In the ancient parish of Ardclinis at Garron Point are the ruins of a church and monastery which have been partially buried in undergrowth. The patron of the Dioceses St. MacNissi, was associated with the monastery. About a century ago the McKenna Crozier was found in a window recess and is now in the National Museum in Dublin. A replica crozier is in St. Patrick's and St. Bridgids Church, Glenariff. Round the quaintly-named Dog’s Nose Point, we see that the ancient graveyard and what remains of the monastery of Ardclinis, where it is said a stone once stood which had a marvellous power: no matter how weary the traveller, he had but to sit on that stone for a few minutes, and arise refreshed!
An interesting legend is attached to Ardclinis Monastery. According to this, St Kieran, whose community at Layde (across Red Bay) was threatened with starvation, came to the Abbot and asked his prayers, saying that their corn would not be ready for at least another month. ‘A month? echoed the Abbot, ‘See! Your corn is already ripe!’ And when St Kieran looked over across the Bay – there stood the field of corn, turned to a beautiful golden yellow, all ready for the reapers.
It was at Ardclinis, too, that a crozier, called ‘Bachil McKenna’, was for many years in use by local people as a venerated object utilised in the taking of oaths or in the detection of false statements. Tradition has it that if anyone stole anything from his neighbour, was accused, denied his guilt, and was brought to swear upon the crozier, then if he were really guilty the stolen goods would appear at his feet to compound his perjury. This crosier was taken by a man called Galvin to his home near Glenarm where he used it to hold harness in his stable until someone made him aware of its antiquity and value. Thereafter it occupied an honoured place in his household, and is at present in the National Museum in Dublin. St MacNissius of Connor is said to be buried in Ardclinis.
In the grave yard are at least 2 fairy thorns - In Irish folklore, the Hawthorn is a fairy tree, beloved of the 'good folk', the 'Sidhe'. At Bealtaine, the custom is to impale empty eggshells (fertility, fullness, abundance and a sheltered hiding place for the fairy!) and to tie 'rags' ie. prayer ribbons to the boughs of the tree, in the hope that wishes will be granted. It is a pagan custom still practiced in Christian times, and one will find rosary beads and bottles of holy water alongside 'rags' and shells at May time.
Please close all gates and no dogs as livestock may be in the surrounding fields.
DO NOT TOUCH OPEN OR REMOVE ANYTHING FROM THE FAIRY TREE - THE CACHE IS NOT THERE
There is no pen or pencil in the cache - please bring your own.