Chapter 7: Cunga Fheichín (Cong)

• Cong Village
  
• Annals of Cong
  
• Cong Abbey
  
• Cross of Cong
  
• Black Bell of Saint Patrick
  
• Monuments
  
• Caves
  

The fourth and last relique connected with this locality was the Black Bell of St. Patrick, which the author procured many years ago for the Academy, and of which an illustration is given overleaf. It had long been in the possession of the Gerarty family, near Ballinrobe, who brought it every year to the "pattern" held on the top of the Reek or Cruach Phádraic, on "Garland Sunday," and where, in the little oratory there, the pious pilgrim was allowed to kiss it for a penny; and, if he had been affected by "rheumatism pains," he might put it three times round his body for two pence. But times got bad, the pattern thinned, and the Maor or keeper of the Clog dubh sold it, to help to pay his passage to America. Certainly, if wear and tear is a sign of age, this antique should claim our highest veneration. It is 11 inches high, and 6 wide, and is formed, like most of our ancient Irish bells, of iron intermixed with other metals. It formerly belonged to the parish of Killower, near Headford, where, on one of the ancient descriptions of the hereditary property of the O'Flahertys and their dependants, it is said that "Mac Beolan, of Killower, is the keeper of the black bell of St. Patrick". It was believed in the locality that this bell was a present from an angel to the saint, and was originally of pure silver, but that it was rendered black and corroded, as at present seen, "by its contact with the demons on Croaghpatrick, when the Apostle of Ireland was expelling them thence." See O'Flaherty's West Connacht p 370.