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Ireland's Holy Wells County-by-County

Wells of County Meath

August 15, 2012 St Brigid's Ardsallagh House, Meath (1).JPG

St Brigid's Well Ardsallagh 

The well, located in Ardsallagh, Meath, “is located to the south of the house, not far from the River Boyne. The parish is dedicated to St Brigid” (French 2012: 26). Additionally, Sir William Wilde wrote of St Brigid’s Well in 1849 that "Although a modern cut stone pointed arch has by some tasteless architect been thrown over it, still the thorns and elders that overhang its pure waters, the mullen, the ground ivy and the wild geranium that droop and festoon the adjoining bank and the old carved head of St Brigid, with its plaited hair and prim formal features – the very impression of a mother abbess – all combine to render this once celebrated spot a pleasing picture” (French 2012: 26). The pattern is celebrated the first of February. 

Folklore says that “St Finian of Clonard established a monastery at Ardsallagh and he is said to have been visited by his old teacher, St Brigid. According to another tradition St Brigid was a dairymaid for the local landowner and she is said to have kept butter cool in the well. She allowed poor people to come to the well and take any butter they needed. The landowner was annoyed at this practice and he went to the well to examine how much butter he had lost but discovered, to his surprise, that the firkin was still full to the brim” (French 2012: 26). 

Local records of the well state that “a statue of Our Lady was added, probably by Mrs. McCann of Ardsallagh House, in the early part of the twentieth century. This statue was damaged in recent years by a falling tree and is being restored. The well and grotto are still well kept and St Brigid’s Well is a protected structure under the County Development Plan. Bernadette Murray has written a detailed account of Ardsallagh townland” (French 2012: 26). 

Sources: 

Thunder, John M. “The Holy Wells of Meath.” The Journal of the Royal Historical and
Archaeological Association of Ireland. Oct 1886-Jan 1887, pp 655-658.

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Trim Heritage Centre.

St Brigid's Well Iskaroon

"St Brigid’s Well at Iskaroon, Dunderry, is located near the site of the church and graveyard of St Brigid. The well had a stone plaque which bears the following inscription: “Pray for the soule of of Robert, Lord Baron of Trimlestowne 1687.” The well is associated with the well at Tullaghanogue which bears a similar plaque. In the 1830’s the land was the property of Christopher Barnewall, a member of the Trimlestown family. 

The walls of the church had fallen down by the 1860’s and the graveyard had fallen out of use decades earlier. St Brigid’s Well, a short distance west of the church, was shaded by an elm tree in the 1860’s.

There had been four walls surrounding the well but the front one had disappeared. A schoolgirl recorded that there was about three to four inches of water in the well. A glass had been put in the well to partake of the water but this too had disappeared. A bush grew over the well. 

Today the well is still being used as a source of water. It is now covered with a few corrugated iron sheets but the water is still clear and fresh. The Trimlestown stone sits beside a lone tree on the site of the nearby church and graveyard” (French 2012: 31).

The well is said to cure headaches, and the pattern is celebrated on 1 February. A local story records that “In 1942 the well was located on the lands of Mr. H. Kirwan, Tullyard. The well had almost fallen out of memory. The name of the townland, Iskaroon, Eiscir or Uisce Ruadhain, may be related to Tobar Rua in nearby Kilbride. There is a church dedicated to St Brigid at nearby Kilbride” (French 2012: 31).

Sources: 

Thunder, John M. “The Holy Wells of Meath.” The Journal of the Royal Historical and
Archaeological Association of Ireland. Oct 1886-Jan 1887, pp 655-658.

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.

St Brigid.jpg

Photograph from French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 32.

St Brigid's Well Kilbride 

St Brigid's Well is in Kilbride townland in County Meath, located close to the gate of the graveyard at Baytown. The well is marked by stones that form the side walls and top. A metal gate stands in front of the opening to the well. The pattern day is recognized as St Brigid's Day, February 1.

According to records, St Brigid's Well was restored and blessed by the local ICA in 1993. See Thunder's "The Holy Wells of Meath" for a description of other wells in Kilcloon, Iskaron, and Martry townlands (note Thunder's variance in spelling as St Bridget).

Sources: 

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 25-36.

