The Well of St. Cathaldus is dedicated to Saint Cathaldus.
2 Townland, County, GPS
The well is located in Canty, Count Waterford (west of Dungarvan).
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is located in a field owned by a farmer and his family. A large crab apple tree used to shade the well, but most of the tree has been removed.
4 Cure
It is said that the well once held cures for sore eyes.
5 Pattern day
The pattern day was once celebrated on May 10th, but has now fallen out of popularity with pilgrims as it is believed the well is no longer curative.
6 Offerings
Rosaries were once tied to the crab apple tree that grew above the well. Close to 100 years ago, children from the village would throw rocks at the tree to knock down the apples, but the rocks would then fall into the surrounding field. The farmer who owned the land (Mr. Kiely) became angry at the children because one of their rocks had fallen into the hay he was cutting and had broken his scythe when he went to cut the hay. He cut the tree down and threw it into the corner of the field before dying several months later from unknown causes. The well dried for several days after the man cut down the tree, and now dries each summer.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
The well is no longer visited for its cures. Rather, pilgrims will visit the site in order to honor Saint Cathaldus.
8 Stories
It is said that the well lost its curative nature after an unknown woman washed her clothing in the well's waters .
9 Publications
Eugene Broderick (2016) Broderick, Eugene. 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford. (p.52)
http://homepage.eircom.net/~whitech/historyofcanty.htm
10 More
This site was deemed to be significant to the life of St. Cathaldus by an Italian delegation in the year 2000 who visited Canty in order to honor the saint.
The well is located in Moord, Waterford County (near Piltown).
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is a small opening covered by a white stone superstructure. The superstructure is rectangular on the interior were pilgrims can access the well water. Another small opening is carved into the top of the superstructure, most likely intended to hold votive offerings. Several stone steps lead into the well, and the site is hidden in a field close to the boundary ditch between properties.
4 Cure
The well is meant to cure sore eyes, and it is believed that the site held value before its dedication to Saint Bartholomew.
5 Pattern day
The well's pattern day is celebrated on 24th August. Visitation was thought to have been discontinued in 1812, but was found to have been revived in 1856 when antiquarian Edward Fitzgerald noted that the pattern day was still observed by individuals with eye afflictions. Today, pilgrims continue to visit the site, but its popularity declined greatly during the 1930's.
6 Offerings
Eugene Broderick notes: Votives were once deposited on a large tree near the well. Red, green, and blue rags were torn from the clothing of pilgrims and tied around the tree's branches in order to leave the year's sickness behind, but the tree no longer exists and therefore the votives are no longer left behind.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
There are several references to pilgrims "making of rounds" in the past (specifically in the 19th century, but there was not any updated information found regarding the specific practice in the present).
8 Stories
Legend states that 3 houses were build on the grounds that used to be included in the prayer rounds. After the houses were built, the owners never experienced another day of luck. Another legend states that a woman drowned in the well after bending to drink its water.
9 Publications
Eugene Broderick 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford. (p.49)
https://pilgrimagemedievalireland.com/2013/01/06/st-bartholomews-holy-well-kinsalebeg-co-waterford/
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Toberahulla is located directly under a large tree. Several wooden altars have been placed on this tree in order to hold crucifixes and figures of individual saints. A mountain stream runs next to the road near the field before flowing into the well. The waters then combine and flow into the nearby Blackwater river. There are two stone steps leading into the well for pilgrims to access the well water.
4 Cure
One of the first alleged cures occurred when a man from Castlelyons in County Cork visited the well on the eve of the feast day in order to cure his deformed feet. The man stayed at the well all night, and found himself able to walk freely the following day. The well is said to cure a variety of physical ailments, including deformities and eye injuries.
5 Pattern day
The pattern day is celebrated on September 29th. Many pilgrims from several counties used to visit the site, but attendance was discouraged from the years 1838 to 1866 by Fr. Fogarty of Lismore following several brawls between rivaling communities. A revival occurred during the 20th century, and it became common for vendors to sell sweets during the pattern day. The celebration would be supplemented with alcohol and dancing, but now only local people celebrate the pattern day.
6 Offerings
Votives of beads, medals, and crucifixes were hung on the large tree next to the well.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Celebrations would begin 9 days before the pattern day in order for pilgrims to prepare for their rounds. Pilgrims would pray and then walk through the nearby stream, wash their hands and face, then dance at the nearby crossroad until midnight. Individuals with severe diseases would stay at the well all night in hopes of amplifying the effect of their cure.
8 Stories
According to legend, fighting between pilgrims on one pattern day was so intense that the nearby stream ran red with blood. From that moment on, some pilgrim refer to the well as Tobar na Fola (The Well of Blood). Another legend states that a young woman with an eye affliction washer her eyes in the water after visiting the site with her mother. The two prayed, washed again, and realized that the little girl was able to see the lights of the houses in the distance. After another round of prayer and washing, the girl's site was fully regained.
9 Publications
Eugene Broderick. 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford. (p.47-48)
Schools Folklore Collection. 0640:33-35.
10 More
It is said that there is a small footprint impressed into a stone near the well that was left by St. Brigid.
Tobar Mhuire (also known as Lady Well) is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
2 Townland, County, GPS
The well is located in Modeligo, County Waterford
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well consists of a hollowed out rock outcrop that collects rainwater. It is believed that the hollow is due to the natural erosion caused by rainwater. There is not a spring source that feeds into the well. A small border of concrete surrounds the site, and several patches of trees grow in the field adjacent to the well.
4 Cure
This well is said to cure ailments of the eye, and is said that this is due to the cross carved into the base of the well.
5 Pattern day
The pattern day is celebrated on August 15th by pilgrims in order to say the rosary.
6 Offerings
Rags and rosary beads were once hung on an old white thorn bush that grows by the well, but the practice has been discontinued after the 1960's.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
In old times, the water would be removed from the well and would be replaced the day before the pattern day in order to keep the waters pure. Pilgrims would pour water on their hands and rub it on their bodies, while others would drink it from the palms of their hands. Prayer rounds would end at a flowing spring well around 60 meters away near the Finish River. This location was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and pilgrims would end their rounds by drinking 3 times from the river in honor of the Blessed Trinity. In present times, the well is still cleaned before every pattern day by a member of the McCarthy family to remove algae. However, most pilgrims finish their rounds and prayers at the well rather than the Tobar Mhuire well rather than the Trinity Well (which is no longer revered as a holy site).
8 Stories
There is a local legend that a blind man and his seeing son travelled 20 miles to visit the well. On their second round around the well, the old man said that he could see a fish, and his sight was restored from that moment on. Another legend states that the well had previously been located in another spot but was moved due to an act of disrespect. According to the story, the man who disrespected the well became blind and nothing grew in the original field once the well was moved. A final legend tells the story of a Cromwellian soldier who was in possession of a blind horse. The man offered his servant 10 pounds to take the horse to drink from the well, but the servant refused to disrespect the site. The soldier took the horse himself to drink from the well, and while the horse regained his sight, the soldier became blind.
9 Publications
Eugene Broderick (2016) Broderick, Eugene. 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford. (p.42-45)
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The Wart well is a bullaun located on the same boulder as a mass rock. The site sits on private property along the Roaringwater Bay. Near the mass rock and bullaun there are two large standing stones (Clarke, 2018.)
4 Cure
The holy well cures warts.
5 Pattern day
The boulder arrangement saw use as a mass rock, so use of the holy well was likely as unstructured as the ad hoc masses held there.
