Wells of County Tipperary
The Wells of County Tipperary
St. Berrihert's Well
St Comcille's Well
St Columb's Well is also known as St Colmcille's Well and is in the townland of Carrownaglogh. Located north of Terryglass village 3m west of a nearby stream with a linear earthwork nearby; part of the monastic complex. A roughly circular shaped well (0.68 x 0.6m; D 0.25m) enclosed by a semicircular shaped stone wall (H 0.85m; T 0.3m). There is a small crucifix in a niche on the inner face of the enclosing wall”
The well is used by local people for the curative powers for headaches.
Farrelly, Jean and Caimin O’Brien. 2002. Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary- North Tipperary. Vol 1. Dublin : Stationery Office.
PP 273- 278.
St Commaneth's Well
St Commaneth's Well is in Ballyard, situated at the base of a W-facing slope of rising ground with a church and graveyard to the Northwest. A disused holy well originally enclosed by a drystone wall and is now enclosed by modern concrete surrounded with broken statues on a shelf to the North of the well.
St Conan's Well
St Conan's Well is situated in a slight hollow on a North-facing slope of rising ground in an upland area with a modem road directly to the North. A natural spring well enclosed by a drystone wall surround.
A variety of personal effects are left behind at the well.
Farrelly, Jean and Caimin O’Brien. Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary -North Tipperary. Vol 1. PP 273- 278.
St Conlan's Well
Situated in a hillocky area on an East-facing slope in Youghalvillage. This holy well, dedicated to St Conlan, is a natural spring which flows into an open pool. Though not marked on the 6-in OS map, a lane leads from the main track right up to the well. Maintained and still visited, the well is enclosed by a hexagonal dry tone wall (diam. c.1.3m; H c. 1m) and is covered by a flat slab of late which has been partially cut to allow easy access to the water. Opening to Southeast, it is flanked on either side by walling terminating with boulders, with flagstones flooring this entrance area. This walling continues to enclose the hillock for a further 2-3.5m on either side of the entrance. Several small wooden crosses, painted Marian blue, have been inserted on top of this wall and on the hillock surrounding the well, including one fixed to an adjacent ash tree with a small crucifix placed in the centre.
Its waters are thought to cure multiple illnesses.
St Conlan's festival is on the 25th or 29th of July, and this is potentially a Lughnasa site.
There is a rag bush in front of the well and a wooden altar to the rear containing a statue of the Virgin and child.
Farrelly, Jean and Caimin O’Brien. Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary- North Tipperary. Vol 1. PP 273- 278.
St James's Well
Located in Kilkip West, the well is a spring in natural rock at the base of a steep slope with continues to fall to the Southeast... A concrete sill was erected some years ago with 'Saint James' inscribed on the cement. The well consists of a roughly semicircular area (diam. 2m) with a large ash tree growing on the slope immediately to the North.
The well has curative powers for diseases and toothache.
The School's Manuscripts states that the well was moved northward from its original position ... near the village of Killea.
Farrelly, Jean and Caimin O’Brien. Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary -North Tipperary. Vol 1. PP 273- 278.
St John's Well
St John's Well is situated in a slight hollow on the south bank of a river in Nenagh North. A stone-faced square- shaped well (dims. 1m x 1m x 0.75m D) with a stream flowing out of the north face into the nearby river. The well is contained within a large concrete wall.
The well was visited in the 19th century on this feast day for its curative powers.
The pattern day is on June 24. A local brass band plays at the annual gathering.
The well is nicely maintained, but no longer receives votive offerings.
Farrelly, Jean and Caimin O’Brien. Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary -North Tipperary. Vol 1. PP 273- 278.
Lady's Well, Mallauns
Situated on a gentle West-facing slope in Mallauns, Lady's Well flows west into Drish River. The precise location is difficult to ascertain as a pump-house, water tank and well with concrete lining have been constructed at this location.
The holy well was the focus of a pattern on the feast of the Assumption on August 15, the men visiting the well in the morning and the women in the evening. A stone, formerly placed at the right-hand side of the gate entering Lady's Well from the Mill Road, was usually struck three times in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Coins were thrown into the well and rags were hung on a nearby bush.
Visiting this well was less common after 1848 because a company of soldiers were stationed nearby.
Farrelly, Jean and Caimin O’Brien. Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary -North Tipperary. Vol 1. PP 273- 278.
Tobar Losa
The well is off of the Tipperary Road on the outskirts of Cahir. It has a very long association with the town of Cahir. Unfortunately, about five years or more, ago the well was destroyed by an anti religious fanatic. A cabinet at the well was made by the contributor, Kevin O'Connor's grandfather many years ago. The well is still there and should be restored.
