1
35
52
-
https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/25126/archive/files/9f9acce2d1e2d705514951192940fcfe.jpg?Expires=1712793600&Signature=nxIb0to4oDJjiQ-WQfMx2esV2ytPDRK-f4XQNYt5%7EHg21VSldErzy5kt3m30WiJJOlis8D-1E35q%7EDN8aZfoEuyCNvUXM8TJMq8yRkxbLtuANWPoRDfP-5hs%7E7fXisHBP918A2D7QCQWCD9IfLFOUANEh4awWN05x4qOojrlDwIWZ50Ht-oCh5bcoptd6i7tywSqBD3YPpoMPXn1Z6OWPudW35nao0VX6ufqg9oRgdn0L2lmdpdX5MyaMU0IRLtEjlIl9Cdo2LL1kwr50qgt-w%7EEPpOcw3vV-ewpkxnqAxhFcEqm3MtQyE17SdanIXtbgJACZcUAub81q9rnBu5ggA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
c3e45b6e7336032db0013d45bce2a4dc
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Mayo
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St. Mary's Well (AKA Tobar Mhuire/Tober-Murry/Lady Well)
2 Townland, County, GPS
Townland of Rosserk, Co. Mayo (54.168827, -9.144540)
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is situated at the confluence of the Rosserk River and the River Moy (west bank), near Rosserk Abbey. The well is situated about 500m from a small carpark situated on the right hand side of the road, before Rosserk Abbey. It is accessed via a boreen, known as 'the Rosary Path'.
4 Cure
The waters from the well are credited with curative properties, particularity for eyes.
5 Pattern day
The Patron Day was 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but pilgrims visited from that day until 8 September.
6 Offerings
Mostly rosary beads, scapulars and religious statues, as well as rags or tissue paper. Mostly attached to a hawthorn tree, which grows from the roof of the stone structure over the well, but also on other hawthorn trees in the immediate vicinity and on nearby fencing.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
There are a several numbered spots at the site.
9 Publications
1. Monsignor O'Hara (1898) "Rosserk and Moyne, Co. Mayo". Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Fifth Series, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 258-263.
2. John O'Donovan/Michael O'Flanagan (1927) 'Letters containing information relative to the antiquities of the County of Mayo: collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1838'.
10 More
According to tradition, the well is situated at the site of an apparition of the Virgin Mary that took place c. 1680.
In 1798, a local landowner named John Lynott built a little stone-vaulted building over the well; an inscription reads: 'This chapel was built in honour of the Blessed Virgin in the year of Our Lord 1798, by John Lynott, of Rosserk.' Beneath this inscription is a large figure of a dove with the words 'Pax' (peace) and 'Amor' (Love). Beneath this are two other slabs with inscriptions in Latin, bearing the years 1684 and 1810.
See also: http://www.sacredlandscapes.ie/tobar-mhuire.html
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St Mary's Well (Mayo)
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Brendan McGowan
August 15
eyes
Lady Well
Mayo
Religious Statues
Rosary beads
Rosserk
Scapular
September 8
St Mary
St Mary's Well
Tobar Mhuire
Tober-Murry
-
https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/25126/archive/files/9787c9a2babb49dbd2262a1ccae1ecad.jpg?Expires=1712793600&Signature=Egd97OZmpxiYeGV4lvufp57HX4W7HtDUMLXE36QkeanA6bMCKwod1sMMUrO4IKoNSaZ78yG30Loqq15bPjXVu4vtHakkBDIan54CVWHI%7E5%7EuzHebHv-mJa2UBGimSmk0pb9-xW4ih8TiTVdHIO7gzZRnInYQBeqsGU7RULCLoSCi-s%7EeSpZOotpgpHTPFcx7cyAyxqAvJyuc6Bev0TuDzjVe1A6GEOaUdIwg4reDfLfUEoN2lXzO35jfo5jZ8-4LOeLyfU71qHXRAcagea2kkxhqnIvxZaYvoGNAQeJdNf9V%7E2P3TBUvJFppOjGGqNjLv%7Ec-J4HdolFTnQzkOf64AQ__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
bf6e2e19b8a2cffd9835e61bd46f06f8
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Kerry
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
2 Townland, County, GPS
The well is in the Old Graveyard in Kenmare town, Co Kerry.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well is on the shore below the graveyard and is dedicated to the 7th century St Finian.
4 Cure
The "cure" it has is for healing sore or infected eyes. A person puts some of the water on the affected eye or eyes and leaves it there for a certain amount of time and their eyes will be healed.
1 Name of well and saint
Kenmare Graveyard Well, St Finian
6 Offerings
Shells, rosary beads, rags, and small pebbles. A slate has been left on top of the well structure so that visitors may etch a cross in that rather than on the stones that form the impoundment/shelter.
Latitude GPS Coordinates
51.52568, -9.33908
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Finian's Well
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Ellen Harrington
cure
eyes
Finian
Kenmare
Kerry
pebbles
rags
rosary
shells
shore
slate
St Finian
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Down
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1934 Survey 1
St Bronagh's Well
1934 Survey 1a
Down
1934 Survey 1b
Killbroney
1934 Survey 3
St Bronagh
1934 Survey 2
The well is situated in Kilbroney Old Grave Yard near the ruins of an old church and early Celtic cross. The well's water has the cure for sight and eyes.
1934 Survey 5
Cure for sight and eyes
1934 Survey 8
Sight and eyes
1934 Survey 9
eyes
1934 Survey 10
No
1934 Survey 21
St Bronagh's Bell
1 Name of well and saint
St Bronaugh's Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Killbroney, County Down
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is situated in Killbroney Old Grave Yard near the ruins of an old church and early Celtic cross.
