New Ballinspittle grotto book recalls history of moving statue and more

A NEW book on Ballinspittle Grotto has just been released.

The book – Ballinspittle Grotto & The Moving Statue – has been published to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the summer which saw thousands of people flock to the village in 1985, after local people reported that they saw the statue of Our Lady moving.

It was researched and written by the members of the Grotto Committee who decided to write a history of the site, which was built in 1954, the Marian Year.

‘The main focus of the book is an account of the extraordinary happenings that took place in 1985 but the book also covers the history of the grotto right up to the present day,’ said Agnes O’Brien, secretary of the committee, speaking to The Southern Star.

‘The grotto here is a place of special significance for so many people, and many often stop for a quiet, reflective moment, before continuing with their day-to-day business. There is a sense of peace, tranquility and quietness here,’ she added.

There was renewed media interest in the grotto this summer for the anniversary.

‘It was certainly a busy summer and The Southern Star covered the anniversary and the local radio stations too. TV3 also visited the grotto and interviewed the locals here and we also had Simon Reeve, from BBC2, who was here making a documentary which will feature the grotto too.’

The book will sell for €10 and is now available in the following retail outlets: In Ballinspittle – Barryroe Co-op, Centra and Lordan’s butchers; Barrellscross – Kathleen & Willie O’Sullivan’s shop; Ballinadee – Corcoran’s Pub; Kinsale – Murphy’s Shop, Pearse Street; Billy Connery’s Butcher Shop; Bookshop, Main St; Bookstore, Newman’s Mall; Kilbrittain – Kilbrittain Post Office; Bandon – Hickey’s Newsagents, O’Farrells, Book Store Plus at Riverview Shopping Centre; Cork city – Veritas, Benedictus bookshop North Main St, and St Anthony’s stores; Lislevane - Barryroe Co-op; Newcestown  – O’ Mahony’s bar.