Healing Waters

Bringing together a range of different place-studies, including holy wells, spa towns, Turkish baths and sweat-houses, sea-bathing and the modern spa, this book investigates associations between water, health, place and culture in Ireland. It is informed by a humanistic approach, showing how health and place are socially and culturally constructed and how health is embodied, experienced and enacted in place. In addition, the work argues that an understanding of health and place must also consider the historical, societal and cultural orthodoxies that shape and produce those places.

Ronan Foley is a lecturer in Geography at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland

List of Figures and Tables, List of Boxes, Preface, Acknowledgements, 1 I ntroduction, 2 Holy Wells: The Faith Cure, 3 Spa Towns: The Rest Cure, 4 Turkish Baths and Sweat-houses: The Sweating Cure, 5 Sea Bathing: The Thalassic Cure, 6 The Modern Spa: The Relaxation Cure, 7 Conclusion, Glossary, Bibliography, Index