Kidwelly Marks Easter with Traditional Blessing of Historic Wells

Over the Easter Weekend, Carmarthenshire News Online followed Jim Flanagan, the presiding Vicar in Kidwelly since March 2023, on his journey to the local spring, St Mary’s Well, as part of a moving Easter morning tradition rooted in the town’s rich past.

Now celebrating his fourth Easter in the parish, Fr Jim brings a unique perspective shaped by his degree in archaeology and years spent working on digs across various sites. His passion for history has seen him revive a number of traditional services and customs, strengthening the connection between Kidwelly’s heritage and its present-day community.

The day began with a well attended 6.30am sunrise service held on a beautifully clear Easter Sunday morning. Following the service, Fr Jim made his way around some of the more accessible wells in and around the town, natural springs that have long been part of Kidwelly’s landscape and folklore.

At Ffynnon Mair (St Mary’s Well), a site believed to have origins predating Christianity, visitors once dropped pins into the water while making wishes, a tradition remembered and honoured as part of the blessing. He also visited Ffynnon Eiddion, historically associated with healing properties, and Ffynnon Diana.

Continuing his journey, Fr Jim travelled up to Mynyddygarreg mountain, where he offered a wider blessing over the many other wells across the area, as well as over the town and its people.

Flanagan has continued to uphold a long standing tradition in Kidwelly through the blessing of the town’s historic wells, an act that reflects both continuity and care for local heritage.

With his background in archaeology and a strong appreciation for history, he has placed particular emphasis on reviving and maintaining these smaller, often overlooked rituals that once formed an important part of community life. In doing so, he highlights how such practices are not merely symbolic gestures, but meaningful connections between past and present.

The blessings serve as a reminder of the cultural and spiritual significance of Kidwelly’s natural springs, while also reinforcing the value of shared tradition. Through these simple acts, Fr Jim continues to draw attention to the enduring importance of place, memory, and community identity in everyday life.

Photo by Tessa Finch