This is a really good book by Francis Twomey and Tony McGettigan which follows the River Lee from it tiny beginnings above Gougane Barra to the Estuary in Cork. The route of this river is well documented in the book along with a great selection of photographs from source to finish.Excerpts from 'Lovely Flows the Lee'
"On the way to Gougane Barra, the rugged hills
and overhanging trees bear in closer and ever
closer upon the road, until it seems that they will
swallow it up. Then a corner is turned and
suddenly the lake and its garden setting reveal
themselves in the arms of the cliff fringed
mountains. A serenity and joyful uplifting of the
spirit is felt immediately. The experience is like
rummaging through old, treasured souvenirs and
suddenly discovering a splendid jewel".
"The intriguing ruins of a chapel and group of
cells, that one explores today, are those of the
pilgrimage centre built in the late 17th century by
an extraordinary man, Father Denis O Mahony, a
Carmelite priest, who lived as a devout,
contemplative recluse at this spot for 28 years. He
is buried in a low, arched recess or alcove, made of
rough stone, a short distance from the entrance to
the island. The recess is built into the side of the
hill on which the local graveyard is situated. Its
opening looks out upon his beloved place of
seclusion. The Latin inscription on the grave is
dated 1700. The cells were restored in the early
20th century."
Tony McGettigan
