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A woman prays at a stone cross during a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid at the holy well of St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland, February 1, 2017. Located at a site of pre-Christian Lughnasadh celebrations, Dabhach Bhríde (or Brigid's Vat) is found near the Cliffs of Moher, and behind the well on a higher level, to which steps lead, is an ancient cemetery. There is a large cross here and a circular path around it, and part of the Rite of the Holy Well is performed in this area known as the Ula Uachtarach or upper sanctuary. The well, dedicated to Brigid of Kildare, is in the lower ground, the Ula íochtarach or lower sanctuary, enclosed in a little house full of votive offerings such as holy pictures, rosaries, medals and so forth left by pilgrims. Small items which people carry around with them, such as pens, biros and combs, are commonly found also as offerings at wells. The well has been the subject of a popular pilgrimage since at least the 1830s, when following a personal cure which he attributed to the waters of the well, Cornelius O'Brien had the well house built. Many pilgrims from all over County Clare and from the Aran Islands came to Liscannor. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A woman prays at a stone cross during a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid at the holy well of St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland, February 1, 2017. Located at a site of pre-Christian Lughnasadh celebrations, Dabhach Bhríde (or Brigid's Vat) is found near the Cliffs of Moher, and behind the well on a higher level, to which steps lead, is an ancient cemetery. There is a large cross here and a circular path around it, and part of the Rite of the Holy Well is performed in this area known as the Ula Uachtarach or upper sanctuary. The well, dedicated to Brigid of Kildare, is in the lower ground, the Ula íochtarach or lower sanctuary, enclosed in a little house full of votive offerings such as holy pictures, rosaries, medals and so forth left by pilgrims. Small items which people carry around with them, such as pens, biros and combs, are commonly found also as offerings at wells. The well has been the subject of a popular pilgrimage since at least the 1830s, when following a personal cure which he attributed to the waters of the well, Cornelius O'Brien had the well house built. Many pilgrims from all over County Clare and from the Aran Islands came to Liscannor. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



People leave mass through a St. Brigid's girdle which blesses them after a Pattern Day mass to St. Brigid beside the holy well of St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

People leave mass through a St. Brigid's girdle which blesses them after a Pattern Day mass to St. Brigid beside the holy well of St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



Fr. Denis Crosby blesses a live lamb during a Pattern Day mass to St. Brigid at the holy well of St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Fr. Denis Crosby blesses a live lamb during a Pattern Day mass to St. Brigid at the holy well of St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A man prays at the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A man prays at the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A man prays by a statue of St. Mary at holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A man prays by a statue of St. Mary at holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



People queue to drink water from the holy well of St. Brigid and leave votive offerings on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

People queue to drink water from the holy well of St. Brigid and leave votive offerings on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



People queue to drink water from the holy well of St. Brigid and leave votive offerings on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

People queue to drink water from the holy well of St. Brigid and leave votive offerings on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



People leave votive offerings at the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

People leave votive offerings at the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A man bends down to drink water from the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A man bends down to drink water from the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A man bends down to drink water from the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A man bends down to drink water from the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A woman fills a bottle with water from the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A woman fills a bottle with water from the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



Fr. Denis Crosby blesses a live lamb during a Pattern Day mass to St. Brigid at the holy well of St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Fr. Denis Crosby blesses a live lamb during a Pattern Day mass to St. Brigid at the holy well of St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A woman makes a cross from reeds at the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A woman makes a cross from reeds at the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A woman prays at a stone cross during a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid at the holy well of St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland, February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A woman prays at a stone cross during a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid at the holy well of St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland, February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A woman lights a candle at the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A woman lights a candle at the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



Women leave the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Women leave the holy well of St. Brigid on a Pattern Day pilgrimage to St. Brigid in Liscannor, Ireland February 1, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)
03 Feb 2017 06:55:00