3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well complex is off the main road through Tubber on the border with Co. Clare and is behind some disused agricultural buildings, through two cattle gates, and enclosed with a low stone wall. "Done up" since 2007, the well is landscaped with an easily-walked graveled paths between stations. The well is enclosed in an older circular stone impoundment--the stones of which have now been cemented and is surrounded by gravel. Along one path is a rectangular stone house with domed roof around which the well water flows and in which is a statue of Our Lady. On another path is a cover for officiates at open-air masses and a shrine structure where votives are deposited.
4 Cure
Cures are obtained by praying the rosary on three consecutive visits.
6 Offerings
Unusually shaped stones, silk flower arrangements, religious statues are generally retained when the site is cleaned. These remain on the stone "shrine house." Other votives such as rosary beads and scapulars are left on trees near the well and along the path behind the rectangular shrine with the statue of Our Lady.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
A bullaun stone on the opposite side of Glendun Rroad from the Roman Catholic church of St. Patrick. the stone is neatly fenced with wooden railings. The stone has two indentations that retain water, the largest in a perfectly circular bowl shape.
4 Cure
skin diseases and warts
5 Pattern day
17 March
8 Stories
Rosemary Garrett (1956) noted that the name of the stone Gloonan derives from "gluin" for knee. As near many holy wells, this knee stone's depressions were once explained as having been worn into the rock by St. Patrick kneeling to pray there. Another story relates that the traveling saint stopped to drink water from the larger indentation and, in kneeling to do so, created the second. Formerly people used to align their knees on such stones before praying beside their local well and this seems to have been such a site.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
In a pasture with stone enclosing structure topped with a decorative smithed sign of the site's name with metal shamrocks, a "Celtic cross" and a St Brigid's cross. Behind the well is a stone altar for outdoor masses and a stone surround with a niche for the saint's statue.
4 Cure
All sicknesses, particularly nervous disorders and peace of mind for those who have endured abuse and incest.
5 Pattern day
15 May
7 Prayer rounds and stations
One version of the many prayers to St Dymphna:
O God, we humbly beseech you through your servant Saint Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she bore you, to grant relief to those who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders, especially (mention the afflicted person). Saint Dymphna, helper of the mentally afflicted, pray for us. Saint Dymphna, comforter of the despondent, pray for us. Saint Dymphna, renowned for many miracles, please pray for us. Follow with one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be.
Intentions brought to St Dymphna's well were formerly brought for nine days in a row in a novena.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
A beautifully maintained walk leads to the Legan well at the corner of multiple fields. The well has a rectangular stone impoundment about eight feet in length with a votive-receiving thorn tree beside it. Gravel has been set around the well to accommodate gatherings.
5 Pattern day
Visited all year, but particularly between 15th of August until the birthday of Our Lady 8 September
6 Offerings
rosary beads, coins, small religious statues
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Older patron of the well was long ago lost. The number of decades of the rosary said varied between consultants.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Paving was said to have taken place in the early 2000s to the dismay of some local visitors. The well structure is kept tidy and cleared of most votives. The well surround itself is paved and encircled by a five and a half foot high block wall with a large niche and statue of Our Lady. Access to the well is prevented by a metal railing and the water source is covered with a type of dome of metal spokes to which a pump is fixed with a handle that can be moved to deliver a stream of well water.
5 Pattern day
The traditional pilgrimage times are between 15 August to 8 September, the Day of Our Lady's Assumption until her birthday. Visited all year, the well also is especially visited on Good Friday and Easter.
The well is in the Old Graveyard in Kenmare town, Co Kerry.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well is on the shore below the graveyard and is dedicated to the 7th century St Finian.
4 Cure
The "cure" it has is for healing sore or infected eyes. A person puts some of the water on the affected eye or eyes and leaves it there for a certain amount of time and their eyes will be healed.
6 Offerings
Shells, rosary beads, rags, and small pebbles. A slate has been left on top of the well structure so that visitors may etch a cross in that rather than on the stones that form the impoundment/shelter.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
It's site is near some Ringforts and a now disused church with a damaged round tower. The cemetery is still used. It is at the roadside and no permission is needed to visit.
5 Pattern day
I do not, at the moment, know the pattern date, but it has one with a mass.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Situated in grounds of former Salesian College,Warrenstown.(now privately owned). Beautiful location.Surrounded by trees of Dunsany Estate.
4 Cure
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".
