3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Today the well is capped and inaccessible. In the 18th century, the well was walled and covered by an arch of stone. Water gushed out from a slaty rock and through a round hole cut into it 2ft in diameter and 1.5ft deep. An avenue of sycamore trees led up to the well.
(Clarke 2021: https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2021/01/30/cork-city-wells-revisited/)
4 Cure
The well was said to cure sore eyes, pains in the limbs, and "etc."
(Clarke 2021: https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2021/01/30/cork-city-wells-revisited/)
5 Pattern day
St Bartholomew’s Feast Day is the 24th August
(Clarke 2021: https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2021/01/30/cork-city-wells-revisited/)
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well is very close to the reservoir at Barnattin, and permission to visit must be obtained from Mr. Eamon Briscoe, as of 1998. The spring source is very strong, despite multiple drainage pipes that draw water from the lush site. Ash trees and hawthorn trees, both old and young, guard the site. In the summer, it is described as quite beautiful, where one can see "the light dance and move in the breeze" (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
4 Cure
Though it is supposed to have cured many ailments, but sore eyes were mentioned specifically (Connolly and Moroney, 1998) (The School Collection). A piece of the "guardian" tree of this well (more information in the story) was supposed to be a cure for toothaches (The Schools Collection).
6 Offerings
People used to leave offerings at the well, but it is unclear what they were (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
8 Stories
This well has reportedly moved positions overnight. The story goes that "a local butcher, Patty Sloan, who, despite repeated warnings, polluted the wells by washing the entrails of animals in the water. One night, the well, accompanied by a huge ash tree with hundreds of lighted candles on it, was seen to move through the air, from Balgatheran Townland in Mellifont Parish across the little stream to Killineer Townland, where it settled. The late miss Kathleen Pentony, born 1900, recalled neighbors whose daughter had witness this event. The butcher, stricken by an infirmity, was unable to continue with his work" (Connolly and Moroney, 1998)
Despite a severe drought in 1995, the well continued to flow, quenching the thirst of nearby cattle (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
9 Publications
"Stone and Tree Sheltering Water: An Exploration of Sacred and Secular Wells in County Louth" by Susan Connolly and Anne-Marie Moroney (1998)
The Schools Collection, Volume 0679, pagg 065.
10 More
A mug used to be kept there to allow visitors to drink from the spring is no longer there. (Connolly and Moroney, 1998)
Tubrid Well, Millstreet. St. Ite (though some claim St. Gobnait from Ballyvourney, or St. Laterian)
2 Townland, County, GPS
Claraghatlea, Co. Cork
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well is actively visited during the day and night in teh twenty-first century.
A spring-fed pond about 40 feet diameter which flows into the Fion Abha River"
Mass is said here adn the altar is regularly maintained by local volunteers. The land owner turns lights on every evening for those who pray during the night with special concerns.
4 Cure
Sore eyes; blindness.
Amanda Clarke delivers a story about a blind man from Tipperary who dreamed of this well three nights in a row, and after three visits to the well he can see again.
