Summer arrived for a few magnificent days – an excellent opportunity to head to the hills and explore the Gaeltacht Mhúscraí around Baile Mhúirne (Ballyvourney) and Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh (Ballingeary). I had six wells left in this area, all of them in seemingly remote and difficult areas, all of them with apparently little to […]
Enjoying the vibes around Avebury: a Guest Well
An action-packed few days across the water included, of course, a visit or two to a holy well! Today’s well was arrived at at the end of a very special day enjoyed with my son and was a most magical experience. Avebury Stone Circle Based in Bristol, we decided to pop across the county border […]
A Clonakilty Ramble part 2
Continuing on from the big day out in Clonakilty environs, four wells still remaining roughly in a direction towards Bandon. The next stop was Kilbrittain but I was momentarily distracted by some interesting things around Ballinascarthy which resulted in a quick stop to admire a ruined cottage, complete with unusually fancy door and windows. A possible […]
A Final Ramble around Clonakilty & Bandon, part 1
It was lovely to be back in the field after a pause due to bad weather and life in general. It also feels as though I am on the last stretch of this project for I have now visited almost 250 holy wells and I suspect there can only be another 50 or so left […]
The Magical Well
Sometimes you find no definite well but a whole lot of interesting stories! Whilst browsing through the holy well entries for Bantry in the Schools’ Folklore Collection, as you do, I came across this extraordinary account. My Gaeilge being somewhat lacking, I sought help from a Gaeilgeoir and this is her translation: The Magical Well […]
Two remote wells NE of Macroom
Two rather obscure wells on the agenda today, slightly north east of Macroom. Kill Holy Well & Bullaun The first stop was in a remote area, all green pasture, tiny roads and quite a lot of flooding after some seriously wet days. I was looking for a well and a bullaun in the townland of […]