Thunder, John M. 1886. The Holy Wells of Meath. The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, Fourth Series, 7:68, pp. 655.

 

St Brigid's Well Kilcloon 

Located in Kilcloon, Meath. In the nineteenth century, John Thunder described the well as located “about two miles from Kilcock; it is situated on the side of a circular mound or hill, and an aged ash spreads its branches over it; the diameter of this well is twelve feet four inches” (Thunder 1886: 655). Noel French notes that the area where the well resides is known as "Brideswell." This is one of the hot wells that occur in southern Meath (2012:33). The well is said to cure deafness and ear complaints. 1 February is the pattern day.  

Folklore states that St. Brigid is said to have rested on a mound here while journeying from Faughart, Co. Louth to Kildare and while she rested, the waters sprang up for her refreshment (French, 2012:33). The mound was destroyed in the twentieth century. Due to landowner generosity and local efforts, the well was restored in the Jubilee year of 2000 (French, 2012:34). 

Sources: 

Thunder, John M. “The Holy Wells of Meath.” The Journal of the Royal Historical and
Archaeological Association of Ireland. Oct 1886-Jan 1887, pp 655-658.

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Trim Heritage Centre.

St Brigid's Well Martry

French (2012) records that “St Brigid’s Well is located near the old church at Martry…In 1886 the well was described as being enclosed by a circular of dry masonry and overshadowed by an aged ash tree” (French 2012: 35). Additionally, the well "is reputed to be curative especially for asthma and many rags were hung from the tree above it” (French 2012: 35). Pattern day is 1 February. 

A local story says that “in the 1860s Cogan wrote that a station used to be held at the well on St Brigid’s Day but during the penal days had taken place in a neighbouring farmer’s house" (French 2012: 35). 

Another local story, recorded by Thunder, states that “Martry was celebrated for its ‘Pattern.’ After the Teltown Games were prohibited the people used to assemble occasionally in the neighborhood of Martry, and there carried on their sports, viz. boxing, wrestling, and other athletic exercises. The men of Meath used to boast that they far excelled their neighbors of other counties in physical strength and dexterity” (Thunder 1886: 655). 

Sources: 

Thunder, John M. “The Holy Wells of Meath.” The Journal of the Royal Historical and
Archaeological Association of Ireland. Oct 1886-Jan 1887, pp 655-658.

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.

St Colmcille's Kells.jpg

St Colmcille's Kells,Photograph from French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp.21.

St Colmcille's Well Kells

This ancient well is in Baytown Park, and is located at the terminus of a thoroughly kept trail of grass and stone through a field called Crag Murray (or Flat Swamp). The site immediately surrounding the well includes a superstructure that reflects how the well would have looked long ago (thanks to the 2011 efforts of the Kells Archaeological Society). A three-walled structure with a flat rock covers the surface-point of the water, from which a stone-lined waterway extends in the direction of the return path.

The well is said to heal pain in the head, legs, and teeth, but rites are unknown for achieving curative effects. A Pattern day is held annually on the day of St Colmcille's death, June 9. A Patronal ceremony also takes place here on the eve of the Pattern day.

A local story notes that in the early twentieth century, throngs of people would celebrate on the eve of the Pattern day. They would recite the Holy Rosary to honor Saint Colmcille, and musicians would perform from Kells and sometimes Dublin.

Sources: 

Dempsey, Jim. Megalithic Ireland. "St Colmcille's Well."

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 18-24

Ireland Sacred Water

Thunder, John M. 1886. The Holy Wells of Meath. The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, Fourth Series, 7:68, pp. 656;

August 5, 2012 St Kieran Castlekeeran .JPG

St Kieran's Well

St. Ciarán's (also known as St. Kieran's) Holy Well is near both Castlekeeran and Carnaross townlands (approximately three miles away). The well is made of bedrock and is accessible by crossing one of two bridges across a river. The main well is situated beside a large ash rag tree and has two steps descending into its gorge; two others are proximal and follow along the rock streambed. The smaller well southeast of the main well, referred to as the "chair," is known to offer pilgrims relief from back pain when sat in. The other small well east of this is called the "healing well" and is distinguished by the stream passing through and dispensing two different sides of the stone. This holy well has Celtic origins but was Christianized, which is can be recognized through the Christian shrine atop the hill near closest to the main well.

