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 well is located “near Killeen Castle…Today the well is located on an island in the middle of the lake, just beside the driveway to the Club House at Killeen” (French 2012: 46).
4 Cure
Cures warts. French notes that “in the 1930s there as a big stone with the carved heads of saints at the well…To be cured you had to say five ‘Our Father’, five ‘Hail Mary’s’ and five ‘Glory be to the Fathers’ to each of the stone heads” (French 2012: 46).
8 Stories
“In medieval times there was a confraternity at Killeen dedicated to the Blessed Virgin” (French 2012: 46).
9 Publications
French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
“In Killyon Manor grounds Lady Well is situated at the side of the avenue to the house, near the graveyard. Near the site of the well is a pre-historic tumulus and the site may have been the site of a chieftain’s residence” (French 2012: 46-47).
4 Cure
“Large crowds attended the well in the 1930s, many taking water in the hope of a cure of toothache or some other pain” (French 2012: 47).
5 Pattern day
“In the 1930s pilgrims visited the Killyon well on 15 August and did the rounds…the well is visited on its pattern day, when ceremonies take place at 3’oclock and also on the days prior and after the day” (French 2012: 47).
7 Prayer rounds and stations
“While reciting the Rosary pilgrims walked in a circle on the five flat stones which surround the well, saying fifteen Hail Mary’s, three at each of the five steps. Pilgrims then blessed themselves with the water” (French 2012: 47).
8 Stories
“A local tradition stated that at the time of St Patrick the residence was donated to Liadhán, who founded a church there. The first bishops of Clonard/Meath had their residence at Killyon. Legend says that one August morning a priest was about to say Mass in the little church at Killyon when he discovered that there was no water. The nearest well was some distance away but when he went outside the church the priest discovered that a well had spring up no more than ten yards away from the gable of the building” (French 2012: 47).
“In the 1830s John O’Donovan notes the holy well in the churchyard at Killyon. He described the well at the gable of the old church and states that it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. According to O’Donovan St Kieran of Ossory founded the church of Killyon for his mother Liadain” (French 2012: 47).
9 Publications
French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.
10 More
The level of the water in the well is dependent on the level of water in the nearby Deel river. The water in the well was very low until it rises up on the 15 August. In the 1940s a pattern was held every August when the parishioners marched in procession from Killyon Church. Having reached the well the Parish Priest recited the Rosary. Afterwards a sports meeting was held in the G.A.A. grounds not far from the well. In the Marian Year of 1954 Fr Matthew Clavin P.P erected as a statue of Our Lady and reconstructed the stonework around the well. The well was again restored in 1999” (French 2012: 47).
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is located “in the Castle Demesne among the banks of the river Boyne. In the 1830s the Ordance Survey letters notes Lady Well, Tobar Muire, about a quarter of a mile north of the Hermitage of Erc” (French 2012: 48).
4 Cure
Cures sore throat, toothache, and sore eyes.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
“Pilgrims usually accessed the grounds by the Gothic Gates. In the 1930s crowds visited the well and the Rosary was said at 3 o’clock by one of the priests of the parish” (French 2012: 49).
8 Stories
“There were many stories recorded by school children in the 1930s in relation to the Lady Well. The water in the well is said to rise up at midnight on the night before the 15 August. The children wrote that previous landowners tried to close the well and prevent pilgrims coming to worship. The well sprang up nearby and when it was closed again it moved for the second time. Another story is that the gates of demesne were closed to prevent entry by pilgrims but the water in the well rose up and flooded the grounds of the castle. Orders were given to open the gates and immediately the water receded. From that time onwards the gates of the demesne were always open on 15 August 15” (French 2012: 48-49).
French records that “a man named Tom Neill visited the well about 1920 when he was almost blind. Having bathed his eyes with water from the well and prayed to the Blessed Virgin, his sight was almost fully restored. A disabled child collecting sticks was supposed to have been cured at the well” (French 2012: 49).
