Wells and Village Pumps
Throughout 2023 and 2024, the Claregalway Historical and Cultural Society have identified, documented and surveyed 96 historic wells and 10 pumps in the parish. We now present here our study of the wells and village pumps, examining their styles, names, locations, and associated folklore, memories and meaning.(please email: [email protected] for details), and a corresponding E-pub format is available at the link here
Loading...
Reload document 
Open in new tab The Parish of Claregalway lies on a bed of karstic limestone with thin, permeable soils and expanses of deep basin peat. Though the River Clare crosses the parish, there is little other natural surface water flow outside the lattice of 19th and 20th-century bog drains. During periods of high rainfall, natural springs bubble up from the aquifers in the Viséan limestone below, sometimes spilling into turloughs. In dry spells, water drains rapidly through the shallow soils and the land becomes parched.
The pursuit of water is something the people of the parish have struggled with for centuries. From a reliance on springs and vernacular wells, to the establishment of Group Water Schemes, and finally connection to the municipal water supply, securing a reliable source of fresh drinking water—particularly during the summer months—has long been a concern for the inhabitants of the parish.
The Claregalway Historical & Cultural Society would like to acknowledge funding received for this publication from the Irish Community Archive Network (iCAN) Community Fund 2025 - a branch of the National Museum of Ireland.
Physical copies of the book are available at the local shops in Claregalway village. If you would like to order a physical copy, please email: [email protected] for details. The book is also available in E-pub format at the link here