THE IRISH PENNY JOURNAL.
| Number 51. | SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1841. | Volume I. |
SAINT SENAN’S WELL, COUNTY OF CLARE.
There are perhaps no objects in our own dear Ogygia, orSacred Island, as it was also anciently called, which strikethe minds of strangers with greater surprise, and excitethem to more meditative reflection, than the holy wells whichare so numerous in it, and the religious observances—to themso strange—which they see practised at them. By the devoutof the reformed creeds, among such observers, these sacredfountains, with their adjacent and almost equally sacred trees,covered with bits of rag and other votive offerings of propitiationor gratitude to the presiding spirit of the spot, who isgenerally the patron saint of the district, are usually regardedwith horror, as objects closely allied to pagan idolatry; andthe religious devotions which they see practised at them exciteonly feelings of pity or contempt for what they consider thedebased intellect of the votaries who frequent them. By thepainter, poet, and the mere man of taste, however, they areviewed in a spirit of greater toleration, and with a more pleasinginterest, particularly in the western portions of our island,where the wild scenery amid which they are generally to bemet with, the symmetrical forms and often beautiful faces ofthe devotees, and the brilliant colours of their ancient nationalcostumes, impart that interest and picturesqueness to thespectacle of which our own great national painter Burtonhas so admirably availed himself, and made familiar to theworld, in his picture of the Blind Girl at the Holy Well. Itis, however, by the antiquary and the philosopher that theyare viewed with the deepest interest, for to the one they presentin all their vividness the still existing images of customswhich originated in the earliest period of the history of ourrace, while to the other they supply the most touching evidencesof the strength of that devotional instinct, howeverblind and misapplied, that humble faith in the existence andomnipotence of a Divine Intelligence, which are among theloftiest feelings of our nature, and which, when properly directed,must lead to the noblest results. In the minds ofsuch philosophers, a contemplation of the usages to which wehave referred will be apt to excite, not feelings of depressionand despondency, but rather cheering anticipations of hopefor the future prospects and ultimate happiness of the humanrace; and they who practise those usages will be regarded,even in their present meanness of garb, and concomitant vulgarityof habits, not as degraded outcasts from society, grovellingin the mire of ignorance and superstition, but asmembers of the universal human family, to be tolerated andcherished in all kindliness; while, with respect to their peculiardevotion, for which so many censure them, it can still besaid,
The Pagan origin of well-worship is now established beyondthe possibility of contradiction, and its extreme antiquityis lost in the night of time. This has been satisfactorilyshown in