Holy water from a small well in Co Clare was flown across the Atlantic in the cockpit of an Aer Lingus flight and delivered to a sick child in Philadelphia.
The Irish Examiner reports that the water, which was taken from the holy well at St Brigid’s Well in the Burren and is thought to have healing powers, made the transatlantic crossing with the help of a group of strangers who came together to help an Irish-American family in Philadelphia.
It is illegal to mail liquids through the post and no courier company would take on the order.
Read More: St Brigid's tourism trail launched in Kildare
Lahinch hotelier Michael Vaughan posted on on social media asking for assistance in transporting the holy water.
Vaughan, the former president of the Irish Hotel Federation, was contacted by Nora Kennedy, who offered the services of her nephew, an airline pilot based in Britain, to deliver the water.
An Aer Lingus flight taking off at Dublin Airport.TWITTER/@AERLINGUS
However, her nephew could not deliver the water himself but he was able to arrange for an Aer Lingus flight crew to transport the liquid to America.
“I drove to Dublin at six in the morning on Sunday and dropped off the water at a particular point at the airport for the Aer Lingus flight crew to collect,” said Vaughan.
“The crew had it in the cockpit of the plane. They dropped off the water to Tom Ward in Philadelphia, who I know from Ireland 626 Tours, and his wife brought it to the family who had requested it. So it has made its full journey.”
St Brigid’s well is located a short walk from the Cliffs of Moher. and is blessed in a ceremony on February 1 each year.
“One of Tom Ward’s clients made the request to me through Tom, because her grandson was in hospital,” said Vaughan.
“There are so many decent people out there who are willing to help others. I got about five or six credible offers from people about how to get this to America before Christmas.
“None of these people were people who I knew personally. They saw the request on social media and came up with the solution.
Read More: Gender discrimination - in praise of Saint Brigid
“When you are in the full of your health, it is nice to be able to do something for somebody else.
“It shows you that there are lots of decent people out there, willing to help if they are asked.”
Comments