceed first to St Beriherts Kyle using the WW waypoint co-ordinates by using the bohereen, stile and path and then onto the final location co-ordinates near the Well by using the additional stiles, foot bridges and paths. Note the horses in the first field are inquisitive but friendly and unless the weather is very dry, we recommend wellies rather then boots and its definitely not suitable for Sunday shoes, Runners, buggies or strollers.
Saint Berihert is believed to be from Northumbria, England and his Feastday is on the 18th February. The well and kyle (cill) in Ardane has been visited traditionally for the nine days following the feastday. The Office of Public Works cleared the enclosure in 1946 and collected together some seventy stones around the kyle. Pilgrims to the site traditionally recited the rosary, and followed the track five (sometimes three) times returning to the altar to tie a cloth to the holly-tree. In former times this was torn from the clothing, rather than brought for the purpose.
The well in the field to the east of the kyle by about 400metres is Saint Berrihert's Well. At the well, a pebble from the outflow stream was thrown in the sandy-bottomed well and then retrieved with a shovel left there for the purpose. Plains, sores and injuries are blessed with the water and the protection of the Saint invoked. Where pious tradition had it that the water of the well could not be made to boil, people in our time might be more inclined to put this to the test than enter into the local devotion once so strong and meaningful to our ancestors!
The Roman-minded church of the last century has replaced the name Berrihert with Bernard, noticeable as a first name common to this area. An invocation used locally on the occasion of any burn or scald was, "Bernard, neighbour, save the skin." This arose from ‘Beircheart Naoimhe'.
Bring a ribbon, cloth or something to tie to the trees of either the Kyle or Well and enjoy the peace, tranquility, bubble 'show' and be sure to taste the water itself using the glass or mugs left there for that purpose.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
'Nygne' lbhe ivrj gb gur evtug nsgre gur vaare oevqtr.....