Tipperary native Cáit Ní Riain to feature in TG4 docu-series this Thursday night

“Ag Triall ar an Tobar” is a new 6-part documentary series that dives into the myths and legends associated with Ireland’s Holy wells and asks what is it about these therapeutic landscapes that retain a presence in today’s world?

This Thursday at 8pm, Tipperary native, Cáit Ní Riain, from Upperchurch Hill plunges into Tobar na Molt in North Kerry. Cáit, daughter of Jim of the Mills, is a musician now spending her time between her hometown of Tipperary and West Kerry's Gaeltacht.

 In each episode Presenter Manchán Magan uncovers holy wells that have been sites of worship and prayer for centuries and are still visited today for those seeking comfort and peace.

Where have these rituals come from and who are the people that keep these traditions alive? Have you ever come across a holy well and wondered who else has walked on this path?

Ordnance Survey Ireland claimed there were as many as 3,000 holy wells in Ireland - more than in any other country in the world. This 6-part series is a new format which fuses the exploration of Christianity and Pagan customs with historical record and local knowledge to take us on a journey through some of Ireland’s undiscovered sacred places.

Presenter Manchán Magan treads through history to discover hidden secrets behind these rippled waters. He speaks of some of the customs that visitors to the well would enact, from tying ribbons to nearby trees to circling the well clockwise three times.

He also lists all the potential ailments that might find relief and treatment from the waters of the holy well. These ailments can be a cure for a herd of cattle or a cure for dementia or bi-polar. Each ailment is as relevant today as they were back then.

Each episode in the series delves into a theme, unveiling unique stories, rituals and beliefs associated with a local holy well. From tales of saints and fairies to ancient healing practices and modern day pilgrimages, viewers will be transported into a world where spirituality, folklore and nature intertwine.

Manchán takes a deeper look at the enduring relevance of these sacred sites in today’s society. He examines the reason why these places hold a special place in the hearts of the Irish people, Holy wells in Ireland hold a unique role as symbols of Irish culture and a connection with the natural environment.

These sacred wells pre-date the Christian era, usually dedicated to Saint names that still echo like Bríd, Pádraig and Colmcille, there is clear evidence that they were originally pagan sites. Where once a pagan sacrifice may have taken place, today a bride might look into the waters for good luck, or someone may come in a desperate search for a cure of an illness.

Each attached to their own saints, legends and healing properties, these holy wells have been secret sites of worship and prayers for centuries and are still visited today by those who seek the miraculous cures offered by the waters.

Each sacred well visited acts as a passage into the earth and the Otherworld. Every culture has its own folklore and of course it’s the Irish folklore and storytelling goes way back. A lot of the story behind these wells have been preserved , and that’s how it came to us, from generation to generation.

And there are people who are dedicating their lives to preserving keeping these stories alive so that the next generation have it. There is plenty of research into holy wells but not many wells have been excavated.

In Sligo ATU there is an inspiring project on the go by Dr. Fiona Beglane and local historian Helen Meehan into St. Colmcille’s holy well in Díseart, Donegal. Well enthusiast Amanda Clarke has visited over 300 wells in Cork and Kerry, Manchán and her head out to find what makes the perfect holy well and how do you go about finding them.

Dingle Druid Juilí Ní Mhaoleoin tells us about the importance of this new age of women and women goddesses associated with water and holy wells.

Upperchurch native Cáit Ní Riain plunges into Tobar na Molt in North Kerry. Áine Uí Dhubhshláine, An Ghraig, Corca Dhuibhne in County Kerry has taken it upon herself to preserve and document her local wells to pass the information onto the next generation. Watch this Thursday at 8pm on TG4.