Some of the pilgrims visited the nearby Hermitage of Erc and viewed the Apostle’s Stone which displayed figures of the twelve disciples. Slane prepared for the months before Lady Day and a sports day and fair evolved from the pilgrimage. Thousands of pilgrims descended on the village from all the surrounding area and further afield. The hungry crowds were fed in local houses and the pubs did a great trade. The Lady Well festivities were revived in 2008” (French 2012: 49).
9 Publications
French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Power notes the well is "Covered by stone-built dome, lined internally with coursed, water-rolled stones. Stone-built altar to SE of well” (Power, 1993: 281).
Amanda Clarke notes: The well itself is nicely constructed with blocks of stone forming an arch, the interior lined with waterborne pebbles. The canopy was put up in 1952 when the site was renovated – the steps were also cut into the rock and the statue of the BVM was also erected (it took four strong men to get her up there!)
4 Cure
There is healing associated with the well. A story tells of how a young girl from Drimoleague was brought here in a chair, unable to walk. She saw the eel and was reputedly cured, no longer needing the chair for her return journey home. When the statue of the BVM was put up in 1952, some of the money received towards the cost, came from the granddaughter of the girl who was said to have been cured (see Amanda Clarke https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/tag/beach/)
5 Pattern day
Open air mass takes place on 15th of August. The rounds were said here on the 15th August, the Feast of the Assumption, and on the 8th December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The site is dedicated to the BVM but the original patron may have been St Gobnait, who has her shrine at Ballyvourney. https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/tag/beach/
6 Offerings
religious statutes, rosary beads, coins, flowers
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Johnny Crowley, a local historian, explains what you had to do:
Tis a very devout place. and there have been healings attached to it. The rounds is done here on the 15th August. The rounds then consisted of 15 decades of the Rosary, going up one side of the path by the altar and down and round the other. The tradition was to take 15 small pebbles and as you passed the well you dropped one in. You know you had the 15 decades finished when you dropped the last pebble in the well. When you threw in the 15th stone and said your Hail Holy Queen, if an eel that was in the well jumped up in the water, the main part of your wish would be given…
(Sheep’s Head Way booklet) https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/tag/beach/
8 Stories
Extract from the Schools’ Folklore Collection:
There is a holy well about a mile and a half to the west of the town and it is called Lady’s Well. This well is situated in the townland called Beach. Some people go to this place on certain days, giving rounds. It is generally on the feast of the Assumption, the fifteenth of August, they go there. They walk around the well fifteen times, and each time they say an Our Father, A Hail Mary, and a Glory Be to the Father, they then say the Rosary. Sometimes people are cured of diseases by making rounds at the well, and by drinking the water out of it. When people go to the well, they always leave some token there, such as a rosary beads, medals, prayer books or a coin. There are many crutches and sticks, placed around the well, those were left there by people who had been cured by praying and by drinking the water of the well. In olden times, it is said that Our Lady used to be seen there. (055/056: 0281) https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/tag/beach/ (Amanda Clarke)
9 Publications
See Amanda Clarke's https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/tag/beach/
Power, Denis, et al. 1993. “Archaeological Inventory of County Cork.” Volume 1: West Cork. Stationary Office, Dublin.
10 More
Like some holy wells across the country, Lady's Well has an adjacent mass rock. Amanda Clarke describes this: The Mass Rock was used during Penal Times (1695-1756), one of many open air places of worship resorted to when conducting Mass was illegal and priests in danger of their lives. Maybe the site was chosen because of its proximity to the holy well.
