What is recorded here

St Molaga's Bed occupies the south wall of an early medieval church in County Cork, where a sandstone slab tilts upward on small stones to create a narrow chamber beneath. Pilgrims with rheumatism crept under the warm rock, trusting that direct contact with the saint's tomb would ease their joints. The spiral carved at the western end still marks the entry point of that strange, intimate transaction between human flesh and holy stone.

Within an early medieval church (CO010-003004-), midway along the S wall. This sandstone slab (1.22m E-W; 0.54m N-S; T 0.15m) is propped up on small stones (H c. 0.15m) at the W end, and level with the gravel floor at the E end. The top of the slab, at the W end, is inscribed with a spiral (diam. 12cm) with two parallel lines (L 0.34m) extending E from the spiral down the length of the slab, narrowing slightly and possibly joined at the end. Described by Windele (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 1, 17) as 'a kind of 'kist' consisting of a large flagstone resting on low side stones, and leaving an open space beneath...wide enough to permit a person to stretch on the ground in immediate contact with the flag stone above...Pilgrims affected with rheumatism and other complaints creep in under this stone and derive wonderful benefit from the act'. It is known as 'St Molaga's Bed', the covering stone of the Saint's Tomb. Windele (ibid.) also recorded a stone cross (CO010-003006-) resting on this slab. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. This is a National Monument in State Ownership (no. 18) Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Reference: 1. Grove White J. 1905-25 Historical and Topographical Notes, Etc., on Buttevant, Castletownroche, Doneraile, Mallow, and Places in Their Vicinity. Collected by Colonel J.G. White. [With Illustrations.]. 4 volumes. Cork. Guy&Co. Images provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/

St Molagas is a lesser-known early Irish saint, traditionally associated with healing and local monastic foundations. The term "bed" may indicate a stone seat or resting place within a church, possibly linked to devotional practices or pilgrimages connected to the saint.

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