There was a small tree beside the well where locals attached pieces of clothing.
Naomh Crannachán
Learn more about Naomh Crannachán at Seamus Sweeney's blog.
Toberonan
Toberonan, in Glenmore Upper, is dedicated to St Odhran. In a marshy hollow in an upland area with a nearby church to the northwest, a circular well is enclosed by a drystone wall surviving three courses high with a small stream flowing out from the north face of the well.
The well possesses “curative properties for sore eyes and headaches. Cures were obtained by placing a stone on top of your head.
A pilgrimage is made to the well on August 15. Prayer stations are performed on October 27.
Farrelly, Jean and Caimin O’Brien. Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary -North Tipperary. Vol 1. PP 273- 278.
St Patrick's Well, Clonmel
St. Patrick’s Holy Well fills a lake with a little cross on an island in the center. There is a church to the side of the well that is St. Patrick’s Church.
The well obtains healing properties, specifically for skin diseases and stomach illnesses. You can obtain these healing properties by putting your feet into the water.
The pattern day is celebrated with a mass on the last Thursday of June.
There are stone crosses placed around the perimeter wall of the well, and these crosses are placed for the Stations of the Cross.
St. Patrick visited the well in the 5th century, and people have been visiting this well for 6,000 years.
Lonergan
Learn more about St Patrick's Well in Clonmel at Seamus Sweeney's blog.
St Peacaun's Well
St. Peacaun (Beagán) was one of the Eoghanacht and is associated with St. Abán, although he is often said to have lived much later in the 7th century. This well is located in the townland of Toureen
Every August 7, there is a vibrant annual gathering for all ages with children's sporting competitions following mass.
Here is a video of the Pattern Day for St Peacaun's Well.
More information about this well:
Carragáin, Tomás Ó. "The architectural setting of the cult of relics in early medieval Ireland." The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (2003): 130-176.
Charles-Edwards, G. "The east cross inscription from Toureen Peacaun: Some concrete evidence." The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (2002): 114-126.
Rag Well
The Rag Well, in Knockluas, Clonmel, County Tipperary, has no patron saint. In the 19th Century, it was known as Tobar na Gréine.
It is a spring well enclosed by a circular stone wall. The wall is in a reasonable sate of preservation. The well can be entered through a small opening in the south. The interior is now very overgrown when visited in 2015. A large tree covered in ivy is located beside the well and it's tradition to tie rags to the tree. The tree gave its name to the well. Its located on the southern outskirts of the town of Clonmel, is a steeply sloping field. The well looks directly across at Slievanamon mountain.
There is no pattern day, and it's visited throughout the year.
This is not visited as a holy well. It is more of a wishing well, and there is a long tradition of people coming here and tying rags to white thorn tree beside the well to make a wish.
Louise Nugent offers the following sources for learning more about this well.
https://pilgrimagemedievalireland.com/2014/04/19/the-rag-well-clonmel/
French, R., & Lawrence, W.M..(18651914). Holy Well, Ragwell Glen, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000319096
French, R., & Lawrence, W.M..(18651914). Slievanamon from Roguell Glen, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000331355
French, R., & Lawrence, W.M..(18651914). Holy Well, Ragwell Glen, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000319095
O'Connell, P 1956. 'St. Patrick's well Clonmel, Co. Tipperary: and early Christian sanctuary of the decies. Pamphlet. Clonmel: St Patrick's Day society.
O'Flanagan, Rev. M. (Complier) 1929. Letters containing information relative to the antiquities of the county of Waterford collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1841. Bray: Typescript.
Rodan's Well
Rodan's Well is found on the east side of Lorrha village with the nearby Augustinian friary to the north. A rough rectangular well (dims. 0.9m x 0.8m) enclosed by a D -shaped stone wall with cobblestone paving. The top of the well is covered by an iron grille which gives access to seven steps leading down to the water of the well.
Farrelly, Jean and Caimin O’Brien.2002. Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary -North Tipperary. Vol 1. PP 273- 278.
St Sedna's Well
Townland: Newtown, Clonbeg Church
Saint Associated with well: St Sedna, Séadna, Séanna
St Sedna's Well is located in the SE portion of the churchyard of Clonbeg Church, the welll has a stone impoundment and overhanging "rag tree" with dozens of votive cloths.
This well is dedicated to the patron of Aherlow on the northern side of the Galtee Mountains. Sedna was said to have been the son of Maghna, the sister of St David of Wales (Ó Riain, 2011:554). Well waters reputedly cure a variety of ailments including sores and swellings.
Its pattern date is 23 June.