Ross Nichols, founder of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD), often visited Lawrence, Pamela and Olivia during the 1960's at Clonegal Castle. During this period he gave both Olivia and Lawrence Druidic initiations. Philip Carr-Gomm, the successor of Ross Nichols, also visited and worked with Olivia and Lawrence at Clonegal Castle.
In 1963, Olivia and Lawrence founded their own Druid grove, which they named the Grove of Eithne. They held druidic rituals in the ruins of the Old Abbey with Ross Nichols. It was at this time that they began calling the Old Abbey, "The Temple of Dana." Although Lawrence and Olivia founded their own grove in 1963, the founding of the Druid Clan of Dana of the Fellowship of Isis would not take place until 1992.
Within the ruins of the Old Abbey, or Temple of Dana, stands a dolmen altar and two marble vessels containing rain water.
The Temple of Dana was the site of two ordinations of priestesses into the Fellowship of Isis in the summer of 1976. This double ordination ceremony for a Priestess of Dana and for a Priestess of Isis was the first ordination of FOI priesthood conducted in the Fellowship of Isis. Lawrence Durdin-Robertson officiated as Priest and Olivia Robertson officiated as Hierophant.
Copyright © The Circle of Isis Advisory Board, Fellowship of Isis Central Global Website. Photo of entrance to the Abbey or Temple of Dana provided by FOI Co-Founder Olivia Robertson.
