There are hundreds of wells throughout the country which bear the saint's name. Wells have been important because they were a souce of clean water. Some were associated with cures, especially of the eyes, which may have resulted from the natural mineral content of the water.
In the ancient religion, wells and rivers were associated with the feminine goddess. Some of Ireland's better known rivers such as the Boyne and the Shannon are named after goddesses. The feminine spirit also guarded the well which would have been seen as a source of life, as the entrance to the womb of the earth.
With the coming of Christianity, the wells were christianised and named after saints - St. Patrick, St. Brigid and a variety of local saints. The custom of going to these wells on the saint's feast day, walking round them while saying particular prayers, and drinking the water, still survives in many places.
Michael Rogers SPS
| | | | |  |
|
| | List of subjects: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | Twin Pillars of Faith
|
| | | Ireland as St. Patrick found it
|
| | Irish Society at the time of St. Patrick |
| | St. Patrick's Missionary Society
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
