Just 40 minutes off the southern coast of Ireland is an island known as Cape Clear (Oileán Chléire).
The island is home to a number of prehistoric archeological finds, indicating 5,000 years of habitation on the island.
Among these are the Marriage Stones (Cloch na nGeallúna or Galláin an Chomalaín), which stand in a serene pasture on the northeastern end of the island.
These stones were placed around 2,000 years ago, and are said to be the site of ancient handfasting rituals.
Originally there were at least four stones, but now just two remain. One of these, with a round hole in the center, is known as a marriage stone, or trysting stone.
According to a record from the Irish Folklore Commission:
“In the centre there is a circular opening; there is an ancient tradition connected with it. In former times this was a marriage stone where lovers met and became engaged. As no jeweller flourished on the island and engagement rings were not to be obtained, the lovers adopted the custom of plighting their troth by shaking hands through the circular opening. The mutual vows made on such occasions were strictly observed. This Gallaun is looked upon as a venerable relic connected in someway or another with the worship of the Druids.”
The trysting stone may have also been used to ritualize other legal and business deals made between individuals.
More than 2,000 years later, lovers still travel to these ancient stones for engagements, weddings, and handfasting ceremonies.
Speaking from my own experience, the Marriage Stones are a powerful site for mature love, too. My husband and I celebrated eight years of marriage earlier this year, but during our visit I guided us through a ritual to bless our wedding rings and our partnership.
