wells historical ireland

Water has always played a major role in Irish history, first in pagan and later in Christian times. Galway city had many holy wells some of which were credited with curing various ailments.
One such sacred spot, St Augustine's Well can still be seen by Lough Atalia, on the east side of the city....

This well lies in a hollow within a small circle of trees and is possibly within the remains of an earthen ring-fort, of which there is some slight evidence.
Believed in the past to be effective against cholera, a story is told of a man who rested by the side of the well, suffering from the disease, and for three weeks took no nourishment but water from the well. According to local tradition, the man was cured and eventually went to America....

Associated with St Patrick who, says the story, struck the ground with his staff and feresh water bubbled up. The original source of the well is nearby.
The present well is surrounded by a lowstone well and reached by cut stone steps. The water is excellent....

It is one of the largest wells in Ireland, with a shimmering pool at its mouth and a 6th-7th century Cross mounted on a Plinth in the pool centre. In 1969, thanks to the efforts of the then Mayor of Los Angeles, Sam Yorty (whose mother was born in Clonmel) the Irish Israeli Society of South California and the St. Patrick's Day Society Clonmel much needed restoration and landscaping was carried out on the well site. It has now become as well known as a tourist attraction as a place of Pilgrimage...

An historic place of pilgrimage. Well worth a visit to experience the peace and tranquility concealed in a woodland area....

Continue the road to Mullingar, stopping at Killare to visit St. Brigid's well. Beside the well are the remains of an early medieval stone church, surrounded by a circular earthen bank which suggests a very early Christian foundation; history tell us that the founder was St. Hugh but tradition has linked the name of St. Brigid with the place....

St Columb's Well at the bottom of Fahan Street in the Bogside is one of three wells dating back to St Columb's period of residence in Derry. The original site of St Columb's monastic church at Long Tower is close by. Legend tells of St Columb praying here when a child was brought to him for baptism. No water could be found. St Columb was said to have blessed a nearby stone and from it water sprang forth. This is how the well originated and to this day the annual Feast of St Columb is celeb...

A recently refurbished antiquity of Cahir is the Holy Well known as Tobar Iosa - "The Well of Jesus". It is located 1 km. North West of Cahir Castle on the N24. This well is a relic of pre-Christian times, possibly 7th or 8th century. The old pagan custom, adopted by the early Christians, of affixing multicoloured rags to the holly tree that adjoins the well, is still the custom even to this day. A stone with two carved crosses rests on a slab said to be used in Penal Days as a "Mass Rock"....

About 1km north of Brucless village is a holy well asociated with St Conall. There are some interesting early Christain cross-slabs nearby. The round tower in the church grounds is relatively modern....

Open farm with farm museum, gardens, tea house, craft and antiques shop and farm animals. Building which represents a 12th century place of worship and a beautiful closed garden which is an ancient burial ground. Also a holy well which is used for its healing properties....