02/04/2024

We are fond of the old holy wells that are scattered around Donegal - they are almost always close to sites associated with pre~Christianity, skillfully appropriated under the name of an either obscure forgotten holy person or latched to a superstar saint, and the most striking thing about them is the devotion that still keeps these places maintained and sacred and valued. You will find the statues and rosaries but also wishing trees and scattered flowers and a range of mementoes from coins to photographs to - well, quite frankly, very odd things- today’s rambles to Doon Well and Ards Forest included discovery of a single sock, two wine bottles and a lego horse. But they are still very much a part of local tradition, and in some ways, more potent in the imagination than a font in a church, because of their scenic locations and homage to the landscape. The Irish word for a spring or well is ‘Tobar’ - it lends itself to many of the place names of Ireland, - Tubbercurry in Sligo, for example, and the well-known Tipperary. A fountain pen is also known in Irish as a ‘peann tobair’ - there’s your fun fact for today! Enjoy the ramble!
#holywells #donegal #StudyAbroadIreland