From left to right: Pat Dowling, Chief Executive, Clare County Council; Congella McGuire, Heritage Officer, Clare County Council; Cllr PJ Ryan (IND), Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council; Michael Houlihan, Holy Well Surveyor; Liam Conneally, Director of Services, Clare County Council; Tony Kirby, Holy Well Surveyor; and Nick Geh, Holy Well Surveyor.
SURVEYING and documenting of 237 holy wells in Clare will be celebrated this coming Tuesday.
Clare County Council are to formally launch the webpage of the Clare Holy Wells Project on Tuesday, (February 1st) at 7pm via Zoom, to register an interest email clareholywells@gmail.com.
In recent years, surveyors Michael Houlihan and Tony Kirby have undertaken a labour of love, documenting hundreds of Clare’s holy wells. The result is a fascinating survey of a part of our heritage that holds a special place in the hearts of many Clare people.
It will be the first time that information on the county’s 237 holy wells will be gathered in one place. Survey results are available to view on the webpage which is on the Clare Heritage website.
“Local knowledge was crucial during the survey and many people responded to requests for information,” said Cllr PJ Ryan (IND), Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council. “Holy wells are usually located in quiet and beautiful places but are often also remote,” Clare Heritage Officer, Congella McGuire commented.
She added, “We’d now like people to consult the website, where all the findings are collated. We would love to get feedback, further information, and even more local stories from the public. The website is a dynamic resource, and we will continue to add to it”.
