Pilgrim Ways

Many important stories in the Bible are centred around wells which were places where God was revealed and relationships were formed: for example, Moses to Zipporah (Ex.2:15-22), the Samaritan woman (Jn:4 6-30). Local areas have their own traditions and customs around holy wells. They are usually called after a saint, though there are some wells dedicated to Jesus. In the Dublin Diocese one of the finest pilgrimage sites is to be found at Glendalough, the Valley of the Two Lakes. Its founder was Saint Kevin (Coemgen/Caoimhin) who is thought to have died between 618 and 622. It is also associated with St.Laurence O‟Toole, who was Abbot of Glendalough in 1153 and Archbishop of Dublin in 1162.

The traditional pilgrim route begins where St.Kevin began his search for God, near Wicklow‟s Hollywood. Cross-slabs and other markers still signpost St.Kevin‟s Way to Glendalough. On arrival, St.Kevin settled by the beautiful south shore of the upper lake and became totally absorbed in the spiritual life.

The Irish poet, Seamus Heaney, in his poem “St.Kevin and The Blackbird” (The Spirit Level), captures the spirit of the place: Alone and mirrored clear in love‟s deep river, “To labour and not to seek reward,”he prays, A prayer his body makes entirely For he has forgotten self, forgotten bird And on the river bank forgotten the river‟s name.

Along the pilgrim way are the Healing Pool at Glendassan River and St.Kevin‟s Well. The Poulanass Waterfall is a good place to stop and reflect on the hectic rush of our lives and to contrast the speed and force with the tranquillity of the deep pools and the wells.

Elsewhere in the Dublin Diocese there are other well known wells: St.Bridget‟s Well, Castleknock; St.Patrick‟s Well, Finglas; St.Margaret‟s Well (St.Canice‟s Parish), Finglas; Lady‟s Well at Mulhuddart; St Donagh‟s Well at Kilbarrack; St.Moling‟s Well, Tobar ba gCluas; and St.Colmcille‟s Well, Ceile De; St.Maelruin‟s Graveyard and Tree, Tallaght; St.Kevin‟s Well, Kilnamanagh; St.Begnet‟s Well, Dalkey; St.MacCullin‟s Well, St.Catherine‟s Well, and St.Fintan‟s Well at Sutton; St.Colmcille‟s Well, Swords; St.Patrick‟s Well, Moone; and Holy Wells, Maynooth.

The Diocese suggests a liturgy which may be used by pilgrims. It includes the prayer: Bless again this water, source of life and nourishment, It gives fullness to all living things and Refreshes and cleanses us.

Protect us from all danger, ill health and broken dreams.

May we always thirst for you, knowing that you Alone can satisfy our quest for freedom and wholeness.

Give us living water, Today and always and bring us to Salvation and new life.

The prayer is followed by a Scripture Reading from St.John Gospel (4: 11-14): The woman said to Him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be