The ancestral homes of the Mayo and Jo Connell families now exist in the ruins of St Nicholas Church Tower. This 13th-century ruin also houses a cemetery, nestled among green meadows and hills.
Most of the people buried in this cemetery are among the original inhabitants of the place and according to locals, St. Nicholas is also counted among them.
Yes, you got it right. It is Saint Nicholas who is believed to be the creator of the character of Santa Claus, and it is also said that he was considered Santa Claus because of his ability to donate.
Spread over 120 acres, this medieval town is located 20 km south of the town of Kenny, Ireland.
The site is located at the crossing point of the river and Little Erringle and is believed to have been settled by the Normans (a people who had settled in Britain for centuries) who came to Ireland in 1160.
What was this city like and where did the people disappear?
According to the Heritage Council of Ireland, the city was further improved in the 15th century. Archaeological evidence shows that in addition to houses, a bazaar, a watch tower, a bridge, streets, a mill, a water management system and Jer Point Abbey were built nearby, which still stands today. are present.
But the people of this city disappeared in the 17th century. It is assumed that the residents were displaced due to violent attacks or a sudden epidemic.
How then did this town, known as ‘St Nicholas’s Graveyard’, change from a deserted area to private property? Local intellectuals including O’Connell can provide more information in this regard.
While showing us around the property, Mayo and Tim told us that St. Nicholas had always lived here.
He showed us an image carved on a stone in the church graveyard. In this image, Saint Nicholas is looking forward and this shows his charitable nature.
“They’re sharing things,” Mayo says.
Are Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas the same?
In fact, it can be seen as a symbol of charity and it is believed that Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas and Saint Nick were all names of the same person who spread happiness in the form of gifts.
However, as a religious belief, it is also believed that Santa Claus is alive and those who believe in it imagine him alive in their hearts. But the man who inspired this historical character was Saint Nicholas of Myra.
Before becoming a saint, Nicholas was an orphan born in the ancient Roman city of Patara. According to Vatican News, he donated his entire inheritance to the needy, the sick and the poor.
He then became bishop of Myra, now part of modern Turkey. He became a bishop in the same Council of Nicaea in 325 which declared Jesus as the ‘Son of God’. Saint Nicholas died on December 6, 343 in Myra. However, there are still many opinions among people regarding the location of the tomb of St. Nicholas.
Some believe that his tomb is inside St. Nicholas Church in Antalya, Turkey. Some claim that his body was stolen and buried in Bari, Italy. The body is believed to have been buried in the Basilica di San Nicola church in Italy.
Some also say that St. Nicholas’ belongings were taken from his body and were either sold or given to people as gifts.
How did the remains reach Ireland?
Mayo pointed to a statue of two men peering over the shoulders of St. Nicholas. He explained that it shows two crusaders carrying the body of Saint Nicholas from Turkey to Italy.
He said that during this mission some of the remains of the warrior brought back to Ireland and were buried first in St. Nicholas Church in Newtown Gerpoint and then in the church cemetery.
The area of Jerpoint Park is currently under cultivation and Mayo says it is a place that no one has access to.
“The place where the grave is located is not their original location,” says Nathan Mannion, head of exhibitions and programs at the Immigration Museum of Ireland. He was brought here in 1839.
Manny, who is himself from County Kilkenny and grew up hearing rumors of St Nicholas’ tomb in Jerpoint Park, only piqued his curiosity.
“I’ve always had a keen interest in history and that’s what brought me into this profession,” he says.
“I Love Christmas”
As for what’s inside the tomb at Jerpoint Park, he says it’s impossible to say anything about the story with any degree of certainty.
Some believe that the remains of St. Nicholas are buried here, while others say that the tomb is a misunderstanding and is actually the tomb of a local priest.
However, Mayo says he has no plans to excavate the tomb and believes it contains the remains of the saint.
“The fact that those remains are shown in the statue is why people consider the place important,” he says. You don’t put up a big statue for no reason.
Manion believes that nothing can be known without digging up what lies beneath the statue on the tomb. They believe that it is a matter of faith and that the remains of those who have been close to God have been found all over the world and the only way to confirm this is through DNA samples.
“Because of that I can’t say whether Santa is really in Ireland or not,” he says. Neither would I want to do that.
10,000 tourists visit the mausoleum in Jerrpoint Park every year.
However, Jerk Point Park is not a major Christmas destination. Due to this, it is not open to the general public all the time. While tourists can contact Jerpoint Park for a private tour, most of Jerpoint Park is very quiet in December, Lechenmew says.
Mayo says she, Joe and their two children celebrate St Nicholas’ Feast Day on December 6 quietly with their family.
“I love Christmas,” Mayo says. It’s so magical.’