Mayo’s Achill island is first stop on a tour of Ireland’s holy wells for a new documentary series on TG4.
“As islanders we have a special draw to the sea, the sea attracts people and has kept us alive,” the makers of the new documentary series, presented by Manchán Magan, state..
“ Even today more than two million people live within five km of the coast,” they state, and the first episode profiles the wells on the Irish coastline.
“Ag Triall ar an Tobar” “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”.
In the first episode filmed on Achill island, Magan meets John Twin MacConmara and Mary Jo Uí Chaoimh.
Michéal Ó Maoileáin recounts the importance of holy wells to Connemara’s history and Liam Suipéil speaks about St. Declan and his reign in Ardmore, Waterford.
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, and there is clear evidence that they were originally pagan sites.
"Ag Triall ar an Tobar" is produced by Ann Ní Chíobháin, and directed by Medb Johnson of Midas Productions.
The first episode will be broadcast this Thursday, March 14th, on TG4 at 8pm.