5 Pattern day
June 29th and is celebrated last Sunday in June.
6 Offerings
Cloth,rings,religious pictures. Usually placed on branches of nearby bushes.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
I don,t know the prayer rounds for the present time but until 1950,s there was a huge turn-out on pattern day and the rosary was recited.
8 Stories
In 19th 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."
9 Publications
Riocht na Midhe, (don,t no the No.)-History of Culmullen by the late Oliver Cogan, Dunsany History and Warrenstown Remembered.
Can be found at Meath Co.Library-Dunshaughlin-Meath.
St Mullins, Co Carlow
GPS - N:52.489954, W:-6.929125
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
St Moling’s well is situated in St Mullins in Co Carlow. The well is a stone built four walled roofless structure. There is a narrow doorway through which pilgrims enter the well. It is said that seven springs feed the well, and so there is a constant flow of water that enters through two slits at the rear of the building into a stone font. Recent research has shown this to be the remains of a baptismal church built c. 1100, as part of the regularising of baptismal practices in the Irish church at that time.
O Carrigain, T. ‘Churches in Early Medieval Ireland’ Yale University Press 2010, p 199 - 208.
St Moling’s well is situated to the north of the ancient monastic site in St Mullins. The well is located beside the millrace, said to have been dug singlehandedly by St Moling over a period of several years. When it was completed St Moling consecrated the millrace and it, together with the holy well, became a site of pilgrimage.
The well can be easily accessed through the churchyard or by road. There is a car park across the road from the entrance to the well.
4 Cure
The water from the well is thought to be a cure in particular for ailments of the head, but cures for a wide variety of ailments of the mind and body have been attributed to the holy well.
There is a belief that if the water is applied to any affected part of the body there will be a cure. In particular there is a great belief in the healing power of the water when poured over the head and by drinking it.
5 Pattern day
The Pattern day in St Mullins is traditionally held on the Sunday nearest to the 25th July, the feast of St James, patron saint of pilgrims. There is a little Pattern on July 25th. The feast of St Moling is celebrated in St Mullins on the 17th June.
6 Offerings
Traditionally it was not common for offerings to be left at St Moling's well. However, in the past on Pattern day there were often donations made for the upkeep of the well. In present times, however, it has become more common for small tokens to be left inside the well walls. Holy pictures, small statues and small personal items belonging to babies or children have begun to be left.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Private individual prayer.
8 Stories
A Catholic priest, Fr Daniel Kavanagh is buried in the graveyard in St Mullins. The belief is that if a person suffering from toothache takes some clay from his grave, holds it in their mouth and makes their way to the holy well, where they take some water in their mouth together with the clay, it will cure their toothache. (Examples of this story and others relating to St Moling's well can be found in the Schools Folklore Collection).
9 Publications
Clyn, Friar John and Dowling, Thady. The Annals of Ireland. Dublin, n.p.
De Paor, Maire B. St Moling Luachra. Dublin, 2001.
MacNeill, Maire. The Festival of Lughnasa. London, 1962.
O’Leary, Patrick. ‘St Mullins, A Local History of the Life and Times of St Moling’ in The O’Leary Footprint Philip E Murphy and J. David Hughes (eds). Graignamanagh, 2001.
O’Sullivan, T.F. Pattern Day at St. Moling’s. Carloviana. 1976/77
Edward O’Toole, The Holy Wells of County Carlow. Bealoidais, Iml. 4, Uimh 1 (1933)
O Carrigain, T. ‘Churches in Early Medieval Ireland’ Yale University Press 2010, p 199 - 208.
Laheen, M. ‘Conservation and Management Plan for the Pilgrim Route at the ecclesiastical site of St. Mullins, Co.Carlow’ 2015.
St Mullins, Co. Carlow. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlcar2/St_Mullins.ht
Mary Laheen, Architect from the School of Architecture, UCD
10 More
Description of the Ritual Observances of the Pilgrim Route
Entry by path from existing road.
2. Blessed well and pool of springs.
3.Tacarda = the ‘Wading Stream’ channel of water to river.
4. Path by the townland boundary to the river crossing.
5. Crossing the river.
6. Crossing the millrace.
7. Entry into the monastic precinct.
8. Stone High Cross.
9. St James’ cell.
10. An Teampall Mor
1. The path itself is short, less than a quarter of a kilometre – what is considered important is not the length of the path, but the intensity of the experience and the observance of certain rituals. Having left the road and taken a path by the river bounded to the east by derelict buildings which were once the houses of local families, the pilgrim reaches a roofless stone structure that encloses the well.
