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Holy wells in the Burren

See the well-known holy wells in a new light, and discover those that are well hidden

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Holy Wells in the Burren – Forgotten past, living tradition

The site is dedicated to documenting the holy wells of the Burren region, located in North Clare in the west of Ireland. The Burren is about 350 square kilometres in size. It is a geographically vague area. However, the most commonly accepted definition of the region now accords with Tim Robinson’s map, The Burren,  a two-inch map of the uplands of north-west Clare (1999) published by Folding Landscapes.

We will endeavour to photograph and write of all the wells which feature on Robinson’s map (and maybe even some other, forgotten wells). The wells will be categorised in alphabetical order – civil parish-by-parish. Public access, or lack thereof,  is denoted in each case. Landowner’s permission should be sought in cases where there is no right of public access.

Tony Kirby is the writer and researcher whilst Karin Funke is photographer. Hydrological information is provided by Dr David Drew.

The background image is of the votive offerings at St. Colmcille’s holy well at Crumlin, Fanore. Even though the well is not recorded on the Robinson map, it is featured on our site.

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List of Holy Wells in the Burren

We have accumulated a list of holy wells featured on the site. The list is in alphabetical order parish-by-parish. The parish type we are using is civil rather than ecclesiastical or church parish. Click here to see the list of holy well. The Record of Monuments and Places (R.M.P.) number is denoted for each well.…

Read more List of Holy Wells in the Burren

Burren Holy Well Cahermakerila Tobar Cholmain

About Holy Wells

A DEFINITION“The simplest definition of a holy well might be that if people thought it as such, and treated it as such, then it was a holy well”Bord, Janet. 2006. Cures and Curses Ritual and Cult at Holy Wells.  Heart of Albion. THE MONUMENT Holy wells can have three diagnostic features. They are the divine…

Read more About Holy Wells

St. Colman's Well Oughtmama Holy Well of the Burren

About

Tony Kirby was born in Limerick city. He led walking tours in Dublin city in the late 1990s. In 2002, Tony moved to the Burren in County Clare where he operates a small walking tourism enterprise. He is the author of the book The Burren and the Aran Islands A Walking Guide published by The…

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  • Home
  • Burren Holy Wells
  • About Holy Wells
  • About
  • Contact
  • Acknowledgements
  • List of Holy Wells