3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well resides in the garden of the private residence of Jackie Tyrrell, as of 1998. Situated under a huge, 250-year old ash tree, you can find the well through the small gate in the wall. At the bottom of the well lies a circular depression, and is lined with stones. The water is clear. It rests near the ruins of Saint Feichín's monastery, as demonstrated by the cemetery and high crosses, which also signal the importance of the site (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
5 Pattern day
Saint Feichín's Feast Day is on January 20th. It was celebrated with stations (Connolly and Moroney, 1998)
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Stations ceased around 1820. (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
9 Publications
"Townland Survey of County Louth (Continued)" by Donald Murphy (1988)
"Stone and Tree Sheltering Water: An Exploration of Sacred and Secular Wells in County Louth" by Susan Connolly and Anne-Marie Moroney (1998)
"The Footsteps of St. Feighin in Co. Louth" by Thomas Gogarty (1908)
10 More
When building his church, a raven was said to snatch the hat of Saint Feichín's foreman. It then dropped it on the ground out the current site. Taking this to be a sign from the Almighty, he moved the building to the site of the current well. This might have contributed to the well's holy status (Murphy, 1988).
The well is on Omey Island near Connemara, Co. Galway.
GPS: 53.534517, -10.172842
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Access to the well is based on the opening and closing of the sea on the shore of Omey Island. The well itself is on a grassy shore and is encircled by stacked stones about three feet high. At the head of the spring there is a large wooden cross where visitors place their offerings.
4 Cure
The well is known for its general curative properties for a manner of physical ailments
9 Publications
Hoffstot, Darlyn Brewer. “Where Legends Outnumber People.” The New York Times. Aug. 1, 1999. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/01/travel/where-legends-outnumber-people.html
Photo by Michael Gibbons