2. Recent research has shown this to be the remains of a baptismal chapel c. 1100, as part of the regularizing of baptismal practices within the Irish church. The well is fed by an upper pool that contains several springs, the water gushes through two square openings made in two large vertical stones in the east wall. It is known as the Tiopra – pilgrims circumambulate the Tiopra and the pool of springs to the east which feeds the well.
3. From here pilgrims walk to the river and enter a stone constructed channel which directs the water from the holy well to the Aughavaud river. This is known as the Tacarda and also the ‘wading stream’ locally. The stream is entered barefoot and the pilgrims walk against the flow of the water towards the blessed well.
4. Having emerged from ‘wading the waters’ they walk close to the boundary of the well field and come through an opening in the boundary into the river field. Formerly a path by the boundary led pilgrims towards the river crossing. This field boundary is also the townland boundary of St Mullins.
5. There is a place at the river where pilgrims used to cross on stepping stones these are still visible. Generally the water is too high to cross in this manner. It was here that a wooden bridge carried people across from the 1970s until the bridges were removed at the end of the twentieth century. The location is the proposed position of the new bridge.
6. Once across the river the pilgrims continued southward and in the past crossed a second bridge over the millrace. The evidence of the first OS 1839 is that a millrace in this location existed, it was used to drive the mill wheel at the corn mill lower down on the river Barrow. However, on Frizell’s map in 1768 no mill race is shown in this location, or mentioned in the notes. Hence the mill race was built somewhere in between these two dates – 1768 and 1839.
7. Once across the millrace pilgrims ascended the steep ground towards a set of stone steps that led to the monastic site. Here there are two millstones recovered from the river bed in the end of the 19th century. Local tradition holds that these are the millstones of the saint’s mill. The mill itself is thought to have been situated lower down near the river. Patrick O’Leary refers to a mill stone he found with the Rev James Graves one evening in September 1885.
8. Once through the opening in the walled monastic area pilgrims pray at the ancient granite high cross, now dilapidated but re-erected in modern times on its original cylindrical base.
9. Moving eastwards further rituals are observed in the tiny ruined oratory known as the cell of St James.
10. Walking around the monastic site three times the pilgrimage ends at Teampall Mor, which is held to be the burial place of St Moling.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This medieval holy well is close to a medieval ecclesiastical enclosure and graveyard in Aderrig circa 800m away, the ruined church still extant, although in encroaching suburbia. The well dried up since a pumping station was built about 20 yards away, but the author remembers it being wet, before the development began. Little remains of the well to the untrained eye, however, the site was not fully excavated in 2001 - see extract and link to the excavation report below. The traces of a low oval-ish wall enclosing the site, the remains of a couple of steps down to the well, and the possible remains of the collapsed wellhouse that presumably held the bell are still in situ, although no signage or indication of the significance of the site exists to alert passers-by. The name means "the well of the bell" in Irish (Gaeilge) or "Tobar na gClog". The nearby stream, Tobermaclugg stream, has been extensively culverted to facilitate adjacent housing development. This holy well is under threat of total destruction.
Extract from Excavation Report from 2001 (G. Scally https://excavations.ie/report/2001/Dublin/0006414/ ) "Remains of a well were located c. 0.4m below present ground level. The well was composed of a roughly oval area of cut stone c. 1m in diameter, c. 0.5m high and abutted by three stone steps; it was not fully exposed. The trench was backfilled and no further excavation took place.
4 Cure
It is supposed to hold a cure for diseases of the eye and ears.
5 Pattern day
No pattern is associated with it now.
8 Stories
The name means "the well of the bell" in Irish.
9 Publications
G. Scally. 2001. https://excavations.ie/report/2001/Dublin/0006414/
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is a spring-fed oval-shaped pool approximately forty feet by twenty feet and about eight to ten inches deep located in a hollow about 8 feet below the surface of the road. The water runs off into two streams which flow in two different directions.
4 Cure
The well is said to cure nervous disorders
5 Pattern day
People may make the stations at the well anytime they wish, but they are usually done between the last Sunday of July and August 15.
6 Offerings
People leave clooties, photos, holy cards, medals, rosaries or personal items hung or tied to a pair of ash trees growing next to the well. The two trees probably sprang from the roots of an ancient tree which was cut down in 1835.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Pilgrims begin with an Act of Contrition, say the rosary while circling the well, and various prayers at the other stations. The stations include the well itself, the nearby ruins of a medieval church (possibly 12th century?) and several bullaun stones.
