John Drake, the Hermit – a story of love, redemption and hope?

Very little is known of the hermit of Muckross Abbey, John Drake, but locally the story goes that in 1770 a man in his forties took up residence in the abandoned Muckross Abbey. A man considered to be from high society, made a home for himself in the deep recessed kitchen window. He made the window draught proof using coffin boards and clay. He also slept on coffin boards covered in straw, with only with a blanket for cover. He cooked his meals in the kitchen fireplace. Locally it was thought that he had committed a crime and sought to seek his penance in the ruined abbey. He lived a quite solitary life, praying and cultivating his small garden, offering to help anyone who was less fortunate them himself.

After eleven years living at the abbey he left as quietly as he came. No one knows where he went or what happened to him. Some years later a young woman arrived to Killarney looking for the man. She was educated and cultured and she spoke a foreign language. Very little is known of the woman only that she stayed in Killarney for some time visiting the abbey regularly that she wept in the window recess, prayed where he prayed, and gave generously to all who had helped the hermit.