you'll find that springs and wells were considered to be sacred by many ancient cultures

The Holy Wells in (rural) Ireland have been co-opted by the Catholic church and are in use as Holy places providing cures for a variety of ailments up to the present day.

Often trees are associated with the wells and are used in the rituals associated (see rag-trees). Often there's a bit of a strange mix with a feeling of old paganism and overly RC imagery. While some wells around here have fallen in disuse, some others are very actively used, with annual masses for the saint associated.


Whether they work or not, people go there an find comfort and perhaps help for whatever bothers them. Backache, eye cures, toothache are regular ailments wells are supposed to provide cures for but I have seen wells for depression, diabetes and all sorts of things.