9 Publications
Bishop, H.J.. “Mass Rock Sites of County Cork” findamassrock.com. Accessed April 1, 2021. https://www.findamassrock.com/cork4
Clarke, Amanda. 2018. “Three Gentlemen, a Yeti & a Medicinal Draught” holywellscorkandkerry.com, November 4. https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2018/11/04/three-gentlemen-a-yeti-a-medicinal-draught/
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Located 700' above sea level, within that Gap in the Uris mountains that separates Desertegney from Uris, the well is situated in the townland of Uris Mana. It is a small well in the midst of rocks a few yards from the Gap road. (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1112, Page 387)
5 Pattern day
ndividuals pray at the site on a daily basis, expecially when communting. Public gatherings for services still happen. Long ago, it was the custom for people to go there to make the "turas" from the fifteenth of August, to the eighth of September, and some people still keep up that custom. (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1112, Page 387)
7 Prayer rounds and stations
The turas was composed of going round seven heaps of stones, and saying any prayers you like, and you are saying any prayers you like, and you are supposed to throw a stone into every heap, when you are making the turas. The people take a drink of water in the well, and they say a prayer for the person that made the well, and they also say a prayer for the person that blessed the well. (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1112, Page 387)
8 Stories
Who exactly blessed the well is debated. Some say that St. Egney (Eigne) blessed it (after whom Desertegney is named). Others say that when St. Columba was in sorrow he went to the Gap of Mamore to seek advice from Naom Muirseslac - who had a place of prayer there, and that maybe it was he who blessed the Well. (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1112, Page 387)
Saint Cuddy's Holy Well or Cloc Mo Cuda, St Mochuda
2 Townland, County, GPS
Knockreer, County Kerry
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
There are two bullauns within one slab of stone and a third bullaun close by surrounded by smaller stones. Above the well grows a tree with white cross painted on its trunk.
4 Cure
A specific cure is not given, but a cure is obtained by doing the rounds and if one sees a robin they are said to be healed.
5 Pattern day
The pattern day falls on May 16th and is celebrated with an annual pilgrimage to the site to be visited three times.
6 Offerings
Offerings vary but always include bread for the robin and the offerings are to be left on the tree.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
A quote from the School's Folklore collection provides a detailed account of the rounds required: "This is a Triduum. The way to the Cloc was originally a public right of way. It was closed and enclosed in Kenmare Demesne by a Grand Jury Order. The custodians took the key for the old pathway from one Irwin who was caretaker at Deenagh Lodge. THE PILGRIM arrived at dawn. She brought with her:
(a) a quantity of plain water in a vessel.
(b) Three rags. They were left behind and hung on a Palm tree overhanging the stone.
(c) Some fragments of Bread. If the Robin appeared rags were given him. Some think that a priest (was) known as the “Robin” and that the “rags” were in reality the altar linen. Tradition says if the robin appears your request will be granted.
(D) The pilgrim returned to Killarney heard Mass and communicated.
(E) The prayers prescribed were the Rosary but if the pilgirm had to hurry away 5 Paters, Aves and Gloria’s sufficed.
(F) The water used by the Pilgrim from the stone for blessings was to be replaced from the stone brought. The vessel was not to be brought back.
(G) The Credo was to be recited on the flag. " (SFC: 0455:218-219)
8 Stories
On the origin of the well: "Long, long ago there was a monk living in the monastery of Innisfallen. He used to go for a walk every day. One day when he was teaching in the school he told the pupils that he would be back to say the Angelus with them. He went away and was not gone far when he was attracted by the singing of a robin. The music was so delightful that he followed the robin and when he had travelled about four miles after the bird he heard the Angelus bell ringing. He knelt down to say the Angelus and he was so tired he fell asleep. He remained there for nearly two hundred years and when he woke up the place was changed entirely. The print of his two knees remained on the stone, and that is why they called it Cloc Mo Cuda."(SFC: ).
It is also said that the third bulluan is where he rested his forehead. There are a few variations of the same story that can be found at the School's Folklore Collection website.
Another story: "Cloc Mo Cuda is about half a mile from the town of Killarney. People go there before sunrise to obtain a request or be cured. People who go there do rounds around the well and while they are walking they say the Rosary. There is a small tree over the well and if the request is granted or if the person is cured a robin will appear in the tree. My mother and three other women were going to do the rounds. On the third morning my mother and two of the women saw the robin but the other woman did not. She had gone there to be cured and a short time after she died. People are supposed to leave something on the tree as a token and they have to leave a piece of bread also for the robin."(SFC: 0455:215-217).
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The water of the well emerges from a hole in a rock and flows down the side of the rock. (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1085, Page 126)
4 Cure
Many people go to this well to be cured, however, the specificities of the well's curing properties are not noted. (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1085, Page 126)
7 Prayer rounds and stations
There is a large mound of stones around the well. People still make turas to the well, and when they do, they must leave a stone at both sides of the well each time they go around it. (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1085, Page 126)
8 Stories
It is said that was St. Finian was in the region he hit the rock with the stick, and water flowed there forth. This is why the well is named after him. (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1085, Page 126)
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
St. Martin's Well is found in a field surrounded by a fence with a cluster of whitethorns around it. It is boarded up with a small door and covered in plant growth so it is currently not able to be accessed. In the past however, it was described as follows: "This small clear well comprises a circular area constructed of drystone and flagstones."(Danachair, 1955).
4 Cure
This well held a cure for insanity.
5 Pattern day
Because the well is abandoned not much is known about the celebrations, offerings, or rounds done at the well. The pattern day for Saint Martin is November 11th, so one can assume that this was a day during which the well was visited.
8 Stories
This story does not directly apply to the well but rather the well's patron saint, St. Martin. In County Kerry, the custom on the eve of his pattern day (November 11th) is to slaughter an animal, usually a goose or some sort of fowl. What is done with the blood of the animal varies in each story but more information can be found at the School's Folklore Collection by searching for 'St. Martin'.
9 Publications
https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2020/02/21/st-senan-friends/
Danachair, Caoimhín Ó. The Holy Wells of North Kerry,1955.
https://www.duchas.ie/en/src?q=martin%27s&t=CbesTranscript&ct=CI
10 More
Photograph from Clarke at holywellscorkandkerry.com
Surfeit Well, Tobereenedenaght, Tobairin a’Dinigh ( Little Well of the Medicinal Draught)
2 Townland, County, GPS
Rathdrought (Rathrout), County Cork
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well sits close to Rathdrought township (also spelled Rathrout). According to Amanda Clarke in 2018, the land holding the spring belongs to a Mr. George Teape, the same owner mentioned in the 1985 paper, “ley lines & holy wells” by Conan Kennedy. The site used to host a stone pillar acting as a marker, but now only a lone ash tree stands over the well (Clarke, 2018). The ground is strewn with the remnants of the toppled stone pillar.
4 Cure
The well earned its name because of its potent cure for surfeit, especially after holidays, as recounted by Michael Sheehan in the Schools’ Collection of folklore: “The water is said to cure surfeit. ‘After Christmas and Easter long ago’ said Mr. Sheehan, ‘people visited the well in numbers; especially after Easter, when eating a dozen eggs was no great feat!’”(0314, 003). The other cure is explained by Kevin O' Mahony in the Schools’ Collection of folklore, “Many cures are got from the waters of the well. Farmers from far away come for the water if they have sick animals. If three drops of this water are taken by a person or by an animal, a cure takes place in a very short time,”(0313, 308A). The well does not appear to require rounds from the believer in order to dispense its cure.
