St. Senan Holy Well Trail project

County Clare is blessed with a remarkable wealth of holy wells, each with its own stories, customs and local traditions. However. wells are being lost and forgotten even in our local county each year.

We will launch a new Camino-style pilgrimage symbol to identify and preserve the network of ancient wells that have shaped our communities for centuries.

The first waymark will be placed by designer, Tom da Paor, a Clare native and Aosdana architect during the event. This symbol will next extend to West Clare communities where there are also wells dedicated to St. Senans (there were two!) and is scaleable to all holy wells throughout the island for sustainable tourism.

Wells are living links to our ancestors and pilgrimage is beyond religion. It is about experiencing the richness of our heritage. August 15th in Doonass is a wonderful opportunity to engage with the past and meet new people who wish to connect with this sacred land.

Clonlara Development Association looks forward to welcoming people of faith, historians, families and anyone seeking peace and a chance to reflect on the importance of holy wells in Ireland with speakers on the day and other associated events lead by Clonlara Heritage Group.

We are grateful to the Clare Heritage Officer for her encouragement and Clare Local Area Grant Scheme for funding and for a custom-engineered stencil, kindly created and donated by Graepels.

National first way-marking - live
Talks and tales of ancient wells
Time to reflect on our shared sacred heritage