Holy wells of Ireland and England heal heart and soul, and maybe other stuff

April 14, 6:26 PMDC Ireland & UK Travel ExaminerLaura Harrison McBride

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St. Brigid's Well, Kildare (Co. Kildare Comm. Network)

Feeling a little punky, brother? Finances got you down, sister? Sinuses in full bloom? Do you find you wake up with little will to live, and even less to soldier on, never mind party? Is that what ails, you bunky?

Well, step right up. Here’s the cure. I said, Well step right up…

Holy wells. Go to Ireland. Or England. Find yourself a holy well, and avail yourself of the cure for what ails you, and a prime vacation all at the same time.

It’s easy enough to find holy wells in Ireland: a good many of them are identifiable by the rags and trinkets hanging from branches as you pass them on the road. Why? Because those seeking relief, for themselves or a loved one, hang something of the person’s on the branch of a bush or tree whose roots are watered by the well’s waters to transfer the magic, as it were. The bits of fabric are also called clooties, or prayer rags.

Some people position more substantial objects near a well, and some throw coins in. This is both symbolic of offering prayer (in a Christian sense, as is lighting a candle so that the sweet scent of heartfelt prayer may rise to heaven on the smoke) and of making a sacrifice to the gods, in a pagan sense. Take it whichever way you like; the end result is that one is seeking relief from an ailment, a misery, a big problem or whatever you like by investing prayer in it, and making a public statement of that investment.

How does a holy well work? Like any other object of veneration or any natural energy source of the earth?again, take your pick. Some believe the rags are, in fact, a sort of energy time-release capsule, soaking up the healing energy rising from the waters and releasing it to the spirit of the person in need.

Don’t worry about getting a map to the holy wells of Ireland. There are so many such wells, it is unlikely you’d be able to pinpoint them all. Just like the numerous High Crosses. There may be somewhat fewer in England, but southwest England, the most Celtic area in the country, does have quite a few. Like the wells in Ireland, they are most easily identified by the rags on nearby branches. If you wish to find a well in either place, simply ask a local. They’ll know. For sure.

Or click here: this page offers, at the end, a partial list of holy wells in Ireland, if you want to have some sites to aim for. On that list is St. Brigid’s Well in Kildare. It is reputed to cure headaches…although possibly an OTC remedy would be cheaper than a trip to Ireland, if not more interesting. Not all wells are surrounded by stones and groomed and tended like this one; many are just there, at the side of the road, for anyone’s enjoyment at any time.

How you experience a holy well is up to you. But most people visit with appreciation of the gift of water and its magical bubbling up from the earth. They may venerate any Christian saint or pagan deity associated with the well (again, the locals will know at least one or the other). They may sit a while and meditate, smelling the moist, life-giving waters of the well, and, if it’s a brook-like well, letting the sounds soothe their soul.

Some carry some water home with them to add to a home shrine or a home altar. Some people also pick up trash they might find?being careful not to mistake clooties with bona fide garbage?and removing it. The gods are pleased by this, we understand. If you don’t go for that idea, the next visitor?whether a supplicant or simply someone who is culturally curious?will thank you.

PS Some holy wells are on private land. Usually, it will be OK with the owner to visit, but please ask first. One of the holy wells in the accompanying photos, the one at Old Well Studio in Lamorna, Cornwall, England is one of these. The owners are steeped in both Christian and pre-Christian spirituality as well as being world-class artists. If you visit their studio and ask nicely, they’ll probably guide you to their holy well. Click here to find out their opening days, and all about their work. (Their site is under construction, and opening times will be found on the Contact page.)