Description
A reliable and clean source of water is essential for any community, so it is easy to understand how important wells were for pre-modern peoples. More complex is the mystical relationship humans have developed with these sites, which are imbued with a sacredness that predates Christianity. Holy Wells of Wexford and Pembrokeshire is a series of five chapbooks celebrating holy wells in two regions with common ancestry and history. Since at least the Bronze Age, sea travel between these two lands has meant cross-fertilisation of traditions and common names associated with wells of both regions. Of significance is the long-standing friendship between two early Christian saints: David, who became the first Bishop of St Davids; and Aidan, born in Ireland, who spent time in Wales and then founded monasteries in Ireland, including at Ferns. In Oilgate, Wexford, there is a well dedicated to David and, at Whitesands near St Davids in Pembrokeshire, there is one named after Aidan. Each of the five books approaches the subject from different perspectives and mediums, including fiction, poetry and essays as well as photographs and prints.
About the Author
Phil Cope is a writer, photographer, and exhibition and book designer on a wide range of subjects from Haitian vodou to the Spanish Civil War, from the singer, actor and activist Paul Robeson to the footballer John Charles, from the prehistory of Margam Park to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in addition to his celebrated series of books on Welsh, Cornish, Scottish and English sacred springs and holy wells. Born in Cardiff, and after travelling extensively throughout Europe, North, Central and South America, the Middle East and Asia, he now lives at the dead-end of an ex-coalmining valley, the subject of his most recent publication, The Golden Valley: a visual biography of the Garw. He is currently working on a major new illustrated volume on the wells of Ireland, and a book of narrative poems and photographs on wellspring sites and their stories from around the world.
Book Information
ISBN 9781914595653
Author Phil Cope
Format Paperback
Page Count 45
Imprint Parthian Books
Publisher Parthian Books
About the Author
Phil Cope is a writer, photographer, and exhibition and book designer on a wide range of subjects from Haitian vodou to the Spanish Civil War, from the singer, actor and activist Paul Robeson to the footballer John Charles, from the prehistory of Margam Park to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in addition to his celebrated series of books on Welsh, Cornish, Scottish and English sacred springs and holy wells. Born in Cardiff, and after travelling extensively throughout Europe, North, Central and South America, the Middle East and Asia, he now lives at the dead-end of an ex-coalmining valley, the subject of his most recent publication, The Golden Valley: a visual biography of the Garw. He is currently working on a major new illustrated volume on the wells of Ireland, and a book of narrative poems and photographs on wellspring sites and their stories from around the world.
Book Information
ISBN 9781914595653
Author Phil Cope
Format Paperback
Page Count 45
Imprint Parthian Books
Publisher Parthian Books