4 Cure
The well's water has the cure for sight and eyes.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St Bronagh's Well
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Liam
cure
Down
eyes
Killbroney
St Bronagh
St Bronagh's Well
-
https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/25126/archive/files/bc8e579ce701dde1dcaa6704c15069d1.jpg?Expires=1712793600&Signature=C9nak5FNHkqFFA-xf1hhTUVphU3y5jPSjSbYCsTIo3negZdM6pL8zm0%7ExvY0jdMqRjQY4dVwrpGecwcwpzzYHq2dUMGiC4lt4T6qobvHjRmzOUFXimGgolFHWfVgFTw-96rmAoyXlQYwnxGcZEYLoKVOoVwZfjzGKLU7HXpQsKWWhc-5--WgFvcfv5i6ClhrGRBiHoJOe%7E-0kOQoeDiCf9EblBm6txLgU2sThi4DJ9rJ0euiAEpGDB3-cGq8VQYRI5bMies0nznQttwdKskyi9ykQrWGWqwlZQQ0JQ8TeXj4mbg97J81hGcwq0aq7AIgpRSjkdkmDVkuCnkrCwvIpA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
10b83d9cd0ca5575a9869ceb148b8fc4
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cork
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Barrahane’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Castlehaven, Cork
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Beside a stream in lush vegetation. Well access via a small bridge and gate. Well is lined and roofed with stones. A vibrant orange buoy marks it. (https://holywellsofcork.com/2016/04/18/st-barrahane-st-bridget/ by Amanda Clark)
4 Cure
eyes, stomach
5 Pattern day
3rd December
6 Offerings
"Offerings dangle from the surrounding bushes – rosaries, hankies, ribbons, tinsel and a pile of rusty coins." (https://holywellsofcork.com/2016/04/18/st-barrahane-st-bridget/ by Amanda Clark)
9 Publications
https://holywellsofcork.com/2016/04/18/st-barrahane-st-bridget/ by Amanda Clark
Photograph by Amanda Clark
Power, Denis et al. Archeological Inventory of Count Cork Volume 1: West Cork. Dublin: The Stationery Office, 1994. PDF. 26 OCT. 2018.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Barrahane
Castlehaven
Coins
Cork
December 3
eyes
rags
ribbons
Rosaries
St Barrahane’s Well
stomach
tinsel
-
https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/25126/archive/files/c67663bf333cb8d29a2253813a7d7201.jpg?Expires=1712793600&Signature=ojy4Spqi754Bc6IkBFJJ%7EdTThkgulgzEryu05hSJmR3HzGmxV9QqJAHSN4XwXRlAaocleohV%7EiiSBzX2fpWbZfyTaEgwtB%7EQ7yepjqkJBfP6oNngpgUrDFvm0Oe8cUWnOwt1XPMfPdKzkau52Fn7j3QEpfhu9utkOxxDCXyMCnHvHH%7EClSPHRNITXvC%7E0pZaT5eXt%7EFxtVwZDneZNyNp4OvBJ4NGFQj7mYIGfytR95weoxBD7TWvpdoNf-oi0WkrrkniHitw-EkARrmTyTLQQmpoRsMzh6s%7EUYuGW8YfnDc6oQa03Ix1TPnJBL5QbWFGtswU4TbFflRLIcndSzNeSg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
594050aba6879ac7ed337e61b560931c
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Doulagh’s Well and St. Catherine's Pond
2 Townland, County, GPS
County Dublin, Townland of Saintdoolaghs
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Located adjacent to St. Doulagh's church near Balgriffin. The well has a 3 feet deep impoundment and is located within the only free-standing baptistery remaining in Ireland (Branigan, 2012:50-52). Branigan notes that the structure once held plaster frescoes on each of the four walls with images of St. Doulagh, St. Patrick, St. Brigid and St. Colmcille. A plaque also hung within with a Latin inscription comparing the holy well to Bethesda's sacred pool.
8 Stories
Girls were baptized in the pond, while boys were baptized in the well (Branigan, 2012:50,51).
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Dublin. Dublin: History Press.
Moss, Rachel. 2003. "St Doolagh's Church." Irish Arts Review, 20(2):122-125.
Swan, D. Leo. 1990. “ ‘St Doulagh’s’ Balgriffin.” In Excavations 1989: Summary Accounts of Archaeological Excavations in Ireland, Edited by Isabel Bennett, 18-19. Dublin: Wordwell.
4 Cure
St. Catherine's Pond (enclosed with a stone impoundment and fed from the stream from St. Doulagh's well) was formerly visited to cure eye disorders.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St Doulagh's Well and St. Catherine's Pond
Balgriffin
baptism
eyes
fresco
Saintdoolaghs
St Brigid
St Colmcille
St Doulagh's Well
St. Catherine's Pond
-
https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/25126/archive/files/e9730614502ed2a7914dbeb3bbe8a552.jpg?Expires=1712793600&Signature=KrFCtkVz78K9uIUQIUh8uhT2KWuL7L%7EzJVFVitmUuzKNJCxZmY9Hj9tn1Uy7QwHwjal7qOZIqeAVkPJgu83ebL%7EsHLyAsKRInAkRfKamiu8D0gi0jOM3jEVwHAHM14KMpfZbZOwZmz6xs1LEQAB3iZK-b3CTP6NqAjxwBGQIj0n3JWLD2DoCV4LV%7EqwIpUGgJRAo-yPbfsNnYV4ZrFxD44rfzvlyCPQxvzLC%7EoqB-1SFJ86blF-ADV56LIXRlygv4O%7EaF51JGJNrz73AyKK-TgxOYiqhLRtB%7EqEJCt0TSKXzM%7Erlfwk-H1Kk8Ur6JBSCM1c7iqIg2FcU-4KDNMVHJw__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
8579ea74f85d71d72c434d14b442e2d4
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Galway
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Augustine’s Well (also called Tobar Agaistín).
2 Townland, County, GPS
Lough Atalia (also called Loch an tSáile) on the eastern edge of County Galway.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
St. Augustine’s well was restored in 2000 by the Galway Civic Trust. It sits on the edge of the lake and is hexagonal in shape with a low wall around the edges. Additionally, the well becomes inundated by tides twice a day.
4 Cure
The well is famous among pilgrims for many cures, particularly regarding ailments of the eyes and ears.
5 Pattern day
The main days for devotion at the well are the last Sunday in July or the first Sunday in August. Máire MacNeill suggests the possibility that the well may have been associated with the Lughnasa festival.
6 Offerings
There are often small offerings of coins found in the bottom of the well (see Louise Nugent blog post).