Water from one side of the "healing well" is meant to cure headaches and the other toothaches. The water in the narrow stream gets rid of warts. To reap headache relief, pilgrims are understood to repeat "Our Fathers" and "Glory be to the fathers" three times each. No matter which well you visit, a visitor is expected to give a votive offering such as a pin or coin to demonstrate appreciation to the genius loci. While there is a proper St. Ciaran's Day on June 14, the pilgrimage to the well takes place separately on the first Sunday of the harvest or Autumn. A variety of rags left on ash tree just beside the main well. Small votives are also left on Christian shrine (e.g. small figurines).

Historically, people have turned up in large numbers—records indicate upwards of three to ten thousand pilgrims between 1913 and 1917—for the St. Ciaran's pattern. According to French, people acknowledge the Five Stations of the Cross at five markers close to the well on the eve of the pilgrimage. Apparently pilgrims said prayers and circled each cross three times, concluding each station with a "drink."

Sir William Wilde, in 1849, described St. Ciaran's Well as the most beautiful holy well in Ireland (Thunder, 1886:656). The well is said to contain several large trout (one story describing three with the names of Faith, Hope, and Charity that surface on the eve of the pattern). Pilgrims respected these trout, however a fisherman caught them and was unaware of their significance, but amid frying, found that the fish were able flee the pan and speak "Leave us back where you got us."

Sources: 

Dempsey, Jim. Megalithic Ireland. "St Ciaran's Well."

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 37-40

Ireland Sacred Water

Thunder, John M. 1886. The Holy Wells of Meath. The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, Fourth Series, 7:68, pp. 656.

St Dympna's Mullen.PNG

St Dympna's Well, Photo by Joan Mullen

St Dympna's Well Kildalkey

This well dedicated to St Dympna (also spelled Dymphna) is in the townland of Kildalkey in County Meath. St Dympna's Well is easily identifiable within a field beside the grounds of an old church by its meter-high stone wall that encircles the well. A metal gate marks the entryway to the well, beside which a sign reads the name of the patron saint.

According to folk tradition, pilgrims may dip cloth into the well then tie around their head to alleviate headache pain. Toothaches may also be helped by simply drinking the water. People believe that the mere presence of the well in Kildalkey helps ward off illness.

St Dympna is commemorated on May 15, the feast day, and is when pilgrims visit to receive cures. In the 1860s and 1880s the well was thought to have dried up, yielding a case of the associated pattern day. Through the 1900s the well was neglected until 1999, when a local retirement association re-opened and revitalized the site.

Folklore states that the well appeared after St Dympna cried with such vigor following runaway from her father, a pagan, that a well appeared at her feet. She is regarded as the "patroness of the nervous, emotionally disturbed and the mentally ill" and can be seen in stained glass depictions in churches throughout Ireland.

Sources: 

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 69-71.

Meath Field Names

Thunder, John M. 1886. The Holy Wells of Meath. The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, Fourth Series, 7:68, pp. 657.

St Finian's Clonard.jpg

St Finian's Well, Clonard, Photograph from Noel French

St Finian's Mullen.PNG

St Finian's Well, Photo by Joan Mullen

St Finian's Well Clonard

The well is accessible along the Clonard Heritage Trail which is maintained to facilitate pilgrimage.

Cures were attributed to the waters of St. Finian's Well. St. Finian is said to have bestowed a blessing on the people of Clonard whereby nobody from the area would ever be killed by lightning.

St Finian was revered as a great teacher, at one point teaching over three thousand students at his school in Clonard before dying from yellow fever in 548. Today, the feast day for St Finian of Clonard is celebrated on December 12.

Sources: 

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 41-3.

Meath Field Names

St John's Well Warrenstown (destroyed) 

St John's Well is situated on the grounds of former Salesian College, Warrenstown (now privately owned) in Drumree. The well is located in a beautiful location surrounded by the trees of the Dunsany Estate.

There is a story that an former owner of Warrenstown House lost his walking stick in River Jordan, and that it came up in this well! Also some story of fish appearing in well at midnight on certain days of year. It was believed that the well had a "cure". 

