The Scallop Shell

[nalod]

There has been a lot written about this subject in the past. Just an additional piece of information. I live in the West Coast of Ireland in a town called Sligo. The Gaelic or Irish for Sligo is "Sligeach" which in turn means Shelly place. The Scallop shell is part of the official crest of the town.

So when I wear my little scallop shell around my neck I am wearing a symbol of the town I live in and the Camino.

Are there many more towns with the Scallop shell as part of their Crest.

Regards Nalod

 

[tyrrek]

Hi! I guess there must be loads, but I can't find a list. Here in the UK, Poole has scallop shells on its coat of arms as it was a departure point to the Camino Ingles. There are also institutions such as Reading University, which apparently adopted it's coat of arms from the abbey there, complete with pilgrim scallops.

 

[nalod]

As far as I know the Scallop shell in the Sligo crest has nothing to do with the Camino. Just the place of shells.

 

[TheTinkerBell]

The coat of arms for A Coruna features 7 golden scallop shells surrounding the Tower of Hercules.
I am open to correction but as far as I know, they represent the 7 regions of the Kingdom of Galicia.

 

[Tincatinker]

As far as I know the Scallop shell in the Sligo crest has nothing to do with the Camino. Just the place of shells.

Sligo does have Saint James' Well to which there is, I believe, a pilgrimage on 25 July. So there is a connection to Santiago if not directly to the Camino.

 

[Saramago]

The scallop shell is also a symbol for baptism. It has been used commonly to collect water to baptize. This is why so many baptismal fountains are decorated with scallop shells.

 

[nalod]

Hello Tincantinker. There is a pilgrimage on the last Sunday of July to the "Holy Well" or "Tobernalt" but I never heard of St James Well. This is a piece about the holy well taken from its website.
"About Tobernalt

Tobernalt Holy Well is a place of reflection and nurturing serenity. It predates the advent of Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. Its importance as a meeting place and a sustainer of life predates our Celtic ancestors.

At this time, the pilgrim at Tobernalt shares in the inherited ancestral tradition coming from earliest times, which was christianised by St. Patrick and held steadfastly by faithful generations ever since. The challenge posed by Tobernalt is to ensure that the tradition will continue to enrich the generations not yet born."

I have photographed this place many times and have been to the early morning pilgrim there on "Garland Sunday" last Sunday of July.

Pat interesting about Baptism fonts.

 

[Tincatinker]

Hi Nalod, falling back on Google to supplement my partial memory I found this: http://www.independent.ie/regionals...-special-mass-at-st-jamess-well-27539836.html
Is it two names for the same well or are they different? This site also lists a St James' well in Sligo but gives no further details http://www.holywell.seomraranga.com/holywellsireland.htm

I'm interested because of the association with a significant neolithic cemetery and monuments as in Galicia.

 

[nalod]

Hello Tincantinker, The main "Holy Well" in Sligo is the one I refereed to also know as Tobernault which is Geaelic. But you are right there appears to be a St James Well in Geevagh, which is about 40km from Tobernault. Sometime over the Winter I will do research on St James well and I might even photograph it. I had never heard of it.

 

[scruffy1]

Not to be crass ...I was always reluctant to sample the scallops in Santiago, something akin to cannibalism perhaps, but I have since discovered that those offered in the restaurants of Santiago are a different species altogether, not the shell we wear. Now the question-where to try them?!? My favorites include: "San Clemente" on rua San Clemente, "Fornos" rua Horreo on the square and around the corner or in a pinch "Los Sobrinos del Padre Le Casa del Buen Pulpo" Praza Cervantes. Guilt free pleasure but have a deep pocket ready. The other option of course is to visit the wonderful wonderful market in Santiago. Strategically located under the watchful eye of two churches, it is best visited early in the morning. There one may find all the shellfish imaginable, those offered at such exorbitant prices in the restaurants but much more affordable. You must prepare them yourself of course, for me, half the fun. The kind ladies there will shell your scallops, no easy task for the uninitiated.