Fishstonewater : holy wells of Ireland / written by Anna Rackard ; photography by Liam O'Callaghan ; introduction by Angela Bourke.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rackard, Anna.

Contributor:

O'Callaghan, Liam.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Holy wells--Ireland--Pictorial works.

Holy wells.

Folklore--Ireland--Pictorial works.

Folklore.

Ireland--Religious life and customs--Pictorial works.

Ireland.

Genre:

Pictorial works.

Illustrated works.

Physical Description:

144 pages : illustrations (some color), map ; 19 x 28 cm

Other Title:

Fish stone water

Place of Publication:

Cork : Atrium, 2001.

Summary:

Holy wells are places of popular religious devotion. At many of them the waters are believed to have healing powers; some are even supposed to have power over the weather. There are hundreds of these wells all over Ireland, many of them still in use. They vary greatly in appearance -- some are very simple, decorated only with rounded river pebbles, while others are highly ornate and adorned with holy statues, medals, rosary beads, flowers, and candles. This book captures the unique spirit of fifty wells (of the 200 visited by the authors) through stunning photography and illuminating text, exploring the individuality of each well, their many forms and setting, and the assorted personal offerings that decorate them. Many are endangered archaeological sites. The authors visited the wells on their special days of devotion, "pattern days, " to record the activities at those shrines. A map and glossary are also included.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 141-144).

ISBN:

0953535312

OCLC:

48467755