The pattern day is June 29th and is celebrated last Sunday in June. Offerings of cloth, rings, religious pictures are usually placed on the branches of nearby bushes. Until the1950s, there was a huge turn-out on pattern day and the rosary was recited. However, in the19th century there was a fair held here as well as prayers. Eventually the fair was stopped because of the amount of "drink taken" and all kinds of "debauchery."

St Kevin's Clonabreany.jpg

St Kevin's Well, Photo by Noel French

St Kevin's Well Clonabreany 

This well, dedicated to St Kevin is situated across the way from Clonabreany graveyard with "five steps leading down to the well which was covered by a corbelled roof." Following dilapidation due to a tree's overbearing root system the well was restored in 1990 with the addition of a stone wall.

Water from the well may help with warts, toothache, and headache. According to French, "anyone wishing to be cured of toothache should take three drinks of water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." The pattern day of Clonabreany is acknowledged as St Kevin's Day, September 14. No votive offerings have been left at the well since 1971, when the large ash rag tree fell.

St Kevin founded a monastery at Clonabreany and used the well for the baptism of his earliest converts. Additionally, the well was the apparent site of murder of landowner and baby by English soldiers .

Sources: 

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 88-9.

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St Patrick's Well, Photo by Noel French

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Interior of St Patrick's Well, Carlanstown. Photo by Admonán

St Patrick's Well Carlanstown 

St Patrick's Well is located in Carlanstown in County Meath. This well is said to be along the path of St Patrick's travels from Meath to Cavan and is situated within the Green at Carlanstown nearby the National School. The well is covered by a dome of granite blocks. There appears to be a cross represented in the stone formation and red colored flagstone inside the well.

The well has long been visited on St. Patrick's Day. People collect water for washing one's eyes to to cure any ailment, but not before "[saying] six 'Hail Marys." Additionally, is is believed that cooking with the water will ensure good health.

According to local folklore some features of the well reflect St Patrick's engagement with the landscape in his first journey. The red color in the flagstone within the well came by legend from his injured and bleeding toe. Two small holes are said to be the impressions of his toe and finger (water from them is thought to be healing).

Sources: 

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 1-17.

Thunder, John M. 1886. The Holy Wells of Meath. The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, Fourth Series, 7:68, pp. 655.

St Patrick's Well 

This well was recorded in 1886 as being located in the barony of Morgallion in County Meath. The well “was a favourite place of pilgrimage on the vigil of the Apostle’s feast” (Thunder 1886: 655). 

Sources: 

Thunder, John M. “The Holy Wells of Meath.” The Journal of the Royal Historical and
Archaeological Association of Ireland. Oct 1886-Jan 1887, pp 655-658.
St Patrick's Tara.jpg

Well of the White Cow, Photo by Noel French

St Patrick's Well (Well of the White Cow) 

This well, dedicated to St Patrick, is located in the bend of a field on the eastern slope of hill in Tara, and is recognizable by the stone path that leads from the road to its stone-lain mouth. Votive offerings such as bracelets or bows are tied to the metal grate at the mouth of the well.

This holy well is said to be of pagan origin and went through many iterations of names such as "Well of the Dark Eye" or "Caprach Cormac" before a 2002 restoration by the National Well Restoration Society and The Friends of Tara Group.

Sources: 

Dempsey, Jim. Megalithic Ireland. "Well of the White Cow."

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 1-17;

Ireland Sacred Water.

St Scire's.jpg

St Scire's Well, Photo by Noel French

St Scire's Mullen.PNG

St Scire's Well, door close up, photo by Joan Mullen

St Scire well Kilskyre 2019.JPG

St Scire's Well

This well has recently been restored by the community of Kilskyre, appearing now as a sturdy stone superstructure. The stones form an arch over the mouth of the well, which has a metal gate at its immediate entry. The stone walls form an "L" shape with the short length facing the road, which is just a few steps away. St Scire's Well—along with two others in Kilskyre: "the Well of Miracles" and "the Heavenly Stone Well"—is said to cure diseases, though none in particular are specified.

The pattern day is apparently disputed in historical records with disparities in dates among calendars (e.g. Calendar of Cashel versus the Irish Calendar). St Scire's Day appears to have been celebrated on March 24.

There are a number of claims of wells dedicated to or blessed by St Scire in separate locations, including a well at Clonabreany that is better known as "St. Kevin's Well."

