Jerpoint—the lost town of St. Nicholas (11/5/2019) part 2

11.5.2019

Dear Family and Friends,

What an exciting day! Most of our group went to visit a wonderful farm at Jerpoint , Kilkenny, Ireland. This site is a working sheep farm where Joe and Maeve O’Connell made us feel right at home with tea and scones, whipped cream and homemade raspberry preserves for lunch then a demonstration of one of his border collies in helping him with his sheep. Look on the Scythian Grand Ireland Castle Tour Facebook page for Maeve’s recipe for super delicious scones!

After TEA we went in our red shoe covers out to the field with one of Joe’s 4 border collies to see a demonstration of the skill of both master and dog in tending sheep.

What an skillful demonstration of Joe giving the border collie a few short commands and to see the dog obey and bring the sheep to the gate for us to pet. Joe was able to have the sheep move from one side of the area to another by giving new commands to the dog. It was interesting to watch as the sheep watched the dog and the dog starred down the sheep so they would obey.

Notice in the right the dog giving his quite visual command to the sheep.

Then on the the lower part of the farm to the secret of the century as Joe found buried in the cemetery of the medieval church the tomb effigy of Saint Nicholas. The church was called through the centuries the Church of Saint Nicholas and it is believed that his remains were removed from the Holy Land to Italy then moved by the crusaders to this spot.

The Church at Thomastown Jerpoint, Ireland

Guess who is coming to town?

From a full day in Ireland, Ellen and Linda and Alex wish you good night

Ellen