Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions

well- Worship. 241
related that "he preached at a fountain (well) which the
Druids worshipped as a God."
Milligan assures us, "The Celtic tribes, starting from
hot countries, where wells were always of the utmost value,
still continued that reverence for them which had been
handed down in their traditions." This opinion may be
controverted by ethnologists. But Croker correctly declares
that even now in Ireland, " near these wells little altars or
shrines are frequently constructed, often in the rudest
manner, and kneeling before them, the Irish peasant is
offering up his
prayers."
seen
It is not a little singular that these unconfined Irish
churches should be in contiguity with Holy Oaks or Holy
Stones. Prof Harttung, in his Paper before the Historical
Society, remarked of the Irish—" They have from time
immemorial been inclined to superstition." He even
believed in their ancient practice of human sacrifices.
Pilgrimages to wells are frequent to this day.
The times
are fixed for them ;
as the first of February, in honour of
Tober Brigid, or St. Bridget's well, of Sligo. The bushes
are draped with offerings, and the procession must move
round as the sun moves, like the heathen did at the same
spot so long ago. At Tober Choneill, or St. Connell's
well, the correct thing is to kneel, then wish for a favour,
dnnk the water in silence, and quietly retire, never telling
the wish, if desiring its fulfilment.
Unfortunately, these pilgrimages—often to wild localities—are
attended with characteristic devotion to whisky
and free fights. At the Holy Well, Tibber, or Tober,
Ouan, the water is first soberly drunk on the knees. But
when the whisky, in due course, follows, the talking,
singing, laughing, and love-making may be succeeded by
a liberal use of the blackthorn.
In the story of the Well of Kilniorc is an allusion to