5 Pattern day
I found no evidence of a designated pattern day, but the well is most visited the days after Easter and Christmas.
6 Offerings
The Surfeit well previously featured a pillar marking its location which was left as a sort of votive offering to the site. People who came to use the well also left gifts in thanks for the healing its granted. Kevin O’Mahoney discusses the votives in his entry to the School’s folkore collection:
Not very long ago the owner of the land in which the well is situated closed the passage that was leading to the well and broke up the well. But that year every one of his cattle died. Then he learned that he had done wrong; so he reopened the well and the passage leading to it. He also built a stone pillar near it to show the travellers where the well was. Around the well are lots of beads, buttons, metals, rosary beads and numbers of other articles which were left there by the people who came for the water. (0314:003)
8 Stories
A paper from 1985 by Conan Kennedy recounts the history of the site going back several centuries:
The story in Bandon has it that this one, known as The Surfeit Well, is an ancient well closed up hundreds of years ago. It was rediscovered about two hundred years ago and the tale of its rediscovery goes thus...A local young man was in the British Army in India. Taken ill, he was more or less at death's door when he dreamed of his home place, Rathrout. The dream told him that there was a particular well beside his house and, if he could just get back there and drink the waters he would recover. They got him back and, on his instructions, people dug at the spot and found the well. The soldier drank, and recovered! The well thus got its reputation, particularly for ailments of the stomach, since that had been the soldier's problem. And, right up to twenty-five years ago people would come regularly, leaving behind pieces of rag and suchlike tied to the pillar by the well as was the custom. There were no rags or any-thing like that on our recent visit, but when the young woman came out of the rain to collect water for, as she told us, a sick cow...it was clear enough that little else had changed. According to George Teape, owner of the land, three or four people still come every week to collect water from the well. He himself had had the stuff analysed out of curiosity and learned that it contained magnesium and cobalt and suchlike. (Interestingly enough, magnesium is one of the minerals that activates enzymes necessary for digestion). There was general agreement among people in the know that the water could not be boiled, (Kennedy 1985, 3).
9 Publications
Clarke, Amanda. 2018. “Three Gentlemen, a Yeti & a Medicinal Draught” holywellscorkandkerry.com, November 4. https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2018/11/04/three-gentlemen-a-yeti-a-medicinal-draught/
Kennedy, Conan. 1985. “Ley Lines and Holy Wells” academia.edu, accessed April 1, 2021.https://www.academia.edu/2587054/Ballinspittle
The Schools' Collection of folklore, Volume 0314: page 003
The Schools' Collection of folklore, Volume 0313: page 308A
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
There is a stone beside the well which has an imprint of what is said to be St. Patrick's knee and staff.
4 Cure
The water from the well is said to cure headaches, also the original legend says sores will be healed if they are washed in the water.
5 Pattern day
There seem to be conflicting dates for when this well is celebrated. One reference suggests that historically it was celebrated on the first Sunday of May and August (Conlon, "Holy Wells of County Louth). Another says that a mass honoring St. Patrick is held at the well every year on March 17th ("The Schools' Collection"). A news article indicates that since 2000, gatherings at the well have taken place every year around the beginning of September (The Argus). This is likely the closest to what is currently celebrated.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
There seem to have been historically stations, but they are not known know. According to legend, you are supposed to kneel down and pray at the well.
8 Stories
It is said that St. Patrick washed his hands in the well one day, and said mass there. He told people to kneel and pray, and that the people who wash their sores in the water will be cured. The imprint on a nearby stone is said to be that of his knee and staff.
9 Publications
"The Holy Wells of County Louth" by Larry Conlon, p. 457: https://www.jstor.org/stable/27729850?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
"The Schools' Collection", Volume 665, pages: 359-360: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008838/4960025
"Restoration Committee officially end term in office", In "the Argus", published September 1st, 2010: https://www.independent.ie/regionals/argus/news/restoration-committee-officially-end-term-in-office-26946647.html
Saint Dedication: This well does not commemorate a saint but actually a fairy or another deity lost to the times (Cronin et al., 2012).
2 Townland, County, GPS
Muckros (Muckross), Donegal
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Surroundings: The well overlooks north towards Tralor Beach and is 2.5 km south/ southeast of Kilcar. The well is closely located to both a burial ground and a mass rock (Cronin et al., 2012).
Description: The well is a natural spring and is located near the edge of a north-facing slope, with has a flat flagstone on the northern side, which forms a rectangular shape that measures 0.8 m x 0.5m in size (Cronin et al., 2012).
8 Stories
Local Story: The well is described by Ó Muirgheasa (1936) as:
“Tobar Chnapostuin at Muckress, near Kilcar, commemorates not a saint but a fairy, or more probably a local deity of ancient times, still remembered in local legends. For one such see the story of Bolcan Mor in Oidhche Airneail I dTir Chonaill. It was probably a “sacred well” in pagan times, and having escaped the attention of the missionaries, it has preserved its name and identity until the present day, a circumstance perhaps, unparalleled in this country” (Cronin et al., 2012).
9 Publications
Cronin, John and Associates. 2012. Survey of the Heritage of Holy Wells in County Donegal. Donegal County Council.
“Newly-found Holy Wells Across Donegal to Feature in Rite Programme” - https://www.donegaldaily.com/2013/03/25/newly-found-holy-wells-across-donegal-to-feature-in-rte-programme/.
This well resides in Knockenagh South, County Kerry.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Saint Batt’s Well is a below ground well with a stone enclosure and steps, along with a large metal slab above it and a metal door blocking the entrance. When the door is opened, there are a few more steps that lead down to a circular pool of water.
4 Cure
This well serves as a cure for eye, throat, and back aches, along with rheumatism. To obtain the cure one is instructed to either drink the water or take some moss from the surrounding area, mix it with the well water, and apply to the affected areas.
5 Pattern day
The pattern day for Saint Bartholomew is August 24 but the well is visited often. According to one student from the folklore collection, "It is visited on the last Saturday in April, the Saturday before the twenty-fourth of June and the Saturday before the twenty-ninth of September." (SFC: 0406:086).
6 Offerings
Offerings range from holy figurines of saints and rosaries to money and ribbons. These offerings are left tied to surrounding trees or on top of the slab covering the well.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
In order "to pay rounds...[people] go around the well nine times and they say three rosaries..."(SFC: 0401:314).
8 Stories
On its healing properties: "Many people have been cured at this well. A woman had a very bad pain in her back. She went to the well in Coolard and did one round. When she reached home the pain went away." (SFC: 0406:087)
There is also said to be a trout that possesses some sort of magically quality who lives in the well. "...one day a woman took a gallon of water out the well to make tea. She took out the fish in the gallon and put the fish into the kettle with the water unknown to herself. She put it over a big fire to boil it and it was over the fire for hours and it did not boil. At last she looked into the kettle and she saw the fish. She took out the fish and took him to the well again and put him into it and so the kettle boiled."(SFC: 0407:084).
