03/06/2024
Tobar na Gealt' (in Irish) - The Well of the Lunatics
(Camp, Co Kerry)
"The Cure in the Water"
I recently had the joy of visiting this well - known throughout ancient times...
These kind of ancient sites steeped in mythology, but always with a grain of truth or root of healing wisdom are literally part of what make my heart sing in Irish culture.
The well is situated at the bottom of the valley of Gleann na nGealt. It is known as the Valley of the Mad, because of a belief that a cure for mental illness exists in a well which is situated in the valley. .
This magical valley has been visited by Kings, Druids, spiritualists and according to legend, even the wizard Merlin, to access its healing powers throughout time.
The book “On the Trail of Merlin” talks about Merlin's adventures and wanderings throughout the British Isle and talks extensively of his stay at Gleann na nGealt.
Gleann na nGealt is said to be a place where you would go instinctively if you needed healing. Stories tell of drinking the well water and eating the watercress from around the well and their healing properties. The water itself, comes from deep in the bowels of the earth and passes through a lithium rock formation which filters the water and gives it pure healing properties.
In July, 2012 a chemical analysis was carried out on the waters of Gleann na nGealt and at this well there was found to be 55.6 parts per billion of Lithium, in the water. This is much higher than than the Lithium content recorded in other water samples in the locality.
Lithium is often used in the treatment of mental illness and it would suggest that people in olden times came to the valley for the cure and that there was indeed some basis to the story of the “cure in the water”.