"A cripple leaves her crutch there for all to see and walks away. A girl has her hair restored by washing in the well, an eight-year old child begins to talk, a woman has her finger straightened, and American gets relief from arthritis, a priest has a speech-impediment cured. An invalid thirty years in bed gets up and walks again after she has donated the stones for the building of the Grotto"
--1 May---This site is traditionally visited at Bealtine,
6 Offerings
rosary beads, regularl cleanings keep the site free of votive accumulations
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Amanda Clarke has these as "The traditional round dates consists of three visits to the well any Thursday, Friday or Saturday of May. Say a Rosary each day beginning at the Grotto and continue circling the well. Break the Rosary three times at the Grotto to ask Our Lady for request. Finish with six paters, Aves and Glorias. The ceremony ends in the drinking of water from the well. Receive Holy Communion following Sunday. If visiting only one day – say the fifteen decades on that visit, the six paters etc. and receive Holy Communion on Sunday. The rounds are always conducted sunwise ie clockwise and an annual Mass is still held here – this year it will be conducted on the 27th May" (Clarke, 2016, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2016/05/02/two-wells-for-bealtine/)
8 Stories
The well "may be ancient but it nearly fell into disuse. A law passed during the reign of Queen Anne (1701-14) prescribed a pubic whipping for those who dared visit holy wells and Tubrid was subsequently almost abandoned. However, the story goes that it was rediscovered during the 1930s when a blind man dreamt that he would be cured if he visited the well. He had the same dream for three nights and was eventually brought to the well and after three visits his sight was restored"
"One summer’s day in May a mad cow came along the Killarney Road bellowing. When she came to the cross she faced down the bog. After a while she rooted with her legs and horns. She left again in the evening and went west. It was said she had come from Castlemaine. When people went down they found a stream of water where she had been rooting. The first man who went to the well was a blind man from Tipperary. He had a dream on three nights that he would be cured if he visited the well. Which was by another name Tubber na mo Mingnon mon Clare na Blaogh which means tubber of the bogs beneath the fogs of Clare, He went with his friend O Leary from Coomlegane. They went on horseback to the well. On the first night after paying the round the blind man asked is that gravel. On the second night he asked is that a horse. On the (third) night he was cured. The waters are especially good for sight. The prayers to be said are five Our Fathers and five Hail Marys and five Glorys."
On May Sundays, 300 to 400 people of all ages visit the well.
The well is stewarded by James O Sullivan, who's family has stewarded the well for generations.
The well has its own Facebook page
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 Eóin's Well, also referred to Saint Senan's Well or St. Luke's Well.
2 Townland, County, GPS
Asdee, County Kerry
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
St. Eoin's well is a circular well filled with clear water located in a field with a small wooden fence around it. It is below ground, surrounded by stone and has a shrine with a Virgin Mary statue near it.
4 Cure
The well is said to hold a cure for sore eyes and rheumatism. The cure is obtained by "...drink[ing] the well-water. They never bathe in the well but they rub it to the affected part." (SFC, 0403:039)
5 Pattern day
The well is visited "the Saturday before May-day, the first Saturday in May and before St. John's day." (SFC, 0403:038) Mass is held yearly on June 24th.
6 Offerings
Offerings include string/pieces of cloth, pictures of saint john, and medals. The cloth is tied to a bush which grows close to the well.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
"You should go round the well three times and say a rosary while you are going around. This should be done three times." (SFC, 0403:038)
8 Stories
One story from the School Folklore Collection is as follows: "One day as St. Eóin was saying Mass by the well the priest hunters came along. The people got afraid but St. Eóin told them not to be afraid and when he had Mass finished he mounted his horse and the horse rose up into the air and came down on top of Cnoc an Áir." (SFC, 0403:038)
Another story also from the School Folklore Collection: "One day a man who was blind in one eye went to the well and started to do the rounds. When he had the rounds finished he washed his eye with the water from the well. After a while the eye was cured and when he opened his eye he saw the lump that was in it swimming in the water, and after a while a fish came to the top of he water and carried the lump away with him." (SFC, 0403:104)
And another from Dwelling, Place and Environment, written by Walter G Brenneman: "On the eve of her wedding she went to meditate at St Eoin’s well. She sat on the grass before the well, and out from out of a nearby bush there sprung a golden trout, moving on its tail as a salmon skims the across the surface of the water. The trout leapt into the water and disappeared. From the spot where he disappeared, there arose a continuous stream of bubbles. These are considered to be full of power and no doubt refer back to the na bolcca immaiss, or mystic bubble of inspiration of the Well of Segais." (ed David Saemon, Robert Mugerauer,1985)
9 Publications
https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4666582?pageNum=038
https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2020/03/01/north-kerry-escapade-part-2/
David Saemon and Robert Mugerauer, Dwelling, Place, and Environment, 1985
10 More
Picture from Clarke at https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2020/03/01/north-kerry-escapade-part-2/
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well rests right at the coastal water line in a hollow lined with big round stones. Despite the waves occasionally depositing sand, shells, stones, and more into the well, the water remains fresh. As of 1998, Mr. John Sarsfield cleans out the well in the winter, and takes care of it during the summer. He also collects the offerings, which range from stones and shells, to buttons, pins, religious medals, and more. He leaves candles for the the well's visitors (Connolly and Moroney, 1998) (Conlon, 2000).
