Holy Wells

Ireland is said to have over 3,000 holy wells, some are well known and very well maintained. Others are out of the way with no real markings in the woods and known to mostly locals. I visited three holy wells - each of them very different.

The healing waters of holy wells are associated with the power of divination and the cure various disorders. Their history and folk-lore make a good read.

I was in search of a Faerie Tree near Drumacoo Church when I found my first Holy Well. It was St. Sourney's Well behind the church and down some earthen stairs. Although it appears to be dried, people still come to well to pray and holy water is available from the Church.

Bring your own container to fill with Holy Water.

I found the next Holy Well several days later on the grounds of Castle Birr in County Offaly. I'll tell you more about Castle Birr, but right now it's about Holy Wells.

This well was incased in rock, with mosiac work on the inside and protected by a gate. Naturally, a simple gate is not going to keep me away and so I pulled a straw from my pocket and stuck one end into the water and plugged the other end with my finger. I didn't get much, but was glad of what I had.

I have no idea what County I was in when I found the other well. It was very secluded down a dirt road with a lot of trees and undergrowth. The trees around that well were decorated with ribbons, crucifixes, pictures of loved ones, etc., and were left by those who had been to the well and prayed. There was a good two feet of water in this well.

I left behind a hair clip with prayers for my father, who passed away too young (age 55) long ago.

At least two out of three Holy Wells I found had water.

If I had known about Holy Wells before my trip, I would have mapped out several of them to visit along my journey.

You know what that means? Holy Wells are in the Top Ten for my return trip to Ireland.

To learn more about the location of Holy Wells, visit

https://irelandssacredwater.com/map-of-holy-wells

Page Directory