Derry's St. Columba’s Well to feature in new TG4 series about Ireland’s Holy wells

Popular Irish language television presenter Manchán Magan heads to Derry as part of his new six-part documentary series that dives into the myths and legends associated with Ireland’s Holy wells.

In the new TG4 documentary, 'Ag Triall ar an Tobar', which continues this Thursday, Manchán Magan asks what is it about these therapeutic landscapes that retain a presence in today’s world?

In each episode presenter Manchán Magan uncovers holy wells that have been sites of worship and prayer for centuries and are still visited today for those seeking comfort and peace. Where have these rituals come from and who are the people that keep these traditions alive?

Each sacred well visited acts as a passage into the earth and the Otherworld. Fresh water covered 2.5% of the plant. And 70% of this water is hidden in icebergs, icecaps.

As a society we have always been dependent on water, all our cities are built on rivers and towns. It’s no surprise that there are still wells and holy wells found in our cities.

In the seciond episode well enthusiast, Gary Branigan, shows Manchán Magan a secret well underneath Trinity College Dublin and Mary Kennedy tells us about her childhood memories at St. Bridgit’s well, Clondalkin.

St. Columba’s Well just beside the Derry walls is where Mary Delargy brings us to talk about the well that has stood through history. We hear about the long history of Galway’s well on the banks of Lough Ataila from Tom Kenny. And finally Diarmuid Ó Drisceoil brings us to Our Lady’s Well in Cork and its industrial connection to Cork city.

Manchán Magan host of TG4 documentary 'Ag Triall ar an Tobar' which continues this Thursday

Have you ever come across a holy well and wondered who else has walked on this path? Ordnance Survey Ireland claimed there were as many as 3,000 holy wells in Ireland - more than in any other country in the world.

This six-part series is a new format which fuses the exploration of Christianity and Pagan customs with historical record and local knowledge to take us on a journey through some of Ireland’s undiscovered sacred places.

Presenter Manchán Magan treads through history to discover hidden secrets behind these rippled waters. He speaks of some of the customs that visitors to the well would enact, from tying ribbons to nearby trees to circling the well clockwise three times. He also lists all the potential ailments that might find relief and treatment from the waters of the holy well.

These ailments can be a cure for a herd of cattle or a cure for dementia or bi-polar. Each ailment is as relevant today as they were back then.

Each episode in the series delves into a theme, unveiling unique stories, rituals and beliefs associated with a local holy well. From tales of saints and fairies to ancient healing practices and modern day pilgrimages, viewers will be transported into a world where spirituality, folklore and nature intertwine.

Manchán takes a deeper look at the enduring relevance of these sacred sites in today’s society. He examines the reason why these places hold a special place in the hearts of the Irish people.

Holy wells in Ireland hold a unique role as symbols of Irish culture and a connection with the natural environment. These sacred wells pre-date the Christian era, usually dedicated to Saint names that still echo like Bríd, Pádraig and Colmcille, there is clear evidence that they were originally pagan sites.

Where once a pagan sacrifice may have taken place, today a bride might look into the waters for good luck, or someone may come in a desperate search for a cure of an illness.

Each attached to their own saints, legends and healing properties, these holy wells have been secret sites of worship and prayers for centuries and are still visited today by those who seek the miraculous cures offered by the waters.

The next episode of Ag Triall ar an Tobar is this Thursday, 21st March at 8pm on TG4.