4 Cure
People still visit the well for eye cures, which recent cures reported. In the past, the water was said to cure malarial fever and other diseases (Connolly and Moroney, 1998) (The Schools Collection).
5 Pattern day
Up to a century ago, "annual pattern took place at the well on the 7th of June, the feast of Saint Colman. The well was visited and from there a procession went to Salterstown Church and graveyard" (Moroney and Connolly, 1998).
6 Offerings
As mentioned previously, people leave stones, shells, beaded necklaces, pins, religious medals and more (Connolly and Moroney, 1998) (Conlon, 2000). It is also said that any people who take the offerings in ill will will confer the disease of the person who put the offering there (The Schools Collection).
8 Stories
According to the Schools Collection, a saint (likely Saint Colman, although it is unclear) and a chief, who didn't believe the saint was doing enough, went head-to-head at this spot. Upon being proven wrong by divine intervention involving the chief standing on one side of the scale, and a "God Bless You" spoken to the other side of the scale by the saint, the chief asked to be baptized then and there. Because there was no freshwater, the saint struck a rock with his staff and "there issued immediately forth a strong stream of water" (The Schools Collection)
9 Publications
"Holy Wells of County Louth" by Larry Conlon (2000)
The Schools Collection, Volume 0671, page 151-153: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008858/4961378
"Stone and Tree Sheltering Water: An Exploration of Sacred and Secular Wells in County Louth" by Susan Connolly and Anne-Marie Moroney (1998)
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is enclosed by an earthy wall, with grass, Fuchsia bushes, and a stone pillar gate protecting the well. The well is coffin shaped and flush with the ground with a decorative window and the words "Marian Year 1954" written on the well in white pebbles. There is a blue PVC shelf below the white window with a small set of offerings to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Flower pots and other decorations are at the site.. A circular path surrounds the well with the intention of paying rounds clockwise. In front of and behind the well run channels to route the well overflow down the hill on which it sits.
4 Cure
The well is noted to have many cures, of which include sore eyes, any sore in general, and aching limbs. After paying rounds and saying prayers, the affected person may drink from a cup at the well and rub the water on their ailments.
5 Pattern day
People gather at the well the Saturday before St. John's and again in September.
6 Offerings
Offerings are placed onto the blue PVC shelf below the window. Items like candles, flowers, and small religious statues and medals are placed by the well.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
The well's prayer rounds are 9 rounds around the well and a repeated rosary every 3 rotations. Uniquely, the rounds are completed counterclockwise instead of clockwise--or the direction followed across Ireland has been confused in local tradition.
8 Stories
According to the School's Folklore Collection, there is one famous account of the well within the community: "One night a man called Barry went hunting a horse and he broke his leg. He was a long time lying on a settle bed near the fire and was not improving. There was a blessed well on the top of Cnoc an Óir, the name of it was Tobar na Croidhe (Well of the Bush). His mother took him on her back to this well, she brought home the moss of the well and rubbed it to his leg. She took him three times afterwards, and the third time he could walk it down. It never played on him again. His brother was sewing harness with a straddle needle. When he was pulling it out it stuck in his eye and blood spouted out of it. His mother took him to the same well and rubbed the moss to his eye. The third day he said to her I can see a trout in the bottom of the well. From that day out his eye was alright"
Staff of Jesus Holy Well, Bachall Íosa, Baghuleesa
2 Townland, County, GPS
Farthingville East, Co. Cork
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is currently abandoned.
