On the trail of Beagh’s holy wells

Holy wells have a very special place in Irish culture, most transcending the history and folklore of Pagan and early Christian times.

 

The parish of Beagh in South Galway has more than its share of holy wells and in a project started 10 years ago, the local Rural Development Committee spearheaded the restoration of six stone wells. Despite their antiquity, fresh water is still flowing in all wells, which, according to tradition, provide a range of cures from all ailments, headaches, stomach ulcers, eye and hand problems.

Committee spokesman, Michael Slattery explained how the work was carried out under FÁS Community Employment and various other government-sponsored schemes and supported by Galway Rural Development’s Rural Social Scheme. Up to 30 people have been engaged in the project.

In an effort to highlight the historical significance of the wells and encourage people to visit them, the development group has produced a brochure, including a simple location map, which was formally launched in Finnerty’s, Tubber last week.

At the launch, performed by Caoilte Breatnach, translator and historian, a special tribute was paid to Paddy Joe Roseingrave for his contribution to the project. Also acknowledged was the fact that a great deal of information was gleaned from folklore gathered by the late John Flanagan.
The brochure outlines how the belief in the curative power of holy wells was originally based on physical fact. These natural springs on the earth’s surface had rock mineral leached into them.

The druids exploited this fact and attributed them as having magical powers. Later, many saints blessed these sites, which consequently led to their Christian affiliation.
“Tobar Rí an Domhanaigh is probably the best-known well in the area. It’s beside Tubber village and masses are held there every year,” said Michael.
Tobar Rí or the Well of the King of Sundays is located behind the old RIC barracks on the Clare/Galway border on the farm of Paul Whelan. The altar lies some five metres south-west of the well. It is a small, rectangular stone structure and on the altar is a plaque dated 1717.
It reads: Pray for the soul of Helen O’Brien, alias Kelly O’Shaughnessy, who made the wall around the well, May 9, 1717.”

There are many votive offerings on the altar, some of which are quite recent. According to tradition, the well was blessed by St Colman.
At the western end is a stone plaque which reads: “Pray for the soul of Nelly French who made this monument 1711”. The day for visiting is the last Sunday of July.

There are many stories and customs associated with the well, which is reputed to have curative power for all ailments. Apparently, water from the well will not boil and it is also said that the branches from the nearby tree should not be burned.

According to Michael, Tobarnasuile Holy Well, Killeen is of special interest. It takes pride of place among all other wells for its picturesque setting, nestled on the banks of the Killeen River, in the townland of Knocklawrence, on the farm of Tom Neilan.

At the base of the north-west facing wall are two small depressions or pools, known locally as “the eyes”. According to tradition, the water from these pools provides a cure for eye ailments, hence the well’s name.

Tradition has it that St Mac Coille blessed the well and founded a small oratory or church nearby. When performing the rounds of the well in the old traditional way, one was supposed to sleep there for one night and the cure took place during the sleep.
A children’s burial ground (killeen) is located nearby. There are also two others in the parish, one at St Patrick’s Holy Well and another at Rathwilliam village.

“The wells are a good local attraction and are pretty much accessible, most abeing only a short distance from Gort/Crusheen and then through a couple of fields on farms. They can be visited by people walking or cycling around the area,” said Michael.
The brochure is available in shops in the South Galway/North Clare area.