Blessing of boats keeps Ballinskelligs tradition alive

 Parish priest Fr Patsy Lynch blesses the boats at the pier in Ballinskelligs, County Kerry, a tradition that goes back hundreds of years.  Pictures: Don MacMonagle

On a sunny summer’s evening in Co Kerry, the community of seaside town Ballinskelligs gathered for the blessing of the boats, an ancient tradition kept alive by the locals.

“When we gather for something that has a tradition,” said Fr Patsy Lynch, who led the service on Wednesday, “it connects with something deep inside of us.”