8 Stories
There is supposed to be a white trout or sea trout (Salmo trutta) in the well. Seeing it is a sign that your prayer will be answered. Several local people claim to have seen it and been cured of various maladies.
9 Publications
O’Dolan, Mairéad, Domhnall Ó Cobhthaigh, and John J.Ó Ríordáin. Holywell Revisited. The Print Factory, 2000.
O’Dolan, Mairéad. “Dabhach Phádraig: St. Patrick’s Holy Well, Belcoo, County Fermanagh.” Clogher Record vol. 18, no. 1, 2003, pp. 103-116.
10 More
St. Patrick supposedly visited the site and blessed the well to Christian use. One of the bullaun stones is said to have the prints of St. Patrick's horse or donkey on it.
The well is located at a place "where three streams meet" (considered a place of special sacred power) and on the border between two townlands, Cavancarragh and Rushin.
The O'Dolan family who live in the nearby townland of Rushin, have been herenaghs, hereditary caretakers, of the well as long as anyone can remember.
Magherakeel Townland, Killeter Village , Aghyaran. Termonamongan Parish. Co Tyrone. N Ireland
https://goo.gl/maps/rJBWiDQksz62
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
"Situated approximately two miles form the village of Killeter is St. Patrick’s Well, Magherakeel in the parish of Aghyaran (Termonamongan) Co. Tyrone. The parish has three holy wells; St. Patick’s Well (Tober Phadraig), St. Davog’s in Croighdenis and Fr. Mc Louighlins Meenard in Slievedoo.
The most popular and well known of these is St. Patricks well in Magherakeel. Some people think these wells were blessed by early saints and therefore continued to be a place of devotion. This well was blessed by St. Patrick himself and legend has it that he stopped here to rest and quench his thirst on his way from Lenten Sacrifice in Lough Derg.
On the 17th March every year bands parade to the well before rosary is recited at 3pm to a large crowd of people. This is a very important date in the parish calendar. Throughout the year people make visits here in search for cures and holy water for the sick. It is very well maintained and a ‘must see’ for those that have not yet paid it a visit."
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). Slievenamon 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: an early Christian sanctuary of the decies. Phamplet . 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.
Description of Well Item Type Metadata
1 Name of well and saint
The Rag Well. There is no patron saint. In the 19th century, it was known as Tobar na Gréine
2 Townland, County, GPS
Knockluas, Clonmel, County Tipperary
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
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.
5 Pattern day
There is no pattern day, and it's visited throughout the year.
6 Offerings
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.
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.
https://www.irelandxo.com/sites/default/files/Breifny-Antiquarian-Society-Journal-1929-30-Vol-III-No-II%20%281%29.pdf(
Breifney Antiquarian Society journal of 1929-1930 Page 306.
Description of Well Item Type Metadata
1 Name of well and saint
St Ultan's Holy Well, Tober Ultan
2 Townland, County, GPS
Corratiner Parish of Killinkere, County Cavan. The townland was usually known as 'Cob~t\ Ulr~in, and the older people still retain the name.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
St Ultan's Holy Well is situated on a gentle declivity in a secluded part of the townland of Corratiner; a short distance away is the ruins of the ancient parish church of St Ultan. Bushes and shrubbery surround the well , giving it an impressive background. Close by is a Mass-rock of the Penal times. The well is between a Mass Rock and Gallon ancient Graveyard, location of original church of St Ultan of Ardbraccan (an Cillin Ceir) which gives the parish of Killinkere its name.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Sadly the well of St Ultan is not now visited on a regular basis.
8 Stories
O'Donovan, in noting the fact that St. Ultan is the Patron of Killinkere adds that "there is a well dedicated to him in a townland to which it has given the name of Tober Ultan [~obdpULCAI,~] which was formerly visited by a great concourse of pilgrims." (Breifney Antiquarian Society Journal 1929-1930)
9 Publications
https://www.irelandxo.com/sites/default/files/Breifny-Antiquarian-Society-Journal-1929-30-Vol-III-No-11%20%281%29.pdf
(BreifneyAntiquarianSocietyjournal of 1929-1930 Page 306.