Sources: 

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 93-4.

Meath Field Names

Thunder, John M. 1886. The Holy Wells of Meath. The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, Fourth Series, 7:68, pp. 656-7;

St. Patrick's Well (Killfannin Well) Shancor

Shancor Holy Well (also called Killfannin Well)is in Shancor, Corcorra and  is dedicated to St Patrick. The well is situated about one mile along the Glen Road on the Bailieborough road from Kilmainhamwood, before the crossroads known locally as "Diana's Cross."

The well is visited for cure of ailments, such as toothaches, warts, and eye ailments. Pattern day celebrations were held on the first Sunday in August and cattle were driven from neighbouring parts of East Cavan and North Meath because it was believed the well water had curative power. The tradition of Pattern Day on the first Sunday in August died out in the 1880s, but was revived in 1932. The following year Rev. Fr. Small P.P. had a small cross erected next to the well. Pattern Day celebrations at Shancor died out again by the end of the late 1940s. It was revived again in 1983, the 50th anniversary of 1933 and lasted a few years. In the past, cattle were driven from the neighbouring areas to the well on the first Sunday in August.

To obtain a cure follow these two steps:

1. A coin, medal, pin, or needle is thrown into the well.

2. A prayer of the person's choice is said at each corner of the well.

There was a prophecy in connection with the well that "the wagons of war would pass within a pistol shot of the holy well," which was deemed to have been fulfilled with the passing lorries of the Black and Tans during the War of Independence.

Trinity Well Painestown

The well is located in Painestown, Meath, near the Thurstianstown House (in the 1830s). The NFC has a child's account of the well as a panacea. 

The Stations of the Cross used to be recited here on Trinity Sunday.” (MacNamidhe 1953:6). Noel Friench notes a pattern was held here on the first Sunday of August (2012:103). 
As with many stories about wells when their water is used to cure an animal, the water then delivers the ailment or curse to the human instead. A man brought his blind horse to the well and the horse was cured, but he lost his sight (French, 2012:103).
Sources: 
MacNamidhe, Sean. “The Parish of Drakestown.” Meath Chronicle. Apr 4, 1953, pp 6.

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Trim Heritage Centre.

Tobar Naoimh Ana Stephenstown 

This well is also called "Tobernaveenog," "Tubbernavena," and sometimes St. Anna's Well. The holy well is located in Stephenstown in County Meath. The well was enclosed by a stone house built in 1738 and was located on top of Galtrim esker (French, 2012:101). A pattern is celebrated the 15th August according to MacNamidhe, and the first Sunday in August according to French. 

Sources: 

MacNamidhe, Sean. “The Parish of Drakestown.” Meath Chronicle. Apr 4, 1953, pp 6.

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.

St Ultan's Ardbraccan.jpg

St Ultan's Well, Photo by Noel French

Sept 3 2017 Pattern St Ultan Pattern Ardbraccan.JPG

St Ultan's Well Ardbraccan

St Ultan's Well is in Ardbraccan in County Meath. This well is proximal to the land of Ardbraccan House. A visitor will find the well over nine feet in diameter with six steps down into its stone basin. 

The well may hold cures for tooth aches and eye pain, which may be achieved by either drinking or washing the problem area, respectively. Pilgrims may wash their feet in the well to cure sore feet.

Historical records indicate a range of patterns between the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Until 1850 pilgrims held stations on the eve of St Ultan's Day, September 4. This tradition faded until the 1920s into the 1950s when there was a resurgence of pilgrims visiting the well. French (2012) writes, "In the 1930s there was a pilgrimage of St. Ultan's Well every year on the first Sunday in September and the Rosary was recited in Irish... today the well is dry." Current gatherings at the well on the saint's feast day in the second decade of the 21st century range in attendance from 20 to 40 people. The well has dried in part due to zinc mining in the vicinity.

St Ultan is known to have been a devout humanitarian, offering food, clothes, and education to over 500 children orphaned by the yellow plague. Given this history, St Ultan's inspired the 1919 founding of Dublin City's St Ultan's Hospital for Infants, which closed in 1975.

Sources: 

Thunder, John M. 1886. The Holy Wells of Meath. The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, Fourth Series, 7:68, pp. 656.

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 60-2.

Wells of County Meath