The boatmen describes the "wine" of Purgatory
Dublin Core
Title
The boatmen describes the "wine" of Purgatory
Subject
Lough Derg--Vicinity--Purgatory--Travel guide
Description
An account of the religious history of Lough Derg for the traveller.
Creator
J. B. Doyle
Source
Tours in Ulster: A hand-book to the antiquities and scenery of the north of Ireland.
By J. B. Doyle. With numerous illustrations, chiefly from the author's sketch-book, pp. 364-66
By J. B. Doyle. With numerous illustrations, chiefly from the author's sketch-book, pp. 364-66
Publisher
Hodges and Smith, Dublin
Date
1854
Contributor
Digitised by Google, sponsored by New York Public Library, archived on Hathi Trust digital library
Rights
Public domain
Format
Handbook
Language
English
Type
Travel guide
Identifier
DD_0484
Coverage
54.609244,-7.871791
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
“Wearied with such details, I said,
‘Well, C , what next; is all over now?’
‘Why yes, your honour, except the wine.’ ‘The wine I what do you mean ?’ ‘I mean wine, your honour ; sure the poor creathurs get the wine to drink afther they come out of purgatory.’ ‘Well, said I, ‘that is very kind; who gives it to them?’ ‘The Prior; they get a pint for a halfpenny, your honour.’ ‘Indeed ! that is liberal ; but where can they get so much wine as to supply such multitudes?’ ‘Oh, sir, there's no stint; sure this is the greatest miracle of all, sir ; it is the water of the lake that they get blessed and heated ; come here, and I'll show you how it is made.’ Upon walking a few paces forward, he pointed out a large boiler, adding, ‘You needn't laugh, sir, for I've seen men who could scarcely stand upright, after they had taken the “wine” grow quite strong and hearty ; although some of them had not taken more than three meals in nine days, all at once they grew as strong as if they had taken their meat constant.’
I make no comments. They are taught to believe that the stimulating effect of warm water upon their empty stomachs is miraculous. Their penances being over, their friends meet them in the boats with refreshments and spirits, and too frequently a heavy score of sins is run up before the pilgrims have lost sight of the Lough.
While making a sketch from the Friars' Island a heavy shower came on, after which I partook of some refreshment, and pitying the boatman and guide who had got such a wetting on my account, I made three parts of the contents of my flask of black currant cordial.
As we rowed back to the mainland, C questioned me as to where it was to be bought, and upon being in- formed that it came from Dublin, he said, ‘I was thinking so much, for the likes of it is not in these parts.’ After a long and thoughtful pause he said, I wouldn't say, sir, but it would be good for a man's salvation !’ ‘Well, C , except to save him from taking cold, I fear it would have no other efficacy.’ ‘I don't know, sir, but sure what's so good for the body must do some good to the poor soul.’”
‘Well, C , what next; is all over now?’
‘Why yes, your honour, except the wine.’ ‘The wine I what do you mean ?’ ‘I mean wine, your honour ; sure the poor creathurs get the wine to drink afther they come out of purgatory.’ ‘Well, said I, ‘that is very kind; who gives it to them?’ ‘The Prior; they get a pint for a halfpenny, your honour.’ ‘Indeed ! that is liberal ; but where can they get so much wine as to supply such multitudes?’ ‘Oh, sir, there's no stint; sure this is the greatest miracle of all, sir ; it is the water of the lake that they get blessed and heated ; come here, and I'll show you how it is made.’ Upon walking a few paces forward, he pointed out a large boiler, adding, ‘You needn't laugh, sir, for I've seen men who could scarcely stand upright, after they had taken the “wine” grow quite strong and hearty ; although some of them had not taken more than three meals in nine days, all at once they grew as strong as if they had taken their meat constant.’
I make no comments. They are taught to believe that the stimulating effect of warm water upon their empty stomachs is miraculous. Their penances being over, their friends meet them in the boats with refreshments and spirits, and too frequently a heavy score of sins is run up before the pilgrims have lost sight of the Lough.
While making a sketch from the Friars' Island a heavy shower came on, after which I partook of some refreshment, and pitying the boatman and guide who had got such a wetting on my account, I made three parts of the contents of my flask of black currant cordial.
As we rowed back to the mainland, C questioned me as to where it was to be bought, and upon being in- formed that it came from Dublin, he said, ‘I was thinking so much, for the likes of it is not in these parts.’ After a long and thoughtful pause he said, I wouldn't say, sir, but it would be good for a man's salvation !’ ‘Well, C , except to save him from taking cold, I fear it would have no other efficacy.’ ‘I don't know, sir, but sure what's so good for the body must do some good to the poor soul.’”
Original Format
396 p. illus. 17 cm.
Citation
J. B. Doyle, “The boatmen describes the "wine" of Purgatory,” Digital Derg: A Deep Map, accessed April 19, 2024, https://digitalderg.eu/items/show/505.