Tuosist History

The Lake House is situated in Tuosist, a name which is the anglicised version of Tuaith Ó Siosta which signifies the territory of O'Siosta according to The Desmond Survey, An Chartlann Náisiúnta circa 1586. Now a sparsely populated area, Tousist once had a population of 8000 people prior to the famine. Now known for its sheep and fishing the area, the land is steeped in ancient mystery with Cashelkeelty Stone Circles, Bronze age sites, dating back to 3895 BC.

Kilian is the patron saint of the parish of Tuosist as well as the patron saint of rheumatism (don’t ask). Tousist was where he is believed to have resided before travelling to Germany where he was eventually murdered whilst preaching, in fact his bejewelled skull is still preserved to this day. On St Kilian's Day, a glass case containing the three skulls is removed from a crypt, paraded through the streets before large crowds, and put on display in Würzburg Cathedral (dedicated to Kilian). Locally a church and holy well are named after him and his feast day, July 8, is traditionally celebrated with a pattern when crowds visit the well for prayers, followed by evening social events.