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Skeaghvreedy Bush

Ritual site, holy tree/bush

What is recorded here

Skeaghvreedy Bush marks a holy Clare landscape where pilgrims still gathered on Brigid’s day within living memory. The flat-topped whitethorn cluster stands on a steep sea-facing slope, shaped by wind and repeated visitation rather than ornament. Its name has changed across maps, yet the place keeps doing what ritual places do: holding people back to themselves.
On a moderately steep SW-facing slope of good pastureland, on the seaward side of the N67. Indicated and named ‘Skeaghvreedy Bush’ on the 1842 and 1915 eds. of the OS 6-inch maps and named ‘St. Brigid’s Bush’ on Robinson’s map (1977). Listed as 'Holy bush (possible)’ in the RMP (1996). A cluster of three or four windswept and flat-topped whitethorn bushes. According to Houlihan (2016, 43–4), pilgrims still gathered here on Brigid’s day within living memory, but the tradition has now stopped. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 15 December 2020
Linked to St. Brigid, the site is traditionally associated with healing and fertility, as many wells and bushes dedicated to her are believed to have curative properties, particularly for women’s ailments and livestock. The name "Skeaghvreedy" may derive from a local pronunciation of "Cill Dheirdre" or similar, reflecting early Christian settlement and devotion in the area.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.

What survives
Recorded monument

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