9 Publications
MacNeill, M. 2007. The festival of Lughnasa: a study of the survival of the Celtic festival of the beginning of harvest. Dublin: Folklore of Ireland Council.
Nugent, Louise. “Miracles and Violence: St Augustine’s well in the 17th century,” Pilgrimage in Medieval Ireland (blog), May 26, 2012.
https://pilgrimagemedievalireland.com/2012/05/26/miracles-and-violence-st-augustines-well-in-the-17th-century/
O'DOWD, PEADAR. "HOLY WELLS OF GALWAY CITY." Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society 60 (2008): 136-53. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20720184.
All photos by Louise Nugent
10 More
“Originally this well was one of a group of three, but the northern and southern wells no longer survive. The Galway Archaeological Inventory states all three wells were dedicated originally to St Augustine but Máire MacNeill refers to the northern and southern wells as being dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and John the Baptist” (Louise Nugent blog post).
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Augustine's well
Coins
ears
eyes
Galway
Lough Atalia
Lughnasa
St Augustine
St Augustine’s Well
Tobar Agaistín
-
https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/25126/archive/files/40c3097d52412627825f0cac0232e4d0.jpg?Expires=1712793600&Signature=G-3dH7QSqYcIpG-PjpnPKLM4gNPr%7ELh-U5%7EYoeoN1JTb7dmRdkwL4Vas%7EV2tk-PkZ3AYc4UC3XX2SwVsABFS2SB5apbhV3GQUixZLRT0sIQ%7EdlTkClK1kOUrs8eF-blEcsBer0lfOkiMk3J4%7ERTxeX4I6swghq4cSpGWkKATroZTNWd1v6jZwuc0KCy05hB327u0Kar6RRrd5SYabg9tgWZpCYd6f-da9-917YSPDVKnl5U92CYKpCcObYUGOs0ZVA6b50HrpgvGveLCtBVtROW00dq4j6QBdrwKPVmvInARY8iGolpZXGg9j9Ao5t8kFPNXenHAweorV1AYsxSPnw__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
276ccb2e9c23acf3c0a3ffe86b88fde2
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Galway
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Anne’s holy well
2 Townland, County, GPS
St Anne’s holy well is in the townland of Booleynanollagh (also referred to as Aughanass, sometimes spelled Ahanass) in the county Galway.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Located near a stream, St Anne’s holy well is sunken into the ground, with stone steps leading to the entrance to provide access. Positioned at the head of the well is a wooden shrine to St Anne which also contains a painted statue of St Anne. Near the well there is also a children’s burial ground marked by a large, white cross.
4 Cure
The well is known for curing illnesses, primarily sore eyes.
6 Offerings
The most common votive offering left at St Anne’s holy well are rages tied to nearby bushes.
9 Publications
“St Anne’s Holy Well.” Woodford Galway. http://www.woodfordgalway.com/index.php/holy-well-menu-item-2
Cunniffe, Christy. “St Anne’s Well.” Galway Community Archaeology. Last modified June 26, 2016. https://field-monuments.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/archaeology/holy-wells/st-annes-well
Photo by Christy Cunniffe
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St Anne’s Holy Well
Ahanass
Aughanass
Booleynanollagh
eyes
Galway
rags
sore eyes
St Anne
St Anne’s Holy Well
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cork
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St. Ruadhán’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Courtaparteen, Cork County
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is tucked into a field boundary and has a semi-circular basin full of fresh, clean water. The concave stone wall contains a slabbed shelf that is full of offerings.
4 Cure
The water is meant to be good for sore eyes and warts.
5 Pattern day
The Feast day of St Ruadhán (his name can be spelt in many different ways) is the 15th April.
6 Offerings
There are white pebbles, a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a white rag hanging above the well, and a crucifix rests on stones just below the shelf.
9 Publications
Clarke, Amanda. "Gazetteer." Holy Wells of Cork. Accessed November 4th, 2018. https://holywellsofcork.com/gazeteer/
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St Ruadhán's Well, Courtaparteen
April 15
Cork
Courtaparteen
eyes
St Ruadhán's Well
Warts
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Meath
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Patrick's Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Carlanstown, Meath
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well is said to be along the path of St Patrick's travels from Meath to Cavan and is situated within the Green at Carlanstown nearby the National School. The well is covered by a dome of granite blocks. There appears to be a cross represented in the stone formation and red colored flagstone inside the well (French, 2012:1-2).
4 Cure
The well has long been visited on St. Patrick's Day. As reported by French, people collect water for washing one's eyes to to cure any ailment, but not before "[saying] six 'Hail Marys." Additionally, is is believed that cooking with the water will ensure good health (French, 2012:3).
8 Stories
According to local folklore some features of the well reflect St Patrick's engagement with the landscape in his first journey. The red color in the flagstone within the well came by legend from his injured and bleeding toe. Two small holes are said to be the impressions of his toe and finger (water from them is thought to be healing) (French, 2012:2).
9 Publications
(Admonán, March 13, 2014) http://irelandsholywells.blogspot.com/2014/03/saint-patricks-well-carlanstown-county.html; French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 1-17; Thunder, John M. 1886. The Holy Wells of Meath. The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, Fourth Series, 7:68, pp. 655.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Patrick's well
Carlanstown
eye cure
eyes
Meath
St Patrick
St Patrick's Well
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Meath
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Ultan's Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Ardbraccan, Meath
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well is proximal to the land of Ardbraccan House, the house that was at once O'Conor's (Thunder, 1886:656). A visitor will find the well over nine feet in diameter with six steps down into its stone basin (French, 2012:60).
4 Cure
The well may hold cures for tooth aches and eye pain, which may be achieved by either drinking or washing the problem area, respectively. A pilgrim may also wash their fit in the well to cure sore feet (French, 2012:61).
5 Pattern day
Historical records indicate a range of patterns between the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Until 1850 pilgrims held stations on the eve of St Ultan's Day, September 4th. This tradition faded until the 1920s into the 1950s when there was a resurgence of pilgrims visiting the well. French (2012) writes, "In the 1930s there was a pilgrimage of St. Ultan's Well every year on the first Sunday in September and the Rosary was recited in Irish... today the well is dry" (French, 2012:61). Current gatherings at the well on the saint's feast day in the second decade of the 21st century range in attendance from 20 to 40 people. The well has dried in part due to zinc mining in the vicinity.
