Hello all:
An introduction is in order: my name is Francine Nicholson and I
live in the States. Although my graduate degree is in Irish Studies and
Religion, I currently work as a technical editor and writer. My special
interest is in how holy wells, springs, and spas have been used in
worship over the years. In reading the material in this list's archives,
I've been fascinated and delighted by the strong interest and action the
wells continue to generate from the people fortunate enough to live near
them.
And I have a question I hope the list members may be able to
help with. In Philip Dixon Hardy's book on holy wells, he writes the
following about Ardmore:
"On going to the well, which is within the precincts of an old
chapel or ruin, I was obliged to turn out of the road, and go a by-way
in consequence of more than a thousand people
being on their knees in the vicinity of the chapel where the
Priest was celebrating Mass, for on that day they have three masses. At
the well, which is similarly situated with John's-Well, Kilmainham-road,
two women were handing the water as fast as they could, and receiving a
half-penny from each person for about half a pint. I could not help
noticing a figure immediately over the well, very like the picture of
Callee, the black goddess of Hindostan, not quite so horrific, but a
great likeness between them."
Is anyone familiar with the site at Ardmore? Have you seen an
image that would correspond to that which Hardy described? Thanks in
advance for any thoughts on this subject.
Also, to address another recent thread, it seems as though this
particular well must have existed at one time within the church.
Francine Nicholson
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