Misstear, Bruce, Gill, Laurence, McKenna, Cora and Foley, Ronan (2018) Hydrology and communities: a hydrogeological study of Irish Holy wells. In: Irish National Hydrology Conference 2018, 20 November 2018, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
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Abstract
As part of efforts to improve water management in Ireland there is a need to promote greater awareness of
groundwater issues amongst the general population. One means by which hydrogeologists can engage and
educate local communities about groundwater issues is by addressing topics of direct interest to them, such as
holy wells. In Ireland there are more than 3,000 holy wells, many of which are sites of devotion, especially on
the pattern or saint’s day. Some of these holy wells are visited by pilgrims seeking a particular cure for an
ailment (eye cures, backache, toothache are common examples). Many have been associated with a more
generic power of healing and wellbeing. Whilst Irish holy wells have been the subject of scholarly study in
disciplines such as archaeology, history, geography and cultural studies, very little attention has been given to
their hydrogeological settings. This paper describes the results of a hydrogeological characterisation of Irish
holy wells, based on a GIS analysis supplemented by field surveys of more than 200 wells. It was found that
holy wells occur in most types of geology in Ireland, and are common in the less productive as well as in the
regionally important aquifers. Importantly, however, they occur more frequently in areas classed as having
extreme or high groundwater vulnerability to pollution; this is consistent with the observation that many holy
wells are in fact springs or shallow wells constructed around springs or groundwater seepages. Many holy
wells have been lost through neglect or through various development projects, and there is a need to preserve
important wells as part of our geological as well as our cultural heritage. The current high levels of interest in
holy wells amongst certain communities may warrant a move towards some more formal protection of these
wells as a community resource.
Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
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Keywords: | Hydrology; Communities; Hydrogeological Study; Irish Holy Wells; |
Academic Unit: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Geography |
Item ID: | 13339 |
Depositing User: | Dr. Ronan Foley |
Date Deposited: | 30 Sep 2020 15:55 |
Refereed: | Yes |
Related URLs: | |
URI: | https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/13339 |
Use Licence: | This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here |
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