Holy Wells

County Clare has the highest concentration of Holy Wells in one county, anywhere between 220 & 240 having been recorded. These wells, although now long Christianized, are far older, dating back to early Pagan times.

They can sometimes be nothing more than a small depression in a rock collecting rainwater, which seem to be especially good at curing warts, to very powerful springs that are now contained within larger man made structure.

Most holy wells have a very long history of healing, offering people either a specific or general cure, such as being well known well for curing eye problems. Others were even used for divination or supernatural purposes in the past. Votive offerings were often made to the wells, and much later, to the saint the Church later associated it with. Many also have a rag tree (sometimes called a clootie), or blessed bush close by, where you can leave a strip of yours or someone else’s clothing after washing or drinking form the well, in the hope that whatever ails them will then be transferred, by sympathetic magic to the tree or bush instead, thus freeing the person from their illness or affliction. Many had a Pattern Day, where pilgrimages are carried out by the faithful who are visiting this particular well seeking a cure or favour. “Patterns” usually included a circular walk that had to be carried out deiseal, going the same direction as the sun travels. Some wells even have a sacred hill or stone associated with them, which were often later incorporated into the pattern day’s pilgrimage route.

Many old Celtic churches were built in close proximity to ancient Pagan wells, as they were used for baptisms. The Roman Catholic Church later changed this practice when they built fonts inside the churches themselves to distance their parishioners from the older beliefs.

Sadly, most holy wells have fallen into disrepair or are no longer visited and cared for. However the water from these old wells is still highly valued by some people, as either holy or respected for its curative properties.