8 Stories
St Ultan is known to have been a devout humanitarian, offering food, clothes, and education to over 500 children orphaned by the yellow plague. Given this history, St Ultan's inspired the 1919 founding of Dublin City's St Ultan's Hospital for Infants (French, 2012:60-1; hospital closed in 1975).
9 Publications
Thunder, John M. 1886. The Holy Wells of Meath. The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, Fourth Series, 7:68, pp. 656; French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 60-2.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Ultan's well
Ardbraccan
eye cure
eyes
Meath
September 4
St Ultan
St Ultan's Well
toothache
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Tipperary
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
Toberonan, dedicated to St. Odhran
2 Townland, County, GPS
Glenmore Upper, Tipperary
OS 28 9 2
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
“Situated in a marshy hollow in an upland area with a nearby church to the Northwest. A circular well is enclosed by a drystone wall surviving three courses high with a small stream flowing out from the North face of the well” (Farrelly & O’Brien 275).
4 Cure
The well possesses “curative properties for sore eyes and headaches. Cures were obtained by placing a stone on top of your head” (Farrelly & O’Brien 275).
5 Pattern day
A pilgrimage is made to the well on August 15th (Farrelly & O’Brien 275).
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Prayer stations are performed on October 27th (Farrelly & O’Brien 275).
9 Publications
Farrelly, Jean and Caimin O’Brien. Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary -North Tipperary. Vol 1. PP 273- 278.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Toberonan
August 15
eyes
Glenmore Upper
headaches
October 27
sore eyes
St Odhran
Tipperary
Toberonan
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St. Bridghid's Well, St. Bridghid
2 Townland, County, GPS
County Dublin, Brideswell Commons; 53°18’55,82”N, 6°23’43.50”W
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well sits in a large enclosure that has been very well maintained through the years. The well is located on Lilliput Lane off of Boot Road in Clondalkin. The enclosure where the well is located contains a statue of Saint Bridghid and a “rag tree”. The stone structure around the well dates back to 1761 and the raining that is currently around the well was donated by workers from a paper mill in the 1940’s.
4 Cure
Cures eye disorders, particularly around February 1st, three visits to the well are needed for the cure to be successful and it is particularly effective for young girls.
8 Stories
During road work that took place in the 1990’s the water source connected to the well was severed and it dried up for the first time, the well was then connected to main water lines.
9 Publications
Branigan, G. (2012). Ancient & holy wells of Dublin.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St Bridghid's Well, Brideswell Commons
Brideswell Commons
Dublin
eyes
February 1
rag tree
St Bridget
St Bridghid
St Bridgid
-
https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/25126/archive/files/90c2efbd17980210d407b47a921f782e.jpg?Expires=1712793600&Signature=FpFIbMcOPlnay2mbn%7EmjUg4Q7H59Eg0cUFTsPH2vmIKRYcjKMBmL8S-uLFu5I4EpaQxG3e0u01J8tYyAr%7EUP6m0wfMaP2sjD7TO-AFu1zGa9WzEQhrSQZTLUmYSPezDgOYB7TNNFs7IZhY3na5QpI2LErTzrv7jJLZGTEJ0eHVcPDKMmGmowKYxJ0sHBd5C%7EwLR1XRJvvSySiYweCwfiv-oQb31vKkuysXrHND48w7pUDlwRGCDnR5vjXpQjo1wt7nV-%7EhDJqY5UvLTMtaFskn6D44k8SPByJSHpQugPMHi-JChoN3NdC24t12F-sZJejNFMAJNnUNrmK2FtE9b1vw__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
c10806bfbbc34f14b6f784d319eacaec
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Galway
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Brigid's Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
St Brigid’s well is located in Bohercom, Co. Galway.
GPS: 53.1999, -8.5605
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
St Brigid’s well is fenced in by a stone wall about four feet high. The stone fence can be entered through a metal gate. At the head of the well is a small painted statue of St Brigid.
4 Cure
The well is known for at least one eye cure.
6 Offerings
Ribbons are often tied to a nearby bush.
9 Publications
Galway Community Heritage Office, St Brigid’s Well, March 13, 2018. https://heritage.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/places/loughrea-heritage-trail/5-st-brigids-well
**Photo by Galway Community Heritage Office
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St Brigid's Well
Bohercom
eyes
Galway
St Brigid
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Clare
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
Saint Joseph’s Blessed Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Dulick, Co. Clare
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is surrounded by a cover of old trees, which creates a natural grove. There are 4 grottos with religious figurines at the entrance to the well. One of the figurines is of St. Joseph. The main well is without water due to roadwork interfering with water flow. The site has been neglected since the local hospital closed and foot traffic decreased.
4 Cure
The well is said to offer cures for eyes and headaches.
5 Pattern day
On August 15, the well has a local cleanup followed by an annual Mass.
9 Publications
Houlihan, Michael. 2015. The Holy Wells of County Clare.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Joseph's well
August 15
Co. Clare
Dulick
eyes
grotto
head aches
St. Joseph
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
This Holy Well is known colloquially as Biddy Boughy’s Well according to Gary Branigan. (Branigan 2012:17). The well is dedicated to St. Brighid.
2 Townland, County, GPS
It is located in the Balrothery townland of County Dublin.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Branigan states that it “is located in a small field beside a bungalow named Fairfiellds on the Old Coach Road...an old mud pathway from the roadway led to it but it is now overgrown and fenced off so access was limited.” (Branigan 2012:17). Additionally “the spring is enclosed within a circle of mortared stones at the base of a wall.” (Branigan 2012:17).
4 Cure
This well is said to cure disorders of the eyes.
8 Stories
According to Branigan, “legend has it that a woman named Biddy Boughy washed clothes in the a holy well in Chapel lane… and that well dried up as a result of the offence, moving to this location.” (Branigan 2012:17).
