North Atlantic Skyline - - Photographs from the west of Ireland (Galway, Mayo, Clare, Limerick, Roscommon and even Leitrim)

St Augustine's Cross

For most commuters, there are two ways of crossing Galway City - either inch your way across the Quincentennial Bridge or advance at a similarly slow pace down the road by Lough Atalia, through the Docks and on to Wolfe Tone Bridge. Lough Atalia is practically enclosed by development nowadays, but the channel under the rail bridge allows the saltwater lake to be refreshed twice a day. And the ebb and flow of the tide also unveils a white cross at the waters edge twice a day, and then reveals it again.

St Augustine's Well probably takes it's name from a nearby fortress that disappeared more than four centuries ago (and where Forthill cemetery is now located). The well (the lime-washed circular structure to the left of the cross in the picture above) has been associated with healing powers for years, and was restored by The Galway Civic Trust . The Trust has been especially busy during this last week (Heritage Week) but their work continues year round. And they are always looking for new members.

lough, st, augustine, tidal, ireland, galway, irishblogs, photoblogs, photography, galwayblogs, monasette, north atlantic skyline, atalia,john smyth, Canon, 5D, september, 2007