Dublin Core
Title
St. Ciaran's Holy Well
Description of Well Item Type Metadata
1 Name of well and saint
St. Ciaran's Holy Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Clonmacnoise, County Offaly
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well is in the middle of a gravel patch of land that fades into the surrounding field. There is also a tree, a stone cross-slab, and a stone crucifix on opposite sides of the well. The well itself is a stone-lined hole, with steps leading down to it. Now the entire area is surrounded by gates and immediately surrounding the well is a wooden barrier and ramp.
4 Cure
In the Schools Collection of Folklore, there is a story of the well water being used to bring back an old woman's strength. (SFC 0811, 133)
Another example from the Schools Collection of Folklore describes the well's water being used to cure a stomach ache. (SFC 0811, 136)
Another example from the Schools Collection of Folklore describes the well's water being used to cure a stomach ache. (SFC 0811, 136)
5 Pattern day
September 9th
7 Prayer rounds and stations
This well was part of a larger pilgrimage, referred to as the 'Long Station.' Traditionally done barefoot, this well was the first stop on the long station where practitioners would make their rounds. After circumnavigating the well, pilgrims would stop at the crucifix to pray and kiss Christ's head. They would then pray at one of the headstones, only one of which still exists. Following the first stop of the long station pilgrims would then make their way to the Nuns Church for the second stop, and finally at St. Fingins well in Kinnity for the last stop.
8 Stories
An entry into the Schools Collection of Folklore from Mrs. Bridget Daly tells of the time an old woman used the well water to cure an illness as directed from a numinous being.
Once upon a time there was an old woman who lived in Moystown. One day she felt very sick and the Doctor and priest came to her and said there was no hopes of recovery.
One night about twelve o'clock the room was lit up, and a beautiful lady appeared to her, and all dressed in white and spoke to this poor old woman and asked here did she ever hear tell of St Ciaran's holy well and she said she often heard tell of it, but she said she never saw it.
This beautiful lady told her then to go get a bottle of it, and take a spoonful every morning for nine mornings. Then the lady disappeared and the old woman sent for a bottle of St Ciaran's water and she done what the lady told her. Every morning she felt stronger after taking the holy water, and on the ninth day she was able to get up and do here usual work in the house. she lived to be a great age after that and went to see St Ciaran's well always after that. (SFC 0811, 133)
Once upon a time there was an old woman who lived in Moystown. One day she felt very sick and the Doctor and priest came to her and said there was no hopes of recovery.
One night about twelve o'clock the room was lit up, and a beautiful lady appeared to her, and all dressed in white and spoke to this poor old woman and asked here did she ever hear tell of St Ciaran's holy well and she said she often heard tell of it, but she said she never saw it.
This beautiful lady told her then to go get a bottle of it, and take a spoonful every morning for nine mornings. Then the lady disappeared and the old woman sent for a bottle of St Ciaran's water and she done what the lady told her. Every morning she felt stronger after taking the holy water, and on the ninth day she was able to get up and do here usual work in the house. she lived to be a great age after that and went to see St Ciaran's well always after that. (SFC 0811, 133)
9 Publications
Schools' Collection of folklore. Vol 0811, pages 132-136
http://www.megalithicireland.com/index.html
http://www.megalithicireland.com/index.html