As mentioned in the provided local stories, the well is noted as being in Coolard. The well was moved after a woman washed clothing in the water to where it is today. The picture provided is from Clarke at holywellscorkandkerry.com
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is located behind the Protestant church in Culdaff, Inishowen. (The School Folklore Collection)
4 Cure
Some have been restored to health by drinking this water. The exact curing properties of the well are not stated. (The School Folklore Collection)
7 Prayer rounds and stations
In the 1930s, many people still made the 'turas' and lifted water from the well. (The School Folklore Collection)
8 Stories
When Saint Bodan came to this well he said Mass on three steps and blessed them. He tied his boat to a rock nearby. Then he sailed under the bridge to the other side and here he left his boat. These three steps, at the well, at the place where he tied his boat when he was saying mass are yet to be seen, and the boat is there yet in the form of a hollow stone. (The School Folklore Collection)
St. Colmcille’s Well
also known as St. Colmcille or St. Columba.
2 Townland, County, GPS
Tullyarvan, County Donegal
This townland is slightly north of Buncrana. The well’s location is also known as Slavary to the local people (Cronin et al., 2012).
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Surroundings: The well is heavily grown over with plants, brushes, and other flora (Cronin et al., 2012).
Description: The well is square. The eastern side has a bullaun stone, which is a depression on a stone that is filled with water. Both the north and south sides have low rubblestone walls. The western side has a vertical sloping natural rock outcrop. The water is crystal clear (Cronin et al., 2012).
6 Offerings
Offerings: No votive offerings were found on the site (Cronin et al., 2012).
8 Stories
Local Story: Local Folklore speaks on how the two depressions within the bullaun stone are the prints of St. Cholmcille’s knees. The story speaks on how he stopped at the well while travelling to Stroove, Inishowen Head, when departing for Iona (Cronin et al., 2012).
9 Publications
"Survey of the Heritage of Holy Wells in County Donegal" - John Cronin & Associates.
10 More
Bibliography
Cronin, John and Associates. 2012. Survey of the Heritage of Holy Wells in County Donegal. Donegal County Council.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is located on high, wooded land close to a site associated with Drumboe Abbey, approximately 1 kilometer northwest of Stranorlar. The well consists of a small niche between large boulders forming a stream that flows southward. It is shaded by large hardwood trees, one of which is the main feature on which votive offerings are accumulated. (Cronin, et al. 2012)
6 Offerings
Votive offerings are primarily deposited on a large hardwood tree which shades the well-site. The are numerous prayers, statues, metal and wooden crosses, Euro and Irish Punt coins, children's clothing and toys, inhalers, rosary beads, holy medals and strange objects such as golf tees, bookies' pens, mechanical tools, a broken cassette tape and a nativity scene housed in a cut-out plastic drinks bottle. (Cronin, et al. 2012)
7 Prayer rounds and stations
The well is still venerated and is led to by a gravel path signposted from the roadside. (Cronin, et al. 2012)
8 Stories
The site would have had vast views over the Finn Valley to the south, southeast, and southwest and is obviously associated with the very nearby Drumboe Abbey, which is thought to be the beginning of the settlement of Stranorlar. (Cronin, et al. 2012)
9 Publications
School Folklore Collection. Cronin, Donegal Holly Wells Survey, 2012
10 More
There is a holy well in Drumboe, County Donegal, called the Abbey well. It is said that there was an Abbey there and that monks dwelled in the Abbey. This may or may not be the same well. (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1096, Page 76)
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is 100 meters east of the old parish church ruins in the townland. No other information was found.
4 Cure
It is said that one must wash their eyes and ears in the well, which may be indicative of its curative powers to eyesight and hearing.
5 Pattern day
It is observed on the feast day which is 14 September. A mass is celebrated in the church afterwards and as of the 1950s, the pattern day was still observed.
6 Offerings
No information about offerings is available at this time.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Rounds are made on the feast day, and as of the 1950s they were still being made. Pilgrims kneel at each corner and say a Hail Mary, Our Father, and "Glory as one round," for a total of five rounds made (SFC 0637:346).
8 Stories
According to the Schools Folklore Collection, “long ago feasts used to be held on this day at which vendors selling sweets and all classes of confectionery used to attend” (SFC 0637:346).
People also believed that there was a genus loci fish in this well, and if removed, the water a pilgrim had taken back to boil will not boil until the fish is returned back to its resting place.
9 Publications
Broderick, Eugene. 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford.
Schools Folklore Collection. 0637:345-346.
St. Ita’s Well, or Tobbershannoch (The Well of the Fox)
Saint Ita, "the Brigid of Munster"
2 Townland, County, GPS
Faithlegg, Co. Waterford
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is situated right across (about two hundred yards) from the Catholic church within the Faithlegg townland in a formerly wooded area. It is part of the Killea parish, and the well itself is marked by signage. It is inaccessible now due to a brick structure and grate over it.
4 Cure
The holy water is used at the Faithlegg chapel for sanctification. According to the Schools Folklore Collection, a sick person visited in the early hours and was cured of his ailments, but the text does not specify what specific ailments with which he was afflicted (SFC 0653:21).
5 Pattern day
Her feast day and pattern day were observed on January 15, but it is unknown if it is celebrated at this time.
6 Offerings
No information regarding offerings is available at this time.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
According to Broderick, Canon Power informed him that rounds were once made but then became a discontinued practice in the 1850s (Broderick, 2016: 52).
8 Stories
Ita means “thirst for God.”
According to the Schools Folklore Collection, “one day Saint Ita was praying in the wood alongside the well when a child appeared to her. It was the Child Jesus. After a few moments He disappeared, and when Saint Ita went to the place where the Child had been standing she discovered His foot-print in the rock” (SFC 0653:20). This mark was there until a few years prior to the publication of Eugene Broderick's book, when it was filled in with cement.
Fish used to be in the well, and pilgrimages happened more often when this was the case, as they were believed to bring the cure.
According to Broderick there are four wells dedicated to her in Killeedy, Co. Limerick where she founded a convent, and she did not stay in Co. Waterford (Broderick, 2016: 20).
9 Publications
Broderick, Eugene. 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford.
Schools Folklore Collection. 0640:43.
https://tidesandtales.ie/st-itas-holy-well-faithlegg/
10 More
The well has now been replaced by a pump house at the same site.
Sunday’s Well, Tobar Rí and Domhnaigh (Photo from Amanda Clarke)
2 Townland, County, GPS
Ballybunion, County Kerry
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Sunday's Well is beachside of a cliff and has no distinct features of a typical well. It is possible that the well is gone now, but possible stone remnants are visible on the side of the cliff. There is a small stream that comes from the side of the cliff
7 Prayer rounds and stations
In a previous account of the well rounds were paid, but there is no accessible well anymore.
8 Stories
According to the Schools' Folklore Collection there was a woman who washed clothes in the holy well on a Saturday night and on that Sunday morning the well moved to the opposite side of the road.
St. Peter and St. Paul's Holy Well (Saints peter and paul Holy Well or Gortnaclohy Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Skibbereen townland, County Cork
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well sits about a mile and a quarter from the outskirts of Skibbereen and in 1937 a Mr. Carey owned the land holding the spring (SFC 0297:143). When Amanda Clarke visited the site in 2017 the site had fallen to such disuse that she required a guide. On her holy wells of Cork and Kerry website, she describes her walk to the well: “We parked on a wide and newly made track then set off across boggy pasture, nipped under barbed wire, skidded down ditches, crept under mossy boughs, slipped and scrambled until we came to a halt in a little copse and there was the well” (Clarke, 2017, holywellscorkandkerry.com). The well has no stone impoundment.
4 Cure
Cures blindness and lameness but the cure can only be obtained by completing rounds at the site and seeing a holy eel (SFC 0297: 144).