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. Ancient and Holy Wells of Dublin. 2012> Dublin: History Press.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Biddy Boughy’s Well
Balrothery
Dublin
eyes
St Bridgid
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Werburgh’s Well (Tobar Werburgh).
2 Townland, County, GPS
The well is located in the Crowscastle townland in County Dublin.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Branigan states that the well “is located within a copse of trees at the edge of a stream beside Lakeshore Drive in Airside Business Park, Swords.” (Branigan 2012:25). The site is decorated and seems well-attended. A Buddha statue placed at the site evidences visitation by those with multiple spiritual perspectives.
4 Cure
The well is said to cure “disorders of the eyes.” (Branigan 2012:25).
6 Offerings
There are many offerings from a variety of faiths surrounding the well.
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. Ancient and Holy Wells of Dublin. 2012> Dublin: History Press.
10 More
A link to a youtube video showing the well: https://youtu.be/Gdqude7t14M
5 Pattern day
Daughter of a Mercian king, this Anglo-Saxon saint died in 699 on the 3rd of February which remains her feast day. She was Abbess of Ely and her veneration came to Ireland with the Anglo-Normans. Her church in Dublin was built in 1178.
8 Stories
The well was destroyed in the 21st century, but has been restored by locals who continue to watch over it.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Werburgh
Anglo-Normans
Dublin
eyes
St. Werburgh
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St MacCullin’s Well (Tobar Mhic Chuilinn) It is also known as “St Michael’s Well and St Patrick’s Well.” (Branigan 2012:29).
2 Townland, County, GPS
This well is located in the Grallagh townland of County Dublin.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Branigan states that “St MacCuillin’s Well is located within the Grallagh Graveyard. It is situated within a tall pitched stone structure and entered via a Gothic archway, with four steps leading down to the water; a shamrock is carved into the top step.” (Branigan 2012:29).
4 Cure
It is said to cure disorders of the eyes, rheumatism, and whooping cough. A holy stone outside the graveyard gate bears what were thought to be the imprints of the saint's fingers. Pressing one's back against the holy stone is thought to cure backaches.
5 Pattern day
Patterns held on the “first Sunday in August.” (Branigan 2012:29). MacNeill noted that "a patron" was still being held on the first Sunday of August in 1934 (2008 [19662]: 640).
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Dublin.
Dublin: History Press.
MacNeill, Máire. 2008 [1962] The Festival of Lughnasa.
Dublin: Comhair le Bhéaloideas Éireann. [Pg. 640]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St MacCullin's Well
1 August
Dublin
eyes
imprint rock
rheumatism
St MacCullin
whooping cough
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
Holy Spout, also known as Eye Spout. (Gob Bheannaithe)
2 Townland, County, GPS
Located in the Howth townland in County Dublin.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Branigan notes the location as “on the north side of Harbor Road, beside a bus stop and built into the retaining wall of St. Mary’s Abbey” (Branigan 2012:35). Additionally, “up until recent times the water flowed from two short lengths of pipe which protruded from the wall, but these pipes have been removed and the outlets cemented over resulting in the entire wall becoming damp, mossy, and constantly dripping” (Branigan 2012:35). The wall appears to be on a street, making it easy to access.
4 Cure
This well is said to cure disorders of the eyes.
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland. Dublin: The History Press Ireland.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Holy Spout of Howth
Dublin
eye cure
Eye Spout
eyes
Gob Bheannaithe
Holy Spout
Howth
Wall
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St. MacCullin’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Located in the Lusk townland of County Dublin.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
According to Branigan, “MacCullin’s Well is located in the back garden of the Barrack House on Barrack land in the village of Lusk” (Branigan 2012:40). The well “has been rebuilt in the form of a wishing well” (Branigan 2012:40).
4 Cure
The well is said to cure disorders of the eyes.
8 Stories
“Local legend holds that the saint jumped from the top of the nearby Round Tower to the well, and left the impressions of his knees on a stone in the well. This stone, likely a bullaun, is no longer present, and was last seen in the 1940’s” (Branigan 2012:40).
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland. Dublin: The History Press Ireland.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. MacCullin’s Well
Dublin
eyes
MacCullin
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Cronan’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Located in Mooretown, a townland of County Dublin.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Branigan notes that “St Cronan’s Well is located at the edge of a field currently under tillage to the south-west of the ruined Glasmore Abbey in the Cianlea housing estate, north-west of Swords” (Branigan 2012:42). He also writes that “the Holy Well is accessed via a small muddy pathway from the green area at Lioscian, and by following the stream to its source. It is a large rectangular earthen enclosure covered in grass and bull rushes, and best viewed in the evening sun” (Branigan 2012:42).
4 Cure
The well cures disorders of the eyes and chicken pox.
8 Stories
"The well traditionally supplied the local Glasmore Abbey with its water, and is dedicated to St. Cronan who was the abbot there. He was killed in a Danish Raid when the abbey was destroyed in the seventh century” (Branigan 2012:42).
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland. Dublin: The History Press Ireland.
10 More
53.4638917,-6.244425
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St Cronan’s Well
chicken pox
Cronan
Dublin
eyes
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Brighid’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Located in the Rosepark (Balrothery) townland of County Dublin.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well “is situated on a very poor draining, waterlogged green area within the Rosepark housing estate in the village of Balrothery” (Branigan 2012:47). The original well was destroyed in 2003, but rebuilt partially later. “All that remains now is a closed circular steel grill which looks down into a large concrete shaft full of stagnant, stinking, and litter-strewn water; this is also poorly drained and a constant trickle of water is to be seen running down the road in the adjacent to Clock Choirnéal estate” (Branigan 2012:48).
4 Cure
The well is said to cure disorders of the eyes.
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland. Dublin: The History Press Ireland.
10 More
“The original well was a small dry-stone built well with a large rag tree of ash hanging over it.”
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Brigid's Well
ash
Dublin
eyes
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Meath
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Patrick's Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Carlanstown, Meath. “Carolinstown, in the barony of Lower Keels,” (Thunder 1886: 655)
9 Publications
Thunder, John M. “The Holy Wells of Meath.” The Journal of the Royal Historical and
Archaeological Association of Ireland. Oct 1886-Jan 1887, pp 655-658.