Another story from the Sheep’s Head Way booklet and Johnny Crowley:
Lady’s Well, a little hollowed glen, was used as a Mass Rock in Penal times. In the Bantry area during these times the priest wasn’t hunted, provided he kept out of the way, certainly of the Landlord, and didn’t make a big scene about the religious practices. At the Penal time then, there was a story that there was a change of command of the soldiers at their headquarters in Donemark Mills. Somebody took the advantage of notifying the new captain in charge that there would be Mass in the morning at Holy Well and the new captain could capture a priest for himself. And that somebody no doubt got some money for his information. And seemingly they did send soldiers out to the Mass at the Well, and the story was that when they appeared on the high ground in front, the priest decided to take his chalice and host and hide it and began to run, but the people watching saw what they thought was a Lady with the light blue cloak on the rock behind the altar where the Statue is now. The Lady slipped the cloak down over the whole thing and blocked off the scene of the altar and the Mass from the soldiers. And when the soldiers saw this, they turned away and left…. https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/tag/beach/
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.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Saint Ronan's Well is accessible by following a lane between the nearby school and the Catholic Church, though there is a wire fence to keep animals out. It used to be a bog, but, upon losing its banks, the spring broke away and now flows south from a large circular hollow (Conlon, 1999). The water, which varies in intensity throughout the year, trickles out from under an elder bush, where it travels towards the field and seeps into the ground (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
4 Cure
5 Pattern day
Saint Ronan's feast day is November 30th, but it is unclear whether or not that was additionally a pattern day for the spring (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
6 Offerings
None are mentioned.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Stations did occur, but they appear to have stopped sometime in the 18th century (Conlon, 1999).
8 Stories
The well has "moved" as previously mentioned. The farm owner where the well currently rests is Mr. James Dullagahn. He tells the traditional story of the overnight position change as due to the fact that an "irreligious woman used the well to wash filthy clothing" (The Schools Collection).
An older woman states that when "she was a little girl she often heard her father speak of having seen the field in which the well stood thronged with pilgrims and priests hearing confessions and giving Communion in one corner of it. She thinks... she heard her father say that the pilgrimage... was on the 15th [of] August, and that many cures were wrought there." (The Schools' Collection)
9 Publications
The Schools' Collection, Volume 0665, Page 440
"The Holy Wells of County Louth" by Larry Conlon (1999)
"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
The spring well is c. 1.5m below ground level with stone steps leading down to it, revetted and surrounded by a large D-shaped cairn of stones. There is a cross, depicted in white marble, above the well. (Source Archaeological Survey of Ireland). Scenic setting close to a farm house. The well is enclosed within a small field surrounded by a stone wall. Very well cared for, grass is kept low and some planters are set up near the well. A cup is present for drinking the water.
4 Cure
Unknown
5 Pattern day
Formerly pilgrimage to the well took place on the last Sunday of July until August 15th. Mass is now celebrated at the well on August 15th every year.
6 Offerings
A small number of rosary beads and rags on a nearby hedge.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
No stations
8 Stories
Tradition has it that St Attracta killed a monster living in the glen at a place called Lug na Paiste or Hollow of the Beast. St Barbara, a companion of St Attracta, has a well dedicated to her which is situated close by.
9 Publications
No
10 More
This entry contributed by Tamlyn McHugh, please cite her as source.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
From an account collected by William Canning in 1939: "There is a cement path, with steps, leading down to the well with a wall three and a half feet high on each side of the path. Along the bottom of the wall small palm trees and beautiful flowers are sown."
The modern appearance of the well appears largely unchanged, and it remains well-maintained, the walls are white-washed with bright blue accents, with gold lettering above the well dedicating it to "Our Queen, Our Mother".
4 Cure
From Canning's record in 1939: "sores and other diseases" were believed to be cured at this well.
5 Pattern day
The Patron's Day is 15 August, the feast day dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. However, Mr. Dempsey writes in his account that celebrations were held here on 8 September, a feast day dedicated to St. Mary's birth.
8 Stories
From Canning's 1939 record, we're told that the well was maintained by an older woman who lived in Tullow at that time. It is unclear who may be maintaining the well currently.
9 Publications
For a historical account, please see Irish National Folklore Collection, School's Collection, Volume 0908 PP 117-118, here: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5044683/5031694
For a modern source, please see Jim Dempsey's work here: http://www.megalithicireland.com/Tullowphelim%20Holy%20Well,%20Carlow.html
10 More
Canning's historical account names the well as being near Ballmurphy road, which is now connected to the modern Barrack Street in Tullow. The exact coordinates of the well cannot be found at this time.