5 Pattern day
In the Schools' Collection of folklore, Caoimhín O'Headhra"The pattern day was the 29th of June and hundreds of people used to attend to do the rounds and leave bread for the well’s two holy eels to survive off of for the year," (SFC 0297: 144-145).
6 Offerings
Bread was thrown into the well for the eels and votive ribbons were tied to a white thorn bush near the spring (SFC 0297: 144).
8 Stories
The Schools’ Collection of folklore hosts three entries on the St. Peter and St. Paul Holy Well because it was once so well used. An entry from the first by Pilip O’Neil shows the magical forces at work at the well, "There are two blessed eel's in this well; it is said that long ago a blind woman and a lame man were cure (sic) there. It is said that you must see some one (sic) of the ells (sic) before you can be cured..I heard that six unbaptised children were buried in a mound of earth a couple of yards from the well. May the lord have mercy on their souls," (SFC 0297: 144).The next was recorded by Caoimhín O’Headhra and explains the bread offering for the eels, among other things, “Why people take a piece of bread with them is because they say that the eel's will live on that much food for the year,” (SFC 0297: 145).
9 Publications
the Schools' Collection of folklore, Volume 0297, Pages 142-146
Clarke, Amanda. 2017. "St Peter & St Paul’s Holy Well, near Skibbereen" Holy Wells of Cork and Kerry, January 22nd. https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2017/01/22/st-peter-st-pauls-holy-well-near-skibbereen/
St Eóin’s Well, Tobar Naomh Eóin, Toberruane (St. John) (Photo by Amanda Clarke)
2 Townland, County, GPS
Asdee, County Kerry
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The entrance to the well is protected by a stone gate and ivy shrubbery that prohibits seeing into the field where pews and other evidence of pilgrim worship are found. The well is surrounded by a wooden fence that leads into the subterranean water. Long stones are stacked at the bottom of the well to pool the water. A stone formation is beside the well and houses a window depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary where offerings are given. The well seems to be in good condition.
4 Cure
The well's cure is for rheumatism and eye ailments like blindness. A story from the School's Folklore Collection explains how a blind man in one eye visited the well, paid his rounds and washed his eye with the water. The eye was washed and a lump fell into the well and was carried away by a fish and he was cured of his blindness. Another story from The Kerryman magazine in 2017 tells a story of a man from the 1880s who brought his nearly blind servant to the well, and she was cured of her blindness. Later, he brings a blind horse to the well to cure it of blindness and it works- at the cost of the master's eyesight.
5 Pattern day
The well's pattern day is on St John’s Day on 24th of June. Pilgrims can be found at the well on other days such as Michaelmas and Saturdays in May.
6 Offerings
Offerings such as metals, candles, and religious imagery are left at the window of the BVM. Strings and rags left as offerings are tied to some of the bushes and vines surrounding the site.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
The pilgrims visiting the well on any of the pilgrimage days will pay 3 rounds whilst repeating a rosary, which is done a total of 3 times.
8 Stories
The well has had multiple saint dedications over its time: St. Eóin’s Well, St. Senan’s Well, and St. Luke's Well.
There is another short story in a book named Holy Wells of North County Kerry (1958) that tells of a man who wants to stop pilgrims from accessing the holy well, so he lets loose a bull to deter the pilgrims. The bull then turned around, charges, and killed the man.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is at the end of Raheen Quay walk, where there is a sign posted leading to the well. It is situated at the top of a hill.
4 Cure
It is said to cure pains, and many visitors bring the well water home. There are also reports of it being an eye well, where visitors would sprinkle the water onto their eyes.
5 Pattern day
February 10
6 Offerings
No reports of offerings are noted at this time.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Many believers go around the well three times and pray the rosary. It is a custom to do this especially on the pattern day, and to take the well water home.
8 Stories
It is said that two eels are in the well, and they are the genii loci of Saint Mochua and someone else.
According to the Schools Folklore Collection entry on the well, “Long ago it is said that this well was situated at the top of the village and that one morning a woman came out and washed some clothes in it. On the following morning she came again to do the same work, but there was no sign of the well. The people say that it was not right to wash clothes in the well as it was blessed. The well started to rise again about three fields away from its former place” (SFC 0640:43).
Apparently a local man Tom Lockamore came to the well to make rounds to cure his eye. He saw a trout in the well, and the trout splashed his eye. The eye was healed the next day (Broderick, 2016: 46).
9 Publications
Broderick, Eugene. 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford. 46.
Schools Folklore Collection. 0640:43.
http://www.discoverclashmore.com/history.html
10 More
According to the Schools Folklore Collection, this is the only well in the parish.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well sits about one mile to the northwest of the village Carrigaline in Ballinrea district. St. John’s well can be found, “along a path between the Ballinrea Road and the Ballea Road (R613), adjacent to the Dun Eoin residential area. It is encased by a bee-hive shaped structure, with a small entrance from which water flows. A damaged cross tops the structure, while five pilgrim crosses are inscribed on the exterior walls” (Scriven, 2013: Liminalentwinings.com). The site is down in a glade and surrounded by trees (Clarke, 2016: holywellscorkandkerry.com).
4 Cure
Tobar Eoin Óg grants a general cure, but specifically the site has been said to cure lifelong blindness in adults, rheumatic pains and motor impairments. A believer may take the waters in order to obtain the spring’s healing benefits if they complete the prescribed rounds.
5 Pattern day
The pattern day is on St. John’s eve (June 23rd). The pattern day coincides with the pagan festival of midsummer. This explains the significance of lighting bonfires during St. John’s eve and particularly near the well site.
6 Offerings
The well enclosure itself is a votive offering from the old man who discovered the site and had his vision restored. There are two entries in the Schools’ Collection of folklore relating to votive offerings at St. John’s Well near Carrigaline. “The relics usually left are - medals, pictures, statues, scapulars, beads and other Holy Objects,” (SFC 0392: 62). “When people come to wash their sores in the well they leave a little holy picture or an Image and sometimes they leave rosary beads and medals… There are crosses on the stones outside of it and if you scratch your money on it you will have twice as much next year. From the people scratching their money the crosses have got six inches deep,” (SFC 0392: 220).
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Amanda Clarke provides a description of the folk liturgy of the site: “The Rosary was led by the priest who circled the well clockwise, stopping at each of the five crosses, another man inscribing the stones. A Decade of the Rosary was said at each one. Later some pilgrims performed the same rounds,” (Clarke, 2016: holyswellscorkandkerry.com).
8 Stories
There are two detailed entries on St. John’s well from separate authors in the Schools’ Collection. The first details the well’s construction:
It is a common belief here that it was discovered by a blind old man - a resident in Ballea
who had a very strange dream in which he was ordered by a voice to make a journey - in what direction is not stated - and stop where he heard water trickling.
The following day he set out, and locating the water, stooped and dug with his fingers until water sprang up, bathing his eyes in the clear water his sight was instantly restored.
The next entry explains why the well carries its namesake:
The name of the well is St. John' s well. It got its name because St. John is supposed to appear there twice a year. There is a tree growing on top of the well an ash tree and the people living in the house near the well cracket a piece off the tree and put it in the fire and they said it would not burn.
