Memories of Antrim Spa Well

NOWADAYS a mention of a visit to the spa conjures up very different images than it would a century ago.

It’s fluffy dressing gowns, glasses of prosecco, heated pools and perhaps a good old back rub.

But in days of yore, the spa was a special place - magical even.

And Antrim boasted one so famous that people travelled hundreds of miles to drink to their good health from its mystical waters.

Ever heard of it? No, me neither.

Back in 1912 a visitor to the town concluded that the ‘Antrim Spa Well’ was already slipping from public consciousness.

But the intrepid reporter was determined to remedy that by conducting his own tour of the sadly neglected treasure.

And he was surprised by what he found.

‘In a quiet secluded nook overgrown with long waving grasses, half hidden by a mossy bank, a tiny spring bubbles up near the quiet running Six Mile Water: it is the old Spa Well of Antrim.

‘In days gone by it was a famous resort of all the countryside.

‘Certainly the little well teaches us the deep significance of the story of Tennyson’s brook, which babbled out the eloquent truth -

“For men may come and men may go,

But I go on for ever.”

‘For men and maidens, old folk and young prattlers made the spot a meeting ground for holidays, cock-fights and fairs.

‘For miles around could be heard the merry laughter of the children, the brave blast of the coach horn (for the old high road to Dublin ran beside the spot) and the mad mingling shouts of vying vendors’.

Alas, that had all changed.

‘But now, what a contrast! Neglected and forgotten, the well still brings forth its waters, but all round is peace and quietness.

‘The air is full of a saddened memory and the stillness is only broken by the gentle ripple of the slow-moving waters of the river, which glides by in sleepy apathy.

‘Even many of the old inhabitants of Antrim have forgotten its very existence’.

So where should the curious look to see the Spa for themselves?

‘The well is situated about half a mile from the centre of the town, and just where the old coach road (now nothing but a rambling country lane) joins the new high road to Dublin.

‘The natural flatness of the little field beside it was admirably suited for the congregating of the townspeople, whilst the scenery around is truly rural and artistic.

‘It’s history dates back some two hundred years. The water contains a large amount of iron substances which was popularly supposed to emanate from an iron mine in Fairy Hill in the Fir Field, which is situated in the demesne of Antrim Castle.’

And it proved to be quite a draw.

‘People of every class - lords and peasants - came from far and near to drink the health-giving waters.

‘Not so long ago a Manchester merchant, whose children were not in the best of health, visited the well and took some of the water home for medicinal purposes for his family’.

But some were determined not to allow the famous Spa disappear in the mists of time.

‘Mr William Cooper DC, PLG, a well known figure in philanthropic and civic circles in Antrim has, for many years past, been taking a deep interest in the old Spa Well, and by dint of careful, but hard work has succeeded in making the spot presentable for it has become a place of dread decay by reason of its utter neglect.

‘He has also provided a drinking cup, which stands in a niche beside the entrance for the use of visitors.

‘The lord of the soil - Lord Massereene - has also expressed a desire to bring back the old haunt into something of its ancient usefulness.

‘An interesting fact in connection with the well is that one of the Good Templar Lodges in Antrim is still named after it’.

So, cup in hand, did our guide give the waters a taste?

‘Whether the properties of the water - and, truth to tell, its taste is nauseous enough - are beneficial or not is a matter of question.

‘But certainly at one time many people of culture and erudition spoke highly of its efficacy.

‘However, it is a good thing to see an old historic relic, which brings back old world memories, still being retained in its beauty even in the midst of the modern rushing whirlpool of life’.

‘Rushing whirlpool of life’? In 1912? The mind boggles what the scribe would make of Antrim today!

But his plea to retain the remnants of local history still resonates today.

After all, since this piece was written Antrim Castle burned - and then its skeleton was bull-dozed into oblivion.

Future generations of historians will undoubtedly shake their heads in disbelief...