“A jumble of stones around [the] base” of a multi-trunked hawthorne “was all that remained of any possible structure. There was no sign of any water either, though a stream ran close by”
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).
.
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.
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.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Toberahulla is located directly under a large tree. Several wooden altars have been placed on this tree in order to hold crucifixes and figures of individual saints. A mountain stream runs next to the road near the field before flowing into the well. The waters then combine and flow into the nearby Blackwater river. There are two stone steps leading into the well for pilgrims to access the well water.
4 Cure
One of the first alleged cures occurred when a man from Castlelyons in County Cork visited the well on the eve of the feast day in order to cure his deformed feet. The man stayed at the well all night, and found himself able to walk freely the following day. The well is said to cure a variety of physical ailments, including deformities and eye injuries.
5 Pattern day
The pattern day is celebrated on September 29th. Many pilgrims from several counties used to visit the site, but attendance was discouraged from the years 1838 to 1866 by Fr. Fogarty of Lismore following several brawls between rivaling communities. A revival occurred during the 20th century, and it became common for vendors to sell sweets during the pattern day. The celebration would be supplemented with alcohol and dancing, but now only local people celebrate the pattern day.
6 Offerings
Votives of beads, medals, and crucifixes were hung on the large tree next to the well.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Celebrations would begin 9 days before the pattern day in order for pilgrims to prepare for their rounds. Pilgrims would pray and then walk through the nearby stream, wash their hands and face, then dance at the nearby crossroad until midnight. Individuals with severe diseases would stay at the well all night in hopes of amplifying the effect of their cure.
8 Stories
According to legend, fighting between pilgrims on one pattern day was so intense that the nearby stream ran red with blood. From that moment on, some pilgrim refer to the well as Tobar na Fola (The Well of Blood). Another legend states that a young woman with an eye affliction washer her eyes in the water after visiting the site with her mother. The two prayed, washed again, and realized that the little girl was able to see the lights of the houses in the distance. After another round of prayer and washing, the girl's site was fully regained.
9 Publications
Eugene Broderick. 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford. (p.47-48)
Schools Folklore Collection. 0640:33-35.
10 More
It is said that there is a small footprint impressed into a stone near the well that was left by St. Brigid.
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/
The Well of St. Cathaldus is dedicated to Saint Cathaldus.
2 Townland, County, GPS
The well is located in Canty, Count Waterford (west of Dungarvan).
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is located in a field owned by a farmer and his family. A large crab apple tree used to shade the well, but most of the tree has been removed.
4 Cure
It is said that the well once held cures for sore eyes.
5 Pattern day
The pattern day was once celebrated on May 10th, but has now fallen out of popularity with pilgrims as it is believed the well is no longer curative.
6 Offerings
Rosaries were once tied to the crab apple tree that grew above the well. Close to 100 years ago, children from the village would throw rocks at the tree to knock down the apples, but the rocks would then fall into the surrounding field. The farmer who owned the land (Mr. Kiely) became angry at the children because one of their rocks had fallen into the hay he was cutting and had broken his scythe when he went to cut the hay. He cut the tree down and threw it into the corner of the field before dying several months later from unknown causes. The well dried for several days after the man cut down the tree, and now dries each summer.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
The well is no longer visited for its cures. Rather, pilgrims will visit the site in order to honor Saint Cathaldus.
8 Stories
It is said that the well lost its curative nature after an unknown woman washed her clothing in the well's waters .
9 Publications
Eugene Broderick (2016) Broderick, Eugene. 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford. (p.52)
http://homepage.eircom.net/~whitech/historyofcanty.htm
10 More
This site was deemed to be significant to the life of St. Cathaldus by an Italian delegation in the year 2000 who visited Canty in order to honor the saint.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well can be found off R671 towards Clonmel for 5km and it is signposted under “The Holy Well.” Josephine and Jerry Fitzgerald contributed to the many plaques that are there. There is a statue of saint Declan and a plaque that reads much about Saint Declan’s contributions. A statue of Mary stands nearby with two stone crucifixes. A stone altar is above and a pulpit is nearby for outdoor services.