9 Publications
Clarke, Amanda. 2016. "Tobar Eoin Óg, St John’s Well, Carrigaline" holywellscorkandkerry.com, June 24th. https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2016/06/24/tobar-eoin-og-st-johns-well-carrigaline/
Scriven, Richard. 2013. "St John’s Well Carrigaline" liminalentwinings.com, June 24th. http://liminalentwinings.com/st-johns-well-carrigaline/
Schools' Folklore Collection, 0392:62
Schools' Folklore Collection, 0392:220
Tobar Cholmcille (St Columba’s Well), dedicated to St. Colmcille
2 Townland, County, GPS
Affane parish in Curraghroche townland, county Waterford
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is situated in the Blackwater area of County Waterford, and is considered to be a more well-known well in the county. Nearby there was once a bullaun stone and a carved head in a canopy, but these are considered to be no longer visible to visitors (Broderick, 2016: 46-47).
.
4 Cure
This well is said to cure sore eyes and poor eyesight. Many who make pilgrimage to the site will apply the water to the eyes, or take it back home for its curative properties.
5 Pattern day
It notes that the saint’s feast day is June 9, but it is unclear as to whether the pattern day is observed on that date currently.
6 Offerings
It is noted that you must pay visits, but there is no information as to whether offerings are deposited.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
According to Broderick, you must pay nine visits to the site if a person desires a cure before sunrise. If one sees a trout the morning of the ninth visit, it is a sign that the visitor will be cured of their ailments (Broderick,2016: 46-47).
8 Stories
A local man who worked in the area verified the sanctity of the well. He took the water home to boil and it did not get hot, but he saw the trout in the legend. When he went to return it and came back with more water, it boiled. There was no harm done to the man, the legend notes, because this encounter was accidental.
9 Publications
Broderick, Eugene. 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford.
Colmcille is considered a great early Irish saint and is considered the reason Christianity was brought to Scotland and founded the abbey at Iona. He died in 597.
Sunday’s Well, (near Banteer). Dedicated to the King of Sunday, BVM, and/or St. Abbey depending on the source.
2 Townland, County, GPS
Fermoyle, Co. Cork
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is still venerated today.
“Several tall trees lower over the well house which is roughly beehived shaped and made out of stone. A random mixture of other stones, some quite large, litter the area. On top of the wellhouse a statue of the BVM looks serenely down, covered in rosaries, a jar of fresh flowers at her feet. To the right another shrine contains statues, more flowers and offerings and a rosary-adorned holy water bottle. To the left a neat array of cups look very welcoming in a specially constructed stand, Other statues are tucked into various places around the tree and a few rags and beads have been tied to branches.”
(Clarke, 2017, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2017/12/03/fursey-friday-sunday/)
4 Cure
“Several persons have been cured after paying rounds at this well. The rounds consist of five rosaries, five decades in each. The well is particularly recommended for sore eyes and pains of all sorts. Those who visit the well drink the water and rub it on afflicted parts. Relics such as hairpins, buttons, ribbons, rosary beads and holy pictures are always left behind at the well by pilgrims. There is a frog in this well and pilgrims who are lucky enough to see the frog in the water are sure to be cured.”
(Clarke, 2017, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2017/12/03/fursey-friday-sunday/)
5 Pattern day
“Pilgrims visit it on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to pay rounds. The greatest number visit on Good Friday because on that day one visit will suffice but at any other time of the year three visits must be paid on successive days beginning with a Friday.”
(Clarke, 2017, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2017/12/03/fursey-friday-sunday/)
7 Prayer rounds and stations
“Prayers said at the well seem fairly flexible but this story has a humorous twist:
On one Good Friday a stranger came to the well and he was a cripple. He asked a boy what the rounds were. He said thirty-three rosaries for a joke. The man stayed all day saying the rosaries but he was well repaid for this because he was able to walk home. Beside the well are two bowls on which are written IHS and BVM. People rub the affected part with these bowls and they get cured.”
(Clarke, 2017, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2017/12/03/fursey-friday-sunday/)
8 Stories
“Sundays well is situated in Fermoyle woods about a mile and a half from this school. It is unknown who blessed this well but this is how it was known to be a blessed well. A mason who was working at the Old Court near Kanturk had a very sore eye and a bit of lime went into it. He was living near Mushera Mountain and was taking a shortcut home and he passed through this field. He saw the well and bathed his eye in it. The next morning his eye was cured and he came the next day which was Sunday and built a stone arch around the well and since this man’s eye was cured the well is known to be blessed. It is situated in Timothy Horgan’s field.”
“Sundays well is situated in a wooded incline in the townland of Fermoyle, Banteer. The well is still visited by great numbers on Good Friday. They come from far and near to pay rounds there. St Abbey is the patron saint of this well. It is believed that once when she was on her way to Ballyvourney she saw a white deer at this well and as it was on a Sunday she reached the well she blessed it and called it Sunday’s Well.”
“Another legend tells that the well changed its position. On a certain day a woman drew water from the well for household purposes, as the usual spring was in a wet boggy place and she thought it too hard to get at. The holy well was at that time above the fence where it is now. The woman put down the water to boil potatoes but discovered that it would not boil. Next day she again came to the well to discover that it had moved below the fence”
(Clarke, 2017, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2017/12/03/fursey-friday-sunday/)
“The well is obviously still much revered and was renovated in 2016 by the local community who made access much easier via the steps and stepping stones but it sounds as though it has always been a potent spot and much visited. In fact it has all the essential criteria of a powerful and vibrant well: cures, patron saint, a frog and a mind of its own.”
“Visitors can engrave names and dates of visits on a plain slab in the vicinity. The rock is certainly covered in graffiti most of it quite old – unusual behaviour if it was considered to be Mass Rock for they are usually treated with great respect.”
Sundays Well, Tobereendoney, (Corrin). Dedicated to the King of Sunday
2 Townland, County, GPS
Corrin, Co. Cork
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
In 1849 this well was described as: a beautiful limpid fountain, open and uncovered, save by three large old whitethorns one of which was thickly endowed with votive rags. It is called Sunday’s Well and rounds are performed at it every Sunday morning’. (Windele, 1898)
However, by the time the Archaeological Inventory team visited it in 2009 it was described as an: overgrown depression contains stagnant water.”
Amanda Clarke noted in her holy well blog that her hopes for the well were not high when her "GPS lead me to an industrial looking area almost underneath the motorway... I was also delighted to see the well – a distinct circle in an otherwise flat and ploughed field. . . . On closer inspection, the well was obviously recently constructed with no sign of any pool, limpid or stagnant. Instead the stone walling went several metres underground. The well was dry but nicely if plainly constructed.” (Clarke, 2018, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2018/10/15/motorway-madness-9-possible-wells-off-the-m8/)
Sunday’s Well (Carrignavar). Dedicated to King of Sunday
2 Townland, County, GPS
Carrignavar, Co. Cork
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is not visited regularly, but is not completely abandoned or forgotten either. It is located in an overgrown area near a cow pasture. Amanda Clarke describes the site in her holy wells blog:
“The first glimpse of the well was exciting, a little green hump with a flat-topped stone sticking out of the top. The mound was a beehive-shaped wellhouse made out of chunky stones, now pretty much swamped with ivy and ferns. The single stone was a magnificent slab, carved with a highly evocative crucifixion” “The area around the well was dense with vegetation, but I could feel lumps and bumps of other stones underfoot. Behind the well, a large flat rock looked like a possible Mass Rock.”