French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Trim Heritage Centre.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Completely overgrown in 2019.
Located now behind a housing estate, in a small area fenced off from a field with cattle opposite the National School.
Noel French described the superstructure as chiselled blocks of granite that form a dome and a cross over the well (2012:1).
4 Cure
eyes (one must have the intention of being cured)--wash the eys with the water and say six Hail Marys (French, 2012:3).
5 Pattern day
March 17, the well is only sporadically visited now.
8 Stories
While domestic use of holy well water is generally prohibited and has dire results, water from this well used for cooking and tea is thought to prevent disease.
The red color of the main flagstone is said to have derived its color from a cut St. Patrick suffered to his foot in teh vicinity. There are tiny holes on another associated stone which were said to be St. Patrick's thumb print and big toe print (French, 2012:2).
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Patrick's Well
eyes
imprint stone
Meath
St. Patrick
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Meath
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Ultan’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Ardbraccan, Meath
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
In 1886, Thunder notes that “his well is situated within the Bishop’s Demesne at Ardbraccan” (Thunder 1886: 656). Additionally, “a drain was sunk in the boggy field in which is sprang, and thus diverted the sacred waters from the spot… which had been a place of devotion for many hundreds of years” (Thunder 1886: 656).
In 2012, French writes that “St Ultan’s Well stands just outside the churchyard wall, within the demesne of Ardbraccan House. One of the sacred trees of Ireland, the Bile Torthain,, was said to have stood over the well in pagan times” (French 2012: 60). Additionally, French notes that “the well is quite large, more than nine feet in diameter…today the well is dry” (French 2012: 61). Explosives used in zinc mining nearby have disrupted local acquifers.
9 Publications
Thunder, John M. “The Holy Wells of Meath.” The Journal of the Royal Historical and
Archaeological Association of Ireland. Oct 1886-Jan 1887, pp 655-658.
French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.
10 More
“St Ultan was the inspiration for St Ultan’s Hospital for Infants in Dublin. St Ultan’s Hospital was founded 1919 by Dr. Kathleen Lynn and Madeleine ffrench Mullen. Every year the hospital organized a pilgrimage to St Ultan’s Well. At the outset only women staffed the hospital. Dr. Lynn pioneered the use of the BCG vaccination over ten years before it came into general use in Ireland. In 1929 Dr. Lynn and St Ultan’s founded the world Irish Sweepstakes along with three other voluntary hospitals. St Ultan’a Hospital closed in 1975 due to the difficulties in obtaining dunding and it is now a private clinic. Margaret Ó hÓgartaigh wrote an article on St Ultan Hospital and its connections to Ardbraccan in the 2003 issue of Ríocht na Midhe.
4 Cure
Toothache and “eye complaints” (French 2012: 61). "To be cured of a toothache a pilgrim took a drink of the water. For a sore eye a cloth was dipped in the water and then rubbed to the eye. To cure sore feet they were washed in the water of the well” (French 2012: 61).
5 Pattern day
“Stations were held on the eve of St Ultan’s Day, 4 September, until 1850. In the 1920’s there was a revival of the pilgrimages to the well and in the 1950’s there was a regular ceremony at the well. The pattern day was the first of September each year. In the 1930’s there was a pilgrimage to St Ultan’s Well every year on the first Sunday in September and the Rosary was recited in Irish at the well” (French 2012: 61).
Well-attended annual gatherings still take place in the second decade of the twenty-first century.
8 Stories
“St Ultan succeeded St Breccan as abbot of Ardbraccan. He collected material for a biography of St Brigid, said to be his aunt. St Ultan fed, clothed, and educated 500 children orphaned by a yellow plague which carried off their parents. The Annals of Clonmacnoise placed St Ultan’s death in the year 653. The Annals of Clonmacnoise placed St Ultan’s death in the year 653. In 1210 King John visited Tiobraid Ultain on his progression through Ireland” (French 2012: 60).
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St Ultan's Well
eyes
Meath
sore feet
St. Ultan
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Meath
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Colmcille’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Collon, Meath
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is located “in the parish of Collon, about two miles south of Collon and a quarter of a mile from the Slane-Collon Road. In Glasallen townland St Colmcille’s Well was situated in a beautiful valley and is marked as a spring on the OS maps” (French 2012: 18). Additionally, “the well was a deep spring well about five feet in diameter. The well was surrounded by white-thorn trees and stood a little way away from a field boundary…The well was covered by a large flagstone and flags formed steps down to the well” (French 2012: 19).
4 Cure
Cures sore feet and eyes, back ache, eye disorders. To cure sore feet or eyes, “people washed in the stream running from the well” (French 2012: 20). Also, “a bottle of water from the well protected a house particularly during thunderstorms” (French 2012: 20).
5 Pattern day
Rounds were made at the well on the 9 June. The well was also visited on the eight days after the saint’s day, making it a nine day pattern" (French 2012: 19).
6 Offerings
“Strings and pieces of cloth were attached to the trees by visiting pilgrims. A mug was supplied at the well for drinking after completing the rounds” (French 2012: 19).
7 Prayer rounds and stations
"Usually the Rosary was said as the people went around the well and knelt for each decade. There were five bushes around the well and each of these was a station and a decade of the Rosary was recited at each station. After the first round pilgrims took three drinks of water from the well” (French 2012: 19-20).
8 Stories
“It is said that St Colmcille was travelling from Kells to Monasterboice when he became thirsty. He drank from the spring, rested and then blessed the well” (French 2012: 18-19).
“it was the usual custom of among old people in the parish to go to the well barefoot and not eat anything until they returned” (French 2012: 20).
“Isaac Butler visited the well in 1774 and said that thousands of country people assembled there. He wrote that after a solemn service performed by several priests in the attendance ate, drank, and made merry. Football was played and sometimes great quarrels arose with several people going home with broken and sore limbs” (French 2012: 20).
“In 1916 Fr. James Dolan C.C. Collon revived the custom of the rounds” (French 2012: 20).