(Broderick 2016: 45).
4 Cure
People who visit the site must visit three times in order to be cured. Many wash their limbs, as the well is believed to have curative properties for skin ailments. It is also believed to cure eye ailments as well (Broderick 2016: 45). Those wishing to bathe an afflicted portion of the body are asked to bathe in a small shielded area to which the well flows and water used for washing then flows away. Washing is not undertaken at the main font.
5 Pattern day
The pattern day is celebrated on July 24, and mass is celebrated at the site. Rounds are also done as part of the pattern day ritual.
6 Offerings
There is evidence of offerings deposited at the site. These include flowers and plastic flowers, rosary beads, rags, shoe laces, ties, and towels. The rags and towels are tied to a nearby bush. There is a wooden cross nearby where people hang rosary beads.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
The well does observe a long standing pilgrimage tradition, and people do a round at the well reciting the rosary. Many also wash their limbs in a nearby trough as part of the ritual.
8 Stories
Stories say that St. Declan stopped at this well himself for a drink on his way to Cashel. Much of its upkeep in the mid 20th century was due to the Fitzgeralds and their plaque contributions. These nearby crucifixes and pulpit are Church-approved forms of piety at the well and speak to modern traditions (Broderick 2016: 45).
9 Publications
Broderick, Eugene. 2016. Patterns and Patrons: The Holy Wells of Waterford. 45.
St. Flainn's well also honors the Blessed Virgin Mary
2 Townland, County, GPS
Cloonnafinneela, Kerry
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
"The well is surrounded by a wall and over it grows a large yew tree which is laden with offerings and decorated with beautiful flowers." (SFC 0412:221) It is also said that the well is on a hill near the river Rae and that the ruins of Saint Flainn's hermitage are close by. A statue of teh Blessed Virgin Mary is part of the site shrine. (See Amanda Clarke's description:https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2019/11/03/signage-paths-no-cows-three-wells-in-north-kerry/)
4 Cure
The holy well contains a cure for blindness. (SFC 0412:221)
5 Pattern day
April 30th, or May Eve, is the pattern day associated with St. Flainn's well. It is celebrated with an open air mass and a procession from a church close by called St Mary's along the river and to the well. (Clark, 2019: https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2019/11/03/signage-paths-no-cows-three-wells-in-north-kerry/)
6 Offerings
Flowers, figurines, and rosaries are left by the statue of the Virgin Mary on top of the well. It is also said that votives are left on the yew tree close to the well. (SFC 0412:221)
7 Prayer rounds and stations
"When saying the Rosary a person should begin at the well and proceed to the right up a little hill and round the well and then finish it at the well." (SFC 0412:221)
8 Stories
The most common story about this well seems to be its origin story: A man called Saint Flainn became blind in his old age and, because of his devotion to her, the Virgin Mary came to him and offered him the cure to his blindness. Instead of accepting this healing and regaining his sight he asked that cure be put into the well so that many people after him could be cured of their eye ailments instead. (Kilflynn; GoKerry.ie)
9 Publications
Galvin, John. A Social History of Rural Ireland of the 1950s: Remembering Crotta
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well is in the form of a tree with the water seeping around the roots possibly being the remnants of the well. There are large stones around the tree with one of them possibly having a cross carved into it.
4 Cure
This holy well can help cure eye ailments.
9 Publications
Clarke, Amanda. “Gazetteer.” Holy Wells of Cork & Kerry, 29 Mar. 2022, https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/gazetteer/.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is a clear spring surrounded by a stone wall. A statue of St. Brigid stands over the well and a small tree carrying many rags is beside it.
4 Cure
Said to be effective in curing eye diseases. One must wash their eyes with the water from the well and pray at the well.
5 Pattern day
1st of February
Pilgrims would circumnavigate the well nine times, dropping a small stone after each rotation. After finishing the rounds they kneel on top of the well and say their prayers.