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
The well is half a mile north of the town, close to the old road leading to the Knockmealdown Mountains, which is now a shortcut to Mount Melleray (Broderick 2016: 53). There are flagstones covered in lichen nearby.
4 Cure
It is not specified, but is believed to be holy water, due to a nearby apparition of Mary.
5 Pattern day
The pattern day was on September 8th but pilgrimage is no longer taking place in the same fashion.
6 Offerings
No offerings are noted at this time.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
The pilgrims used to make rounds reciting the rosary.
8 Stories
It used to be a place of singular veneration for the local people, and many in the town no longer know that it exists. There is a poem included in Broderick’s account.
9 Publications
Broderick, Eugene. 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford. 53.
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
Branigan records that the well “is located on Church Road, south of the ruined church and graveyard…a large white-washed structure originally built in the fourteenth century improved on [some] of the occasions since. It resembles a miniature church and is open at both ends. There are [tunnels] at each end, one with a cross, and the other with a niche which holds a statue of […] Mary” (Branigan 2012: 74).
The well is engraved with:
“[…] ’I H S Holy Mary pray for us’
[…] ‘O blessed mother and ever virgin glorious queen of the world make intercession […to our Lord] Amen.’
[…] Vouchsafe that I may praise thee O sacred Virgin Obtain for me force against thy […]’”
(Branigan 2012: 74).
4 Cure
Cures sprains, cuts, bruises, and rheumatism.
5 Pattern day
“The practice was for the pilgrim to crawl on hands and knees around the well and, lying on their stomachs, put their head inside the well house and drink directly from the water. A large pattern was held here in times past on Lady Day, 8 September, and like at other wells, drunkenness and violence eventually crept in, culminating in the death of a man in 1760 during a fight at the well” (Branigan 2012: 77).
8 Stories
The well was “originally dedicated to St Cuthbert but rededicated in or around 1300” (Branigan 2012: 74).
The well was supported “by Henry VI in the fifteenth century and provided with a financial fund to maintain local Marian shrines, particularly Lady’s Well. During their guardianship numerous improvements were made to the well structure and subsequent to the Order being disbanded on the King’s death, care of the well was undertaken by members of the Gracedieu Nunnery who also built onto the previous structure” (Branigan 2012: 77).
“Legend has it that the well was offended and it moved from the other side of the road to where it is situated now. It is also held that there are nine cures in the water, but nobody knows what they all are” (Branigan 2012: 77).
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland. Dublin: The History Press Ireland.
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.