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/
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 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.
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).
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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.
Tobar Chuain is dedicated to Saint Cuan and Saint Brogan.
2 Townland, County, GPS
The well is located in the townland of Mothel in County Waterford.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is located at a site of an old monastery said to be build by the saints. While the building no longer stands, there are small relics of the structure, near its location. There is also a large tree said to stand at the site of the original altar built in the monastery.
4 Cure
It is said that the well holds curative properties for many common ailments, specifically sore eyes.
5 Pattern day
In the past, the pattern day was held on July 10th. However, the day now falls on the Sunday closest to the 10th.
6 Offerings
Votive offerings of hair are tied to the tree next to the well.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Pilgrims are to make nine rounds around the well In doing this, they walk without shoes through a shallow stream that contains water from the well. Pilgrims will also carry a small stone with them and then place it on a heap of rocks once they had finished their rounds.
8 Stories
It is said that there were two small trout that lived in the well, and that these fish were the embodiment of Saints Cuan and Brogan. Once, a man from outside the village tried to steal the fish and was promptly chased by the villagers until he dropped the fish.
9 Publications
Broderick, Eugene. 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford.
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0633, Page 374
St. Colman's Well, although also closely related with St. Declan because of their close relationship. It is said that St. Colman baptized Declan and converted his parents to Christianity.
2 Townland, County, GPS
Kilcolman townland, County Waterford
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is in the parish of Ardmore, located in close proximity to Colman's church in the parish. The well features the Crann Cholmain (St Colman’s Tree) nearby, which is a thorn tree said to have been planted by Colman himself from a dry stick that took root in the ground when walking past his church and is considered sacred (Broderick, 2016: 50).
4 Cure
The well is believed to hold curative properties for headaches. In order to obtain the cure, one must fully immerse their heads in the water or drink the water (Broderick, 2016: 50).
5 Pattern day
There was once a pattern day, but it is no longer observed at the site. No further information is known about the specific date. (Broderick, 2016: 50)
6 Offerings
No information was provided on the offerings at the site.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
No information was provided on neither the rounds nor the stations at the site.
8 Stories
There is a story told by the local people about a man that attempted to break off branches from this thorn tree to burn, and went back to find his house perceivably on fire. When he returned to his house, it was not on fire so he went back for the sticks, and the fire seemed to be ablaze again. He went to put out the flames again, but it was not ablaze. During the third trip for the sticks, he returned to his house completely burnt down (Broderick, 2016: 50-51). This thorn tree is said to never be destroyed and is considered sacred.
Another story closely associated is that Saints Declan and Colman were very close and that was reflected in the very notion of where and how the church came into existence. Saint Colman is believed to have prophesied how Declan was to bring greatness to Ireland and foretold how he would evangelize the Délsi people, which is central to heritage in the county. (Broderick 2016:50)
9 Publications
Broderick, Eugene. 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
There are actually three wells on site. The main well is dedicated to St. Brigid (Tobar Brigde). The other two are St. Mary's Well (Tobar Muire) and the Well of Jesus (Tobar Íosa). All are in a field located to the south of the ruined Kilrossanty Parish Church & Graveyard.
4 Cure
Cures for sore eyes, pains and aches.
5 Pattern day
On St. Brigid's Day (February 1st) folks circle the old graveyard three times, saying the rosary each time.