###### Abstract  
Traditional Irish medicines are often intertwined with ritual and spirituality, making it difficult to substantiate the validity of their claims. In this manuscript, we use molecular and microscopic techniques to investigate some microorganisms that might be responsible for the reputed healing properties of an ancient Irish soil cure known as the Blessed clay from a site in Boho in the West Fermanagh Scarplands. We previously reported the isolation of an antibiotic producing bacteria from this soil. In this report, we characterize the antibiotic activity of a further six isolates of _Streptonyces_ from this source. Two of these isolates inhibit the growth of multi-resistant _Staphylococcus aureus_ (MRSA) and _Pseudomonas aeruginosa_, two inhibit the growth of the yeast _Starmerella bombicola_, and two have as yet undetermined activity. Genetic analysis of these _Struptomyces_ reveals the potential to synthesize varieties of antibiotics similar to cypenycin, grisecohelin, macrolactams, and candicidin. From these observations, we suggest that part of the medicinal reputation of the Blessed clay may lie in the diversity of antimicrobial producing _Struptomyces_ isolated from this soil. These findings highlight the potential for antibiotic discovery in this area. e 2021 11 4923  
of drug discovery. One of these approaches, pioneered by [PERSON], was the analysis of traditional folk-medicine. [PERSON] discovered that traditional medicines yielded far more successful lead compounds in the development of anticancer drugs than random plant screenings [9]. These ideas were quickly adopted by other researchers. Pioneering work by the group of [PERSON] in British Columbia discovered that the sacred clay, used for millennia by the Heiltsuk peoples of Kisameet Bay, was able to combat many multi-resistant hospital pathogens [3]. In another part of the globe, researchers in Jordan attributed the therapeutic activity of 'Red clay' to a high proportion of antibiotic producing bacteria found in the soil [10]. Researchers have discovered that antibiotic producing organisms could also have a close relationship with plants. This was the case for _Streptomyces_ sp. strain Y3111, which lives in association with the traditional Chinese medicinal plant _Heraroleum souliei_ and produces anti-tuberculosis (anti-BCG) compounds named heralemycins [1]. Some researchers have even reconstituted ancient medicines from old texts that have been proven to be effective against antibiotic resistant organisms such as methicillin resistant _Staphylococcus aureus_ (MRSA) [2]. The common theme running through many of these discoveries has been the presence of _Streptomyces_. Together with other closely related genera, these organisms produce as much as 50% of the world's current antibiotics, as well as anticancer, antiparasitic, and antifungal compounds [11]. The West Fermanagh Scarplands are a remote range of limestone hills on the border between N. Ireland and Eire. This area has a long tradition of folk cures associated with rocks, soils, and wells, some of which are named after the diseases they cure, such as jaundice, scurvy, and ague. One of the traditional medicines from this area concerns the soil that covers the grave of a cleric known as [PERSON]. Fr [PERSON] belonged to a group of priests who emerged at the end of the penal laws in Ireland. Many of these people were familiar with both spirituality and local folk healing practices [12]. In his later years' Fr [PERSON] stated that the soil that covered him would be able to cure the same diseases as it did when he was alive. This soil or 'Blessed clay', as it is described by locals, is wrapped in cloth and is given for ailments as diverse as toothache or tuberculosis. In our previous research, we isolated one species of _Streptomyces_ from this soil that inhibited several antibiotic resistant pathogens [13]. Our current investigation involves the isolation and characterization of other _Streptomyces_ isolated from this soil.