The Sacred Springs of Ireland or ( “Holy Wells” as they are better known), date back to the antiquities of the land and its culture.
In pre-Christian days, these sites were common witnesses to pagan blood sacrifices, but with the coming of the “Irish” saints , Patrick and Bridgid, all that was steeped in paganism was tweaked to become part of the new Christian faith and philosophy.
Thus the mounds of blood and death, became sites of inspiration for new brides, and waters of hope and healing for the crippled and the maimed, much like the Scriptural “Pool of Siloam”.
Today, the Holy Wells form part of traditional Catholic practices.
Special Masses and the Stations of the Cross are now included as part of the Holy Wells' personal devotions and corporate worship services.
The myths and legends surrounding the Wells have their basis in the pagan ritualisms and beliefs of the Otherworld, the land of the dead and of eternal youth.
The Otherworld was thought to be hidden under the earth and protected by the Irish mists.
From this mysterious place emanated all sources of power and wisdom, carried by the rushing waters which subsequently were guided to fill the selected well sites.
It was believed that supernatural fish which lived in the wells could supply lucky pilgrims with the ability to seek out and understand omens with special reference to future events.
With the rise of Christianity, the symbols and rituals of the Wells were transformed to represent Christ and His Cross, and thereby became places where His goodness and blessings and guidance would be poured out upon a faithful few.
Today followers of the Wells claim the existence of as many as over 3000 throughout the country.
Most of them still exhibit the three-core foundation of early Celtic paganism --- the well and water, the sacred tree and the standing stone.
Often women would lie prostrate on the stone wishing to ensure a pregnancy or a safe birth.
Tying swaddling cloth to the sacred tree was considered sufficient to transfer illness from the person to the cloth.
Coins were also tossed into the well both as an offering and an appeasement to the various deities believed to dwell within. Today, the standing stones bear the “worn away” results of the kissing and rubbing of faithful pilgrims.
As Christianity spread, many Catholic churches were built on “Holy Well” sites.
The water fonts were frequently moved inside and to this day, in most churches, the “Holy Water” font, generally placed close to the entrance, bears the evidence of years of rubbing and kissing by the faithful.
The “holy Wells” customs are still practised by many faithful Catholics, with frequent pilgrimages arranged in various counties. As you travel the length and breadth of Ireland , should you see a “clootie” (the swaddling cloth) tied to a tree branch, you will know you have entered a Holy Wells habitat.
St. Declan's Well in Waterford
