3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
"Reaching Killinaboy on the R476 road from Corofin, turn right at the T-junction onto local road I 1112, signposted for Boston. Take the first minor road on the right and then left at the fork. A farm track on the left after 300-400 metres, leading to a gate indicates the location. [...] The well here is very simple, being a dry-stone wall piled around a hollow..." (Houlihan 2015: 111).
4 Cure
It has a cure for warts (Houlihan 2015: 112).
5 Pattern day
The pattern day is 29th of December.
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
It is near Kilkee town, County Clare, a mile or so up the west coast road leading towards Carrigholt
4 Cure
The well is known for its curative properties to people's eyes and its moss has been exported to the USA for many years.
6 Offerings
It is customary to leave mementos to loved ones who are sick or in need of help inside the well.
8 Stories
The well in Kilkee holds sentimental value to me. I left a part of my late wife's necklace in the Well just five years ago to remember her and the family who miss her.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well during an earlier time was surrounded by ferns and greenness until the trees were cut down and the ecosystem changed the climate in the area surrounding the well. The well area itself is still surrounded by trees, but the larger area has been cut down. There are ruined walls from a 7th-century oratory. The Saint’s "Bed" is a limestone cave higher above and behind the well. The site has a bullaun stone covered in moss. The well has a rag tree that is visited by tourists. It is not an original part of the well site (see Houlihan, 2015).
5 Pattern day
Colman’s feast day is celebrated on October 29th.
6 Offerings
Tourists leave offerings on the rag tree.
9 Publications
Houlihan, Michael. 2015. The Holy Wells of County Clare.
O’Donovan, J. and Curry E. 1839. ‘The Ordnance Survey Letters of Co Clare’, http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/osl/oughtmama3_masduachs_well.htm.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Houlihan states that the well is, "about four kilometres south of Lahinch and east of the Lahinch-Milltown Malbay N67 road. [...] It is located in a sheltered hollow [and] is surrounded by a wall. The spring has crystal clear waters and is protected by a flagstone roof" (Houlihan 2015: 103).
4 Cure
Houlihan states, "The well retains a reputation for cures for many ailments. [...] if worried, you bring your cares here, pray and await a response. I met one individual who believes that a cure for a serious illness was greatly facilitated by the holy well saint" (Houlihan 2015: 104)
5 Pattern day
Annual Mass is celebrated every July and on Christmas Eve night people put candles around the well and pray. This is probably in associated with Saint Anastasia's feastday on December 25.
8 Stories
St. Anastasia is a 6th century martyr saint venerated predominantly by Eastern Orthodox communities and her relics are in her cathedral at Zadar, Croatia (Houlihan, 2015:103).
9 Publications
Houlihan, Michael. 2015. The Holy Wells of County Clare. Castleisland, Co. Kerry: Walsh Colour Print.
10 More
People often take bottles and fill them with well water to take home.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The site is currently very overgrown. Locals recently added trees and a dry-stone wall enclosure surrounding the spring with an opening to the well. There is a stone ledge over the spring were offerings are left.
4 Cure
The well can cure sore eyes and head ailments.
5 Pattern day
The well does not have an annual gathering now, but the Saint has a feast day on October 29.
6 Offerings
Offerings include cigarette lighters, rosaries, horseshoes, stones, and religious figurines.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Prayer rounds are done on Sundays.
9 Publications
Houlihan, Michael. 2015. The Holy Wells of County Clare.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well has an associated ash tree with a small altar to display saint figurines. Under the tree, the well is covered by a small, white roof on top of rough hewn stones (Houlihan 2015: 97).
9 Publications
Houlihan, Michael. The Holy Wells of County Clare. 2015. Castleisland, Co. Kerry: Walsh Colour Print.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Houlihan states that the well "sits tight between a small rock face and the fast flowing Ballynacally Creek. The low cliff wall here has been utilised for the placement of statues and candles, with a small Lourdes grotto at the lower end of the site. There are also separate niches for the BVM and to the Child of Prague. The well has two openings -- one for blessings after prayers and a second generally used to collect water for home use" (Houlihan 2015: 121).
5 Pattern day
11 November, St. Martin's feast day
8 Stories
"[11 November], sometimes called Martinmas, was once held in high regard across Europe, with a custom of killing an animal or bird and sprinkling some of its blood on or around the homestead as protection for the coming year. This tradition was maintained until modern times in west Clare" (Houlihan 2-15: 122).
"A feature of the Ballynacally blessed wellpractive is night visitation when the walls and grottos are festooned with lighted candles" (Houlihan 2015: 122).
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 in the middle of a town and next to it is a yellow building with a large, glass case on top. Inside the case is a statue of an angel (Houlihan 2015: 91).
9 Publications
Houlihan, Michael. The Holy Wells of County Clare. 2015. Castleisland, Co. Kerry: Walsh Colour Print.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is marked by a large pine tree. Cut-stone steps lead down to the spring that still contains fresh water. There is a modern Celtic cross on the wall above.
4 Cure
This well can heal eyes
9 Publications
The Holy Wells of County Clare. 2015
http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/folklore/folklore_survey/chapter14.htm
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is located to the right of the old Boy's School near the Hill of Tulla (Tulla Graveyard). There are steps that lead down to the well. A celtic cross is located at the top of the well wall. There is a stone in front of the well that bears the marks of St. Mochulla's knee.
4 Cure
The well water is supposed to have a curative power for sore eyes.
5 Pattern day
23 March and 23 June. Visits to the well took place on these days.
6 Offerings
Rosary beads are often left nearby.
9 Publications
Tulla Reaching Out Publication "Reflections from Home and Abroad" 2016. St. Mochulla, Patron Saint of Tulla by Sr. Eileen Callinan.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
"The holy well is a part of a larger sacred landscape that begins with a cairn of stones northeast of the well (Senan's Altar) and directly east of the local graveyard [...] It includes a mound, trees, and an important birthstone (Leacht Sheanáin),where the rounds continue." (Houlihan 2015: 110).
4 Cure
"The well is said to help sore eyes and to have offered a remedy against bots, a parasitic infestation in horses, in the past" (Houlihan 2015: 110).
5 Pattern day
The well is visited on the saint's feast day, March 8th.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
The rounds go around the graveyard, mound, and birthstone in the area of the well.
8 Stories
A lake in the area was supposedly miraculously created by Saint Senan.
9 Publications
Houlihan, Michael. 2015. The Holy Wells of County Clare. Castleisland, Co. Kerry: Walsh Colour Print.
The well is located on Carrig Island in Kerry County
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is at the site of an abandoned friary likely from the 13th century. The building is in ruins and the well is currently inaccessible. It is believed that there are stone lining and steps down to the subterranean well.
6 Offerings
The well is secluded and abandoned on an island. Access is limited and no offerings are given.
8 Stories
Ther well was thought to have some corredpondence with that of St. Senan on Scattery Island, which lies literally opposite off the Clare Coast (Clarke, 2020: https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2020/02/21/st-senan-friends/)