“A school child in the 1930s said there was ‘no authentic’ cure mentioned in connection to the well. Another schoolchild recorded that abuses had crept in and mostly young people went there for amusement. The last pattern was held in the late 1950s or early 1960s. the land was sold and reclaimed. The well was filled and the bushes surrounding it were removed in 1965 but memories of the well and pattern survived. Celebration of the pattern has been revived by the Broomfield & District Resident Association in recent years” (French 2012: 20).
9 Publications
French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Colmcille's Well
9 June
backache
Colmcille
eyes
Meath
sore feet
thunderstorms
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Meath
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Brigid’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Enfield, Meath.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is located “at Johnstown House, Enfield. There was a Brigidine convent nearby in the early medieval times. The well is located in a small copse about 200 yards south of the house and not far from the Blackwater River. In the 1930s a description said it was a fine deep well containing the purest of spring water. It is partially covered over by a large flat stone. The flagstone was shattered in the 1950s when a tree fell on it. In 1969 a pump house was erected over the well and the water was used for domestic purposes” (French 2012: 29).
4 Cure
Cures sore feet and eyes.
5 Pattern day
There is a pattern to the well on St Brigid’s Day.
8 Stories
“The well provided water for the construction of the new hotel” (French 2012: 29).
“A school child in the 1930s recalled that an old resident said that she was often sent by her mother to the well for the soft white said to scour stools, chairs and other wooden furniture” (French 2012: 29).
“There is supposed to be a curse attached to the Johnstown House, namely that the owner never lives to see his eldest son come of age” (French 2012: 29-30).
9 Publications
French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Brigid's Well
eyes
Meath
sore feet
St. Brigid
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cork
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
Tobernasool
2 Townland, County, GPS
Burren, Cork
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Power notes that the well ""no longer survives. Another holy well (2667) of same name, 180m to E, still survives” (Power, 1993: 281).
9 Publications
Power, Denis, et al. 1993. “Archaeological Inventory of County Cork.” Volume 1: West Cork. Stationary Office, Dublin.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Tobernasool
Cork
eyes
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
Lady’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Stephenstown, Dublin
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well “is located on lands belonging to Hillcrest House…opposite of the road to this house in the far north-west corner of a field…the well is a clear spring, roughly enclosed by unworked stones, at the base of a very large tree, which previously served as a rag tree. Nearby are the very ruinous remains of an old tower house and the site of a chapel” (Branigan 2012: 54).
4 Cure
Cures disorders of the eyes, toothache, and headache.
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland. Dublin: The History Press Ireland.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lady's Well
Dublin
eyes
headache
Lady
toothache
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
Tobersool
2 Townland, County, GPS
Tobersool, Dublin
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well “is located on lands belonging to Tobersool House in Tobersool Lane. Access is gained via a rusted stile, currently overgrown, in the corner of a field under tillage. Its exact location is within a small conspicuous clump of fir, hawthorn, and holly. The well itself is a small rectangular dry-stone structure in a slight hollow within this dump of trees. The top of the stones have been mortared in recent times to allow the placing of a corrugated iron sheet to preserve the quality of the water. The water is clean and flowing” (Branigan 2012: 57).
4 Cure
Cures eye disorders.
5 Pattern day
1 February.
8 Stories
“Local legend holds that Oliver Cromwell washed his feet in this well, and as a result of this offence it dried up, but was restored by the prayers of a Catholic priest” (Branigan 2012: 57).
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland. Dublin: The History Press Ireland.
10 More
Branigan notes that the well “is widely known as Tobersool, being the phonetic Anglicisation of the Irish Tobar Shúil which translates as ‘Well of the Eye’; this evidences the tradition that it holds the cure for disorders of the eyes. It is also known locally as the Eye Well or St Brigid’s Well, though less commonly” (Branigan 2012: 57).
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Tobersool
Cromwell
Dublin
eyes
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Mary’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Tobertown, Dublin
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Branigan notes that “St Mary’s Well is located within the grounds of the late medieval graveyard of Balscadden … and of Tobertown, adjacent to Balscadden National School. The overall structure is teardrop shaped, and is constructed of stone and mortar with four [steps] leading down from ground level to the water, which is perfectly stagnant. There is also [a] crack up both sides of the structure. Up until recently the well frequently flooded the [area] until remedial works were carried out to pipe surplus water away…In previous years a hawthorn overhung the well and was used as a rag tree, but this is no longer present” (Branigan 2012: 58).
4 Cure
Cures eye disorders. Wash with water.
5 Pattern day
15 August.
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland. Dublin: The History Press Ireland.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Mary's Well
Dublin
eyes
Lady
Mary
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Patrick’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Cardiffscastle. Dublin
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Branigan notes that the well “is located down a small lane on Mellowe’s Crescent just outside Finglas [Lane]. It is in poor condition and has a large cage erected over it with a gate [to prevent the] vandalism and anti-social behavior that occurred here. This is evident from its present condition” (Branigan 2012: 66-67).
4 Cure
Cures “inveterate ulcers” (Branigan 2012: 67) and disorders of the eyes.
5 Pattern day
According to Branigan, “a pattern was held on St Patrick’s Day in previous times” (Branigan 2012: 67).
8 Stories
“In the 1760s, a Philip Joyce from Kilkenny, posing as Dr Achmet Borumborad from Turkey, was successful in obtaining a Government Grant to develop the well into a spa, but his true identity was discovered soon afterwards and his plans did not go ahead.
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland. Dublin: The History Press Ireland.
10 More
“The key can be obtained by application via the local Dublin City Council offices to the Parks Department, and visits to the well will be accompanied by a staff member” (Branigan 2012: 67).
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Patrick's Well
Dublin
eyes
Patrick
ulcers
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Brigid’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Castleknock, Dublin
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Branigan notes that it is believed “that the original site was closer to the church but it was diverted to this location in the eighteenth century. A broken pump stands on the site of the well, behind which is a […] alcove with two marble plaques bearing the following inscriptions:
[…] said whoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give them shall never thirst again. John 4, 14.
[…] shall lead them unto living fountains of water and God shall wipe away all the tears of their eyes. Apocalypse 7, 17”
(Branigan 2012: 70).