(Clarke, 2018, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2018/10/02/causing-havoc-in-carrignavar/)
4 Cure
Lameness. Clarke records an oral account from a local man of a family member who had recovered the use of his or her legs and abandoned crutches after visiting the well. (Clarke, 2018, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2018/10/02/causing-havoc-in-carrignavar/)
5 Pattern day
the Pattern day is not recalled. Mass was formlerly said here regularly. Now, the rare mass is a memorial a year after the death of a parishoner.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
A quartz stone tucked into the ledge of the well is used for inscribing the cross on a figure whilst prayers are said. (Clarke, 2018, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2018/10/02/causing-havoc-in-carrignavar/)
8 Stories
A local man recalled how the well was special to his parents who would visit frequently. They enjoyed just sitting on the rock behind the well, admiring the view, taking in the peace. He wished he had listened more when they talked about the well for information passed with them. As Clarke adds " I think we all wish that about our parents.” (Clarke, 2018, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2018/10/02/causing-havoc-in-carrignavar/)
Trinity Well (Charleville). Dedicated to the Holy Trinity
2 Townland, County, GPS
Charleville, Co. Cork
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Currently abandoned and dried up. Located in a large cemetery in the outskirts of Charleville. The cemetery is dedicated to the Holy Cross.
“The well is roughly circular in shape, with a chunky stone and cement base out of which sprouts a fir tree, dead heathers surrounding it.”
(Clarke, 2017, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2017/08/26/st-declan-st-leonard-a-poor-child/)
10 More
Amanda Clarke notes in her survey of Cork wells “I have found no other information except for the rather mournful information that the well supposedly dried up because a diseased infant was bathed in it.”
(Clarke, 2017, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2017/08/26/st-declan-st-leonard-a-poor-child/)
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
“clearly signed from the road and approached down a long, damp trackway complete with horsetail shoots. The stone wellhouse, a colourful mound in a pool of bogginess, is semi-circular and bedecked with plastic flowers and eclectic offerings, a wooden cross placed atop. A large slab, now submerged, lies in front where pilgrims would kneel to do their devotions. A little bench placed sideways on, now waterlogged and disappearing amongst the bog grass, once offered a place for quiet contemplation.”
“Perhaps most interesting of all is the horseshoe shape curving around the well – the remains of a fulacht fiadh or burnt mound. Fulachtaí fia are plentiful in the Irish landscape, 4500 have been recorded, but easy to miss as many are eroded or ploughed out. They originally consisted of a mound of stones, a hearth used to heat the stones, and a trough, often lined with wood or stone, which was filled with water and into which the heated stones were placed to warm the water. The most popular theory is that they were used as cooking sites but other possibilities include sweat houses, and sites for dyeing and leather working.They mainly date from the Bronze Age but some continued to be used into the Medieval period. An excellent example of a fulacht fiadh in Cork can be seen at Drombeg.”
“The distinctive horseshoe-shaped mound made by the discarded stones is unusually clear at Trinity Well as it curves around the well and helps form the path taken during the rounds. The well itself seems to be in the very centre of the fulacht fiadh, perhaps replacing the original pit. This suggests that the origins of this intriguing well are very ancient indeed.”
(Clarke, 2016, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2016/05/16/trinity-well-newmarket/)
4 Cure
“the water is remarkably potent having many cures attributed to it. It is said to benefit all ailments but various stories tell of its success with legs in particular. One story recounts how a man crippled after an accident did the rounds on a donkey and was later able to walk home. Another local woman took her disabled son who had never walked, carried him on her back and took him to the well for three mornings running – on the third morning he was able to walk. Another story tells how a local chieftain, Maoilseachlainn Mac Amhlaoibh, fell asleep here and awoke with the gift of prophecy.”
(Clarke, 2016, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2016/05/16/trinity-well-newmarket/)
5 Pattern day
“The rounds however are paid on Trinity Sunday, a date dedicated to the Blessed Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Ideally you should visit on the three Sundays before and the Sunday afterwards as well.”
(Clarke, 2016, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2016/05/16/trinity-well-newmarket/)
6 Offerings
It is “customary to tie a rag on the clootie tree behind the well, a hawthorn adorned with rather faded cloths.”
(Clarke, 2016, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2016/05/16/trinity-well-newmarket/)
7 Prayer rounds and stations
“You travel around in a clockwise direction, saying five decades of the rosary. You finish off by taking three sips of water from the well, one for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit.”
(Clarke, 2016, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2016/05/16/trinity-well-newmarket/)
“A little fish is also said to live in the well, the sighting of which is of course excellent luck.”
(Clarke, 2016, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2016/05/16/trinity-well-newmarket/)
Staff of Jesus Holy Well, Bachall Íosa, Baghuleesa
2 Townland, County, GPS
Farthingville East, Co. Cork
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is currently abandoned.
“A jumble of stones around [the] base” of a multi-trunked hawthorne “was all that remained of any possible structure. There was no sign of any water either, though a stream ran close by”
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is enclosed by an earthy wall, with grass, Fuchsia bushes, and a stone pillar gate protecting the well. The well is coffin shaped and flush with the ground with a decorative window and the words "Marian Year 1954" written on the well in white pebbles. There is a blue PVC shelf below the white window with a small set of offerings to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Flower pots and other decorations are at the site.. A circular path surrounds the well with the intention of paying rounds clockwise. In front of and behind the well run channels to route the well overflow down the hill on which it sits.
4 Cure
The well is noted to have many cures, of which include sore eyes, any sore in general, and aching limbs. After paying rounds and saying prayers, the affected person may drink from a cup at the well and rub the water on their ailments.
5 Pattern day
People gather at the well the Saturday before St. John's and again in September.
6 Offerings
Offerings are placed onto the blue PVC shelf below the window. Items like candles, flowers, and small religious statues and medals are placed by the well.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
The well's prayer rounds are 9 rounds around the well and a repeated rosary every 3 rotations. Uniquely, the rounds are completed counterclockwise instead of clockwise--or the direction followed across Ireland has been confused in local tradition.
8 Stories
According to the School's Folklore Collection, there is one famous account of the well within the community: "One night a man called Barry went hunting a horse and he broke his leg. He was a long time lying on a settle bed near the fire and was not improving. There was a blessed well on the top of Cnoc an Óir, the name of it was Tobar na Croidhe (Well of the Bush). His mother took him on her back to this well, she brought home the moss of the well and rubbed it to his leg. She took him three times afterwards, and the third time he could walk it down. It never played on him again. His brother was sewing harness with a straddle needle. When he was pulling it out it stuck in his eye and blood spouted out of it. His mother took him to the same well and rubbed the moss to his eye. The third day he said to her I can see a trout in the bottom of the well. From that day out his eye was alright"
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well lies on the estate of the Toberdoney House, in a soft grassy area under a big ash tree. According to the author, the well is best visited in the dormant season, "before the grass, the nettles, and other vigorous weeds take over." The roots of the tree form a beehive-like well-house. A large stone, inscribed with the letters "SH OC 1788" and "TH 1700," serves as a water stop. (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
4 Cure
No specific cures are mentioned, but it is mentioned that pieces of cloth and clothing used to be tied to the tree, suggesting a hope for cures (Connolly and Moroney, 1998), (Conlon, 1999).
5 Pattern day
Though a thing of the past, it is said that in the early nineteenth century, large crowds gathered on the feast day of the patron saint (which is unclear, as the well used to be called "The Lord's Well" or "Sunday's Well"). Sporting events are said to have occurred (Moroney and Connolly, 1998).
6 Offerings
Pieces of cloth are mentioned; they were tied to the big ash tree (Connolly and Moroney, 1998), (Conlon, 1999).
