The Holy Wells of Ireland

by Patrick Logan

Holy wells have been a feature of the religion of the Irish people for longer than records have existed, and while pilgrimages to them are not as common as in the last centuries, many wells are still visited, particularly on the Saints’ or ‘Pattern’ Days, and even now new wells occasionally appear.

In this survey Dr Patrick Logan, author of The Old Gods, Irish Country Cures and Fair The Story of Irish Fairs and Markets, describes many of those wells that are still visited, detailing the features of the pilgrimage and the benefits obtained, together with the legends attached to the wells, the saints they are dedicated to and their Pattern Days, the sites, trees and stones associated with them, and fish that some of them have; he also gives information about the holy islands that have wells.

Genres: Ireland, Travel

176 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1980

Reviews

[Ceilidhchaos · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book provides some interesting information, but it lacks both a Contemporary and pre Christian context for the information. the book is poorly edited and lacks organization. it discusses too much information too shallowly and instead of deeply exploring one well at one time, it discusses some of the same ones over and over again making it difficult to keep details straight. Despite pre Christian times being discussed in the introduction, there is almost no mention of the Pre Christian deities in connection with the wells.

[Odile · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good inventory of holy wells and different types of pilgrimages in Ireland, but the author makes little effort to put them in a broader context. Useful as a reference, but other than that a bit dry and inconsequential.

[Alex M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love when he says "This practice was very likely a pre-Christian activity" or "This site was most certainly associated with the pre-Christian religion" and then doesn't describe it in any detail at all

[Peacefulbookery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed, interesting survey. A good reference rather than a broader/general history.