"Holy Wells of County Clare"
Written and Narrated by Michael Houlihan (michaelhoulihan5@gmail.com)
Photographed and Produced by James Feeney 2020
In association with An Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaelta, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Research carried out by Liam Clare of the Foxrock Local History Club for the project on Hidden Gems, Forgotten People for the Federation of Local History Clubs website.
Description of Well Item Type Metadata
2 Townland, County, GPS
Deansgrange in County Dubln
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
It's close to the Dean's Grange stream. This is now covered over and no longer visible.
4 Cure
It was believed that the water was good for eye problems which people used to wash their eyes and cloth was hung on the nearby hawthorn bush.
5 Pattern day
This well is no longer visited by anyone.
6 Offerings
Bits of cloth were placed on the nearby hawthorn bush.
9 Publications
The Toberbawn Holy Well Deansgrange
http://www.hidden-gems.eu/Foxrock%20-%20toberbawn.pdf
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The blackwater was full, still, and impressive, and the footpath named after the St Barnane Walk, is an attractive spot to wander down, in fact, it is now part of the official town walk. The well is about 500meters along, passing some interesting Victorian buildings behind walls and vegetation. The well is clearly signed by a wall plaque and is accessed along a whitewashed passageway, somewhat mouldy and licheny at the moment. Signage to the well is accessed down a narrow passageway. There are actually 2 well basins, both connected underground, the water eventually flowing out to the river. The well to the south is foot-shaped, partially lined with concrete and has 3 steps leading down the circular-ish basin. The whole thing is surrounded by concrete slabs. The well to the north, which receives water from its companion, is more rectangular in shape, also with 3 steps down to it. Water in both wells was clear and plentiful, but choked with coppery leaves and little water beetles skimming along the surface. It's an odd space, claustrophobic and damp, a small spindly tree with a large metal protective grill and a wall-set cast iron drinking fountain-presumably the water was once piped to this for around the edge it warns rather sternly: "Keep the pavement dry!"
4 Cure
It is thought to cure blindness.
8 Stories
Lizzy O'Grady gives a very detailed account of St Bernard's well in the Schools' Folklore Collection
Around the district of Fermoy, there are many holy wells. In Burnane Walk south of the river Blackwater there is a well called St Bernard's well, which is situated about 100 yards from a Picture House built on the site of an old abbey. As Fermoy is a beauty spot, many sightseers visit it and they make sure in viewing the course of the Blackwater and in rambling up Barnane they visit the well.
About 15 yards south on the right bank of the river Blackwater and a quarter of a mile west of the Femoy bridge the exact position of the well is to be found.
The well is on level ground protected by a wall on the east, south and west, but open on the north to admit visitors. On the south side to which is attached an enamel cup, an ash tree grows near whose branches over-spread the well. Beech trees grow to the .. and the west. A gravel path leads to the well which is divided into 2 parts, the part near the entrance is square shaped, 3 steps must be descended to reach this well in the waters of which are applied to affected parts. About a yard from this is a round shaped part of the well which is also 3 steps below the level of the ground. The water of this is drunk and sometimes taken away in bottles. Both parts are connected by an underground stream, the waters of the round part feeding the square part and flowing thence to the river Blackwater.
St Bernard lived sometime during the 11th centurey. On one occasion when he visited Fermoy a poor blind man came to him and begged him to restore his site. St Bernard blessed the ground on which they were standing and immediately a fountain of fresh water sprang up. The saint told the man to bathe his eyes with water and no sooner had he done so than his sight was restored. The news of the miracle spread rapidly throughout the country and many blind people came to the spot and washed their eyes with water from the well and were restored their sight.
Many strange sights have been seen in the neighbourhood of the well and it is supposed to be haunted.
I have gathered this information from some of the old people in Fermoy (041-043:0378)
St Bernard (1090-1153) was actually French, one of the leading lights behind the Cistercian movement and a gifted spiritual leader and writer. He founded the great abbey of Clairvaux in Burgandy, with himself as the Abbot. Quite what he was doing in Fermoy, I'm not sure, but his feast day is the 20th August.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
It is near Kilkee town, County Clare, a mile or so up the west coast road leading towards Carrigholt
4 Cure
The well is known for its curative properties to people's eyes and its moss has been exported to the USA for many years.
6 Offerings
It is customary to leave mementos to loved ones who are sick or in need of help inside the well.
8 Stories
The well in Kilkee holds sentimental value to me. I left a part of my late wife's necklace in the Well just five years ago to remember her and the family who miss her.