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)
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
"The well site lies at the end of a short unfinished road extension on the east side of the N18 road to Gort, accessible through a small opening opposite the industrial estate entrance on the other side of the road. The site was well chosen in that it has a cover of mature trees creating a natural grove [...] At the entrance to the site are four grottos that contained religious figures, included one of Saint Joseph. Some figures are now missing or broken [...] Overall a sense of neglect pervades the place. The main well was without water" (Houlihan 2015: 106).
4 Cure
It cures eyes and headaches.
5 Pattern day
Rounds are done on the saint's feast day, March 19. Mass is held there on August 15 along with a clean up of the site.
9 Publications
Houlihan, Michael. 2015. The Holy Wells of County Clare. Castleisland, Co. Kerry: Walsh Colour Print.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is located “in Monktown parish…there was a flag stone, bearing the impression of [St Patrick’s] knees and crosier, which could be seen in a drain in O’Donovan’s time…this well appears on later OS maps but in different locations in the townland…This well never ran dry and even in the sultry summer weather the water was as cold and fresh as ice. People did not use the water for household purposes, nor did they disturb the well in any way” (French 2012: 16-17).
5 Pattern day
15 August
8 Stories
“Christopher Macken, who lived near the chapel of Walterstown, used to own the field in which the well was located. It is said that Christopher, brought home the stone that was at the well and put it into the hearth at the fireplace. From that day on, he never had a day’s bad luck” (French 2012: 16).
“Another story has It that the stone was used by the local landlords, the Wilkinsons, in a farm building. In the 1930’s the lands were owned by the Caffrey family. It is said that St Patrick knelt at this well on his journey from Slane to Tara and left the mark of his knees on the stone. St Patrick drank out of this well using a cup shaped like a bell, similar to a sheep bell. There were three streams running from this well. One runs into the Baushla and the other one runs into Danestown. Mrs. McCabe of Realthogue told the story that the mark of St Patrick’s knee could be seen in the stone beside the well where he knelt down to take a drink” (French 2012: 16-17).
9 Publications
French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is located “in Monktown parish…there was a flag stone, bearing the impression of [St Patrick’s] knees and crosier, which could be seen in a drain in O’Donovan’s time…this well appears on later OS maps but in different locations in the townland…This well never ran dry and even in the sultry summer weather the water was as cold and fresh as ice. People did not use the water for household purposes, nor did they disturb the well in any way” (French 2012: 16-17).
5 Pattern day
15 August
8 Stories
“Christopher Macken, who lived near the chapel of Walterstown, used to own the field in which the well was located. It is said that Christopher, brought home the stone that was at the well and put it into the hearth at the fireplace. From that day on, he never had a day’s bad luck” (French 2012: 16).
“Another story has It that the stone was used by the local landlords, the Wilkinsons, in a farm building. In the 1930’s the lands were owned by the Caffrey family. It is said that St Patrick knelt at this well on his journey from Slane to Tara and left the mark of his knees on the stone. St Patrick drank out of this well using a cup shaped like a bell, similar to a sheep bell. There were three streams running from this well. One runs into the Baushla and the other one runs into Danestown. Mrs. McCabe of Realthogue told the story that the mark of St Patrick’s knee could be seen in the stone beside the well where he knelt down to take a drink” (French 2012: 16-17).
9 Publications
French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
It is in boggy ground but the water continuously bubbles up, the excess water flows into a nearby stream.
4 Cure
The water cures asthma and other chest ailments. Part of the cure involves leaving something tied to a nearby thorn bush, and when it decays the ailment should be cured. If someone removes an item from the well site, they will receive the disease that the item was intended to cure.
5 Pattern day
It was celebrated on August 15th, although generally it is not now (although it may still be visited).
6 Offerings
Items left are mostly pieces of cloth such as clothing that are tied to a nearby thorn bush, other items like coins are also thrown in the well.
9 Publications
"The Holy Wells of County Louth" by Larry Conlon, 1999. Pg. 466-467: https://www.jstor.org/stable/27729850?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
"The Schools' Collection", Volume 0668, pg 381: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008848/4960954/5077826