4 Cure
Well cures disorders of the eyes.
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Dublin. Dublin: The History Press Ireland.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Brigid
Brigid
Dublin
eyes
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Catherine’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Drishoge, Dublin
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
“The spring of St Catherine’s Well rose beneath the kitchen floor of a house in Millbourne Avenue, Drumcondra, and from there it was culverted to a rustic pointed well chamber built onto the side of the house itself. When the house was demolished, the municipal authorities took great care to protect the well and preserve it within a section of ornamental shrubbery, but both have now disappeared and its present location is along the main walkway in Griffith Park…[no] surface remains of the well exist, but a brass plaque attached to the railings of the park [are the] approximate location as being the site of the well” (Branigan 2012: 71-72).
4 Cure
Cures eye disorders, whooping cough, toothache. Branigan notes that to obtain a cure, “water was drunk from a skull, strongly pointing to pre-Christian practice” (Branigan 2012: 71).
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland. Dublin: The History Press Ireland.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Catherine's Well
Catherine
Dublin
eyes
toothache
whooping cough
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dublin
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Brigid’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Brideswell Commons, Dublin
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Branigan records that the well “is located on Lilliput Lane, just off Boot Road in Clondalkin. It is situated in a large enclosure that is maintained in a very good order and includes a statue of the saint and highly festooned rag tree of ash…The stone structure around it dates from 1761, and the railings were donated by workers from the Clondalkin Paper Mills in 1940” (Branigan 2012: 84).
4 Cure
Cures disorders of the eyes.
5 Pattern day
1 February. Branigan notes that “three visits are required for it to be successful. The cure is particularly effective for young girls” (Branigan 2012: 84).
8 Stories
“It is believed that St Brighid baptised local Pagans at this well in the fifth century” (Branigan 2012: 84).
“It is traditionally believed that there is a cillín at this site, either in the raised grassy area behind the well chamber or on the green space to the immediate north-west” (Branigan 2012: 85).
9 Publications
Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland. Dublin: The History Press Ireland.
10 More
“Unfortunately, during road-widening operations in the 1990s, the source of the well was severed and it dried up for the first time. It was then connected to the mains water supply and it is this that flows at the site” (Branigan 2012: 85).
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Brigid's Well
1 Feb
Brigid
cillín
destroyed
Dublin
eyes
-
https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/25126/archive/files/86d2d17e7c6dde6c9c9462b3aa880413.JPG?Expires=1712793600&Signature=AVn44rGy7BO0p9hi4IkzfJClbpIVMI2NZxK6Qkb0E9ew5pHQsfIOqrOP5vP%7EPoK%7EdWs8QQBCxUAHC%7ENEqjbazdTyn%7EhgvLbS-0ro2jTnKnAScAd98HtJm5uSDozrCeQSpmkH3daD%7EbbIgrvylzdwmF6AUMUHGadm4yP%7EmMMpmVxiBsSavyceFpO2Z5rGZ%7EXXPdIQdW5GzllaEcynj9QYayWhCXO93ut%7EUMPtQqe09K9dCItg68OxRK0nxyLKQRQ8Suw%7ELSbip0MMJMkaPxKhA-c8tkNTqJqxSGyaQ5-C%7EwdLr8XBRwMViyNJLqJIMCSaQt-zJyPNfvZYrmseOwHlMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
19a5d1c5148d43d1cc9263721bb895e4
https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/25126/archive/files/c9900be38805bca3317e03ba23759ecc.JPG?Expires=1712793600&Signature=PkwNSU42mSKZ%7EClqLAqhAoNT0Wu0P-Cbvmh4fL%7EE-Xfi5shrmlVpq3Z1hIpxcnHX9wVL33w6YZwmCGQNkMiTd%7EdDkTOLIKAksQzufyqv5c16rOfWYVXLBg3RlpZmvJztfm-qKb3LmAYymZjnWiZ3ZJrtWoHR4b%7ExH-YtQsB8BDN3B%7E5KL4is4hKwt43FqNVohw4SOKbl3TrHLlMImY-rhaYw8ePlbOXjnuUVGIZrR4EE8tcZ%7Eexk1bw-tKlaV2FbEG6pWir%7E-F1VfsKCal6zE4ODsZPoaYwKIVq-bdfQ5yPT%7EIOjcPV9cMOPRzik7yq3qbtCECpMxTlHy1YSH49Eeg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
19a5d1c5148d43d1cc9263721bb895e4
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Clare
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
Saint Joseph's Blessed Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Dulick, Co. Clare
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.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Joseph's Well
15 August
19 March
eyes
headache
restoration
St. Joseph
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Down
Subject
The topic of the resource
County
Description of Well
This includes well name, saint associated with well, location of well, townland, county, etc
1 Name of well and saint
St Brigid’s Well, Eye Well. Positioned somewhere where Southwell Road is in Bangor, Co Down. Stream ran past Bangor Abbey and along where Southwell Road before going into the sea.
Holy Well in Donaghadee was situated behind the Catholic Church in High Street. It was known locally as Kaddy’s or Keedy’s Well The church was built in the 1845 but bombed on 26 August 1972. It lay a ruin until sold and demolished in 2007. Youth for Christ Charity shop now there and well was covered up. Bangor and Donaghadee are in Co Down.
Just outside Donaghadee on Milisle Road there is an old cemetery, at Templepatrick. There used to be a well there
8 Stories
The legend about the Bangor one is that St Columba also known as Colmcille paid a visit to Bangor Abbey. He left a monk minding his boat after he landed at Bangor Bay. St Comgall, abbot and founder of Bangor Abbey came down to the shore following the stream. He invited the monk up to the abbey. On the way he noticed the monk was blind in one eye. He bathed the eye in water from the Holy Well and the monk’s eye was healed. An old Thorn Tree was beside the well.
9 Publications
Historical History of Down and Connor Vol 2 by Monsignor James O’Laverty.
10 More
Is the derivation of Donaghadee Domhnach Caoide Caidin’s Church? Would fit in with Kaddy’s Well . A local Donaghadee man has wondered about that.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
St. Brigid's Well
Brigid
Down
eyes