Mountain and Hilltop Springs and Sacred Wells
Posted on Wednesday, December 29 @ 16:59:55 GMT on stephen |
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Mountain top sacred wells in Ireland were particularly venerated despite the climbing hazards facing the undaunted pilgrim.
Perhaps contemplating the spring?s arduous journey, propelled from an underground water table to conquer challenging mountain heights, inspired the pilgrim?s sense of wonder. Even today just thinking about the springs? intrepid journeys to the heights of huge mountain ranges must surely inspire the same sense of wonder!
The spring sources of most of the world?s great rivers appear on the summits of massive mountain ranges. For instance a major branch of the Amazon rises in the Cordillera Range of high mountains in South America. The Missouri rises on Mt. Edith in the Rocky Mountains, joining the Mississippi on its way to New Orleans. The great Nile rises in the Blue Mountains, linking with the White Nile to cover a large part of Africa. The Brahmaputra rises in the Himalayas. The Yangste, the Yellow Huang and the Mekong rise in vast Chinese Mountain Ranges and the Irawaddy rises in a mountain range in Burma.
Croagh Patrick, not far from Westport,Co Mayo, is Ireland?s most sacred mountain although no sacred spring crowns its summit to add to its mystique.
These are just some of the world?s great rivers, carrying vast quantities of water on their long journeys to the sea. The wonder of nature?s perfect plan is not in question but one cannot help wondering what reasoning lies behind the intrepid springs? mammoth task.
The obvious answer is that water needs the necessary height and gradient to travel long distances. A less logical answer but one that could apply to our pollutant society today, is that the towering height of these important river sources may also have been designed to protect the water from uncaring pollution.
The spring sources of many rivers in Ireland are often found on mountains or hills. For instance the river Liffey rises in the Wicklow Mountains and is also fed by springs from Mullaghcleevaun. At Gouganbarra, Co Cork, a lake fed by mountain streams is the source of the river Lee. The great Shannon River rises in the Shannon Pot, a small spring fed pond on a hilltop about 30 miles from Sligo. Magically, a sacred well at Carberry , Co Kildare, is the source of the river Boyne!
View of Clew Bay from the Pilgrim?s path, near the foot of Croagh Patrick.
Most of the mountain top sacred wells are of pre-Christian origin and are often Lughnasa festival sites. St Brendan?s well, one of the most spectacular sites, is located on Mount Brandon?s summit (3127ft) on the Dingle Peninsula, Co Kerry. Three pilgrimages were once celebrated yearly but these have been discontinued because the climb is considered to be too dangerous for an average climber to attempt.
On the summit of Slieve Sneacht (2019ft) Inishowen, Co Donegal, Tobar na Suil, high above the snowline, reveals spectacular views. Whether it still survives is questionable. The pilgrimage to this holy well was also celebrated at the festival of Lughnasa. Legend claims that St Patrick prayed and fasted here for forty days and forty nights. Pilgrims were warned not to stir the mud in the bottom of the well for if they did mist, rain and snow would prevent them finding the way home.
Another famous well on top of Slieve Donard (2796ft,) is, or was, situated on the highest point of the Mourne Mountains. On Church Mountain, near Donard Co Wicklow, a famous sacred well was once a popular pilgrimage site. Hikers report this well has disappeared without trace. Many more hilltop wells and mountain pass wells such as the famous St Patrick?s Mam Ean Pass Well (1200ft) still exist. A popular pilgrimage to this well was celebrated at the festival of Lughnasa, the last Sunday in July. Legend claims that St Patrick climbed to the top of Mam Ean, looked down on Conamara and blessed it but didn?t continue his journey.
The Oratory at Croagh Patrick?s summit
The current neglect of sacred springs and water in general, demonstrates that preserving clean water is no longer a priority on Irish peoples? agenda. Yet taking the precious gift of water for granted inevitably leads to losing the sense of wonder inspired by contemplating the perfection of the Divine Plan for water.
This Plan describes our little blue Planet?s giant filtering system undertaking a mammoth task to provide us with clean water. It describes dependable springs bubbling up to the surface to feed streams, wells, rivers and sometimes lakes, ensuring an abundant supply of a precious resource without which we cannot exist. But this is not all it for it also tells us that, given the right circumstances, water can develop curative powers.
However, in spite of the perfection of the Divine Plan it is not invincible. We have been appointed guardians of the Earth and its waters but we have also been given freedom of choice. This means we can choose to neglect, pollute and destroy waters? perfectly designed cycle or accept responsibility for preserving it. This is the challenge facing us today. Ignoring it will inevitably lead to dire consequences.
Mo Griffith
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