Hardback | |
September 26, 2023 | |
9780253066688 | |
English | |
334 | |
140 color illus. | |
11.00 Inches (US) | |
8.50 Inches (US) | |
$50.00 USD, £39.00 GBP | |
v2.1 Reference | |
Holy Wells of Ireland
Sacred Realms and Popular Domains
Edited by Celeste Ray and Finbar McCormick
Contributions by Carol Barron, Gary Branigan, Eugene Broderick, Attracta Brownlee, Ray Cashman, Janet Cassidy, Hannah Chew, Amanda Clarke, Claire Collins, Anne Cormican, Christy Cunniffe, Colm Donnelly, Maura Egan, Ronan Foley, Noel French, Michael Gibbons, Laurence Gill, Annie Griffith, Michael Houlihan, Ryan Lash, Shane Lehane, Shane Lordan, Geraldine Lynch, Niall Mac Coitir, John Makem, Bernadette Masterson, Patrick McAteer, Rita McCarthy, Finbar McCormick, Tamlyn McHugh, Cora McKenna, Bruce Misstear, Edward N. Moran, Eileen Murphy, Stiofán Ó Cadhla, Suzanne Pegley, Gerry A. Quinn and Celeste Ray
Contributions by Carol Barron, Gary Branigan, Eugene Broderick, Attracta Brownlee, Ray Cashman, Janet Cassidy, Hannah Chew, Amanda Clarke, Claire Collins, Anne Cormican, Christy Cunniffe, Colm Donnelly, Maura Egan, Ronan Foley, Noel French, Michael Gibbons, Laurence Gill, Annie Griffith, Michael Houlihan, Ryan Lash, Shane Lehane, Shane Lordan, Geraldine Lynch, Niall Mac Coitir, John Makem, Bernadette Masterson, Patrick McAteer, Rita McCarthy, Finbar McCormick, Tamlyn McHugh, Cora McKenna, Bruce Misstear, Edward N. Moran, Eileen Murphy, Stiofán Ó Cadhla, Suzanne Pegley, Gerry A. Quinn and Celeste Ray
The storied landscapes of Ireland are dotted with holy wells—hallowed springs, pools, ponds, and lakes credited with curative powers and often associated with Catholic and indigenous saints. While many of these sites have been recently lost to development, others are visited daily for devotions and remain the focus of annual community gatherings.
Encouraging both their use and protection, Holy Wells of Ireland delves into these irreplaceable resources of spiritual, archaeological, and historical significance. Reserves of localized spiritual practices, holy wells are also ecosystems in themselves and provide habitats for rare and culturally meaningful flora and fauna. The shift toward a "post-Catholic" Ireland has prompted renewed interest in holy wells as popular domains with organic faith traditions. Of the roughly 3,000 holy wells documented across Ireland, some attract international pilgrims and others are stewarded by a single family. Featuring 140 color images, this remarkable volume shares the transdisciplinary work of contributors who study these wells through the overlapping lenses of anthropology, archaeology, art history, biomedicine, folklore, geography, history, and hydrology. Braiding community perspectives with those of scholars across academia, Holy Wells of Ireland considers Irish holy wells as a resilient feature of ever-evolving Irish Christianity, as inspiration to other faith traditions, as places of pilgrimage and healing, and as threatened biocultural resources.
Encouraging both their use and protection, Holy Wells of Ireland delves into these irreplaceable resources of spiritual, archaeological, and historical significance. Reserves of localized spiritual practices, holy wells are also ecosystems in themselves and provide habitats for rare and culturally meaningful flora and fauna. The shift toward a "post-Catholic" Ireland has prompted renewed interest in holy wells as popular domains with organic faith traditions. Of the roughly 3,000 holy wells documented across Ireland, some attract international pilgrims and others are stewarded by a single family. Featuring 140 color images, this remarkable volume shares the transdisciplinary work of contributors who study these wells through the overlapping lenses of anthropology, archaeology, art history, biomedicine, folklore, geography, history, and hydrology. Braiding community perspectives with those of scholars across academia, Holy Wells of Ireland considers Irish holy wells as a resilient feature of ever-evolving Irish Christianity, as inspiration to other faith traditions, as places of pilgrimage and healing, and as threatened biocultural resources.
About the Authors
Celeste Ray is Professor and Chair of Anthropology and Director of the Environmental Arts and Humanities Program at Sewanee: The University of the South. She is author of The Origins of Ireland's Holy Wells and of Highland Heritage: Scottish Americans in the American South. She is editor most recently of Sacred Waters: A Cross-Cultural Compendium of Hallowed Springs and Holy Wells.<\p> Finbar McCormick is a retired Senior Lecturer from the School of Natural and Built Environment at Queen's University Belfast. He is author (with Aidan O'Sullivan, Thomas R. Kerr, and Lorcan Harney) of Early Medieval Ireland, AD 400–1100: The Evidence from Archaeological Excavations and (with Emily Murray) of Knowth and the Zooarchaeology of Early Christian Ireland.
Reviews
"Deeply rooted in the rich cultural and natural heritage of Ireland, Holy Wells of Ireland celebrates the sacred allure of our holy wells, shedding light on the spiritual, historical, archaeological and ecological significance of these cherished sites. Through the lenses of various disciplines, the contributors unveil the profound connections between faith, pilgrimage, and the preservation of our natural environment. With contributions from a diverse group of experts, this comprehensive exploration offers a multidisciplinary perspective on the significance of holy wells in Irish life and identity. From their spiritual and historical importance to their role in preserving biodiversity, Holy Wells of Ireland serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of holy wells and the urgent need to safeguard the vital elements of our precious biocultural resources."—Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland
"A deep dive into Ireland's divine waterholes, sacred springs, and mystical hydro-portals, this book will change how you regard and experience the landscape of Ireland. Like a powerful well, it bubbles with insights, theories, and fables about these watery realms and therapeutic refuges."—Manchán Magan, author of Listen to the Land Speak
"In pre-Christian times, sacred wells were considered to be a portal to the underworld and the trees that grew beside them a bridge between the earth and the heavens. This book is a magnificent homage to this ancient respect which lingers to this day."—Éanna Ní Lamhna, author of Our Wild World
"A deep dive into Ireland's divine waterholes, sacred springs, and mystical hydro-portals, this book will change how you regard and experience the landscape of Ireland. Like a powerful well, it bubbles with insights, theories, and fables about these watery realms and therapeutic refuges."—Manchán Magan, author of Listen to the Land Speak
"In pre-Christian times, sacred wells were considered to be a portal to the underworld and the trees that grew beside them a bridge between the earth and the heavens. This book is a magnificent homage to this ancient respect which lingers to this day."—Éanna Ní Lamhna, author of Our Wild World
Indiana University Press | |
Irish Culture, Memory, Place | |
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Hardback | |
September 26, 2023 | |
9780253066688 | |
English | |
334 | |
140 color illus. | |
11.00 Inches (US) | |
8.50 Inches (US) | |
$50.00 USD, £39.00 GBP | |
v2.1 Reference | |
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