7 Prayer rounds and stations
In 1835, the Townland Name Book records the well as "a place frequented for ablutions of Stations by the Vulgar" (Conlon, 1998).
9 Publications
"The Holy Wells of County Louth" Larry Conlon (1999)
"Stone and Tree Sheltering Waters: An Exploration of Sacred and Secular Wells in County Louth" Susan Connolly and Anne-Maire Moroney (1998)
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well rests right at the coastal water line in a hollow lined with big round stones. Despite the waves occasionally depositing sand, shells, stones, and more into the well, the water remains fresh. As of 1998, Mr. John Sarsfield cleans out the well in the winter, and takes care of it during the summer. He also collects the offerings, which range from stones and shells, to buttons, pins, religious medals, and more. He leaves candles for the the well's visitors (Connolly and Moroney, 1998) (Conlon, 2000).
4 Cure
People still visit the well for eye cures, which recent cures reported. In the past, the water was said to cure malarial fever and other diseases (Connolly and Moroney, 1998) (The Schools Collection).
5 Pattern day
Up to a century ago, "annual pattern took place at the well on the 7th of June, the feast of Saint Colman. The well was visited and from there a procession went to Salterstown Church and graveyard" (Moroney and Connolly, 1998).
6 Offerings
As mentioned previously, people leave stones, shells, beaded necklaces, pins, religious medals and more (Connolly and Moroney, 1998) (Conlon, 2000). It is also said that any people who take the offerings in ill will will confer the disease of the person who put the offering there (The Schools Collection).
8 Stories
According to the Schools Collection, a saint (likely Saint Colman, although it is unclear) and a chief, who didn't believe the saint was doing enough, went head-to-head at this spot. Upon being proven wrong by divine intervention involving the chief standing on one side of the scale, and a "God Bless You" spoken to the other side of the scale by the saint, the chief asked to be baptized then and there. Because there was no freshwater, the saint struck a rock with his staff and "there issued immediately forth a strong stream of water" (The Schools Collection)
9 Publications
"Holy Wells of County Louth" by Larry Conlon (2000)
The Schools Collection, Volume 0671, page 151-153: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008858/4961378
"Stone and Tree Sheltering Water: An Exploration of Sacred and Secular Wells in County Louth" by Susan Connolly and Anne-Marie Moroney (1998)
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Close to the sea, St. Dennis's Well is on a slope in a tall rectangular structure, and only holds water in the winter. There is a large slab covering the well, with initials and crosses carved carefully into the stone.. It is additionally described as "roughly 8 ft long, 3 ft 6 ins wide, and 2 ft 10 ins deep" (Corcoran et al., 1930).
The well is in a cove on a seashore, it is shallow and has a stone structure over it. There is a large stone a short distance from the well that is known as St. Dennis's stone, it is said to have an imprint of the saint's knees.
5 Pattern day
St. Dennis's Feast Day is on the 9th of October, and it is mentioned that "in times past there was an extended patterns which might have incorporated both dates." Connolly and Moroney also note that, "On the last day of the pattern, called 'Sheela's Monday,' the 'Mayor' of the area was paraded in ridiculous guise to the well where he was immersed. This custom came to an abrupt end when the last incumbent candidate nearly drowned!"
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Stations are mentioned, but it is unclear what they were (Connolly and Moroney, 1998) (Corcoran et al. 1930). It was also supposedly a pilgrimage destination (Corcoran et al., 1930).
8 Stories
It is said that when he was young, St. Dennis worked for a farmer in Clogherhead. He prayed at the well early every Sunday. Later, he was noticed by a priest, who sent word of him to the Pope, and eventually St. Dennis went to Rome. On his return voyage, he was shipwrecked and his body was swept into Clogher on a huge stone (St. Dennis's stone).
It is said that, in the last century, a sailor who lost his leg had it re-attached after making a pattern at the well (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
9 Publications
The Schools' Collection", Volume 0675, pages 28-31: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008868/4962270
"The Holy Wells of County Louth" by Larry Conclon, (1999), pages 346-347: https://www.jstor.org/stable/27729850?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
The Schools' Collection", Volume 0675, pages 28-31: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008868/4962270
"The Holy Wells of County Louth" by Larry Conclon, (1999), pages 346-347: https://www.jstor.org/stable/27729850?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
"Walk to explore Clogherhead's great coastal history," Drogheda Independent, 2011: https://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/news/walk-to-explore-clogherheads-great-coastal-history-27157612.html
"Townland Survey of County Louth" P. Corcoran, P. Ua Dubhda, S. Ua Mhairtin, and J.G. MacCooey (1930)
10 More
An article in the Drogheda Independent includes St. Dennis's Well in the Annagassan and District Historical Society walk around the coastline, and mentions "unusual carvings" in the stone (Drogheda Independent, 2011). Additionally, for more information about St. Dennis's colorful past, see The Schools Collection page here: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008868/4962269/5077003
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Set in a steep slope and surrounded by tall trees, the Trinity Well has a well-house constructed of stone and red brick. On the "gable" of the well-house lies a stone cross. THe water itself is lined by vegetation, and, in the autumn, a plant called a Himalayan Balsam plant springs up. The seed pods explode when touched, so the plants are also called "Jumping Jack" (Connolly and Moroney, 1998). The water is sparkling, clear, and cold (The Schools Collection).
4 Cure
There are many stories of miraculous cures including (all are from the Schools Collection):
A blind girl went to the well three times, and, coming home the third time, said to her mother, "I can see the daisies."
A crippled individual was brought to the well, and people made stations from him. On Trinity-Eve, he walked home.
A woman whose head was permanently turned to one side applied the water to her neck and was cured.
5 Pattern day
The Pattern Day used to be held on Trinity Sunday (around the end of May/beginning of June), until 1933. People used to dress the well with arches and flowers. By walking under the arches and taking three sips of the water from a mug, people blessed themselves.
6 Offerings
Cloth was tied to nearby trees, and as it broke down, the person was cured (The Schools Collection).
7 Prayer rounds and stations
According to The Schools Collection, "It was customary to pay nine visits to the well, to say... seven Our Fathers and seven Hail Marys while kneeling stone to stone. Then, a little piece of cloth was left on a twig nearby and it is said that as the cloth withered, the person [associated] with the cloth was cured." Three drinks, three visits, or drinks or visits in multiples of three are common and associated with miracles. On Trinity-Eve, a few locals used to clean out the well, wash it, and decorate it with flowers (it is unclear if this is practiced anymore).
8 Stories
It is said that St. Patrick baptized children at the well, as well as the "blessed Oliver Plunkett." It is also said that a man went to the well on Trinity-Eve at midnight for water, but instead his bucket filled with wine. This resulted in people visiting the well at midnight on Trinity-Eve for the first of the waters, but this custom has since died out (The Schools Collection).
9 Publications
The Schools Collection, Volume 0675, Page 119-123: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008871/4962360
Database of Irish Excavation Reports, Mary G. O'Donnell (2001): https://excavations.ie/report/2001/Louth/0006816/
"Stone and Tree Shletering Water: An Exploration of Sacred and Secular Wells in County Louth" by Susan Connolly and Anne-Marie Moroney (1998)
10 More
It is noted in the Trinity Well excavation report that the site has, "no archaeological significance" (O'Donnell, 2001). It is also noted that people used to bottle and take water back home on Trinity Sunday (The Schools Collection).