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.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
“Located north of Terryglass village c. 3m west of a nearby stream with a linear earthwork nearby; part of the monastic complex. A roughly circular shaped well (0.68 x 0.6m; D 0.25m) enclosed by a semicircular shaped stone wall (H 0.85m; T 0.3m). There is a small crucifix in a niche on the inner face of the enclosing wall” (Farrelly & O’Brien, 2002: 274).
4 Cure
The well is used by local people for the curative powers for headaches (Farrelly & O’Brien, 2002: 274).
9 Publications
Farrelly, Jean and Caimin O’Brien. 2002. Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary- North Tipperary. Vol 1. Dublin : Stationery Office.
PP 273- 278.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
"St Brigid’s Well at Iskaroon, Dunderry, is located near the site of the church and graveyard of St Brigid. The well had a stone plaque which bears the following inscription: “Pray for the soule of of Robert, Lord Baron of Trimlestowne 1687.” The well is associated with the well at Tullaghanogue which bears a similar plaque. In the 1830’s the land was the property of Christopher Barnewall, a member of the Trimlestown family…The walls of the church had fallen down by the 1860’s and the graveyard had fallen out of use decades earlier. St Brigid’s Well, a short distance west of the church, was shaded by an elm tree in the 1860’s…There had been four walls surrounding the well but the front one had disappeared. A schoolgirl recorded that there was about three to four inches of water in the well. A glass had been put in the well to partake of the water but this too had disappeared. A bush grew over the well…Today the well is still being used as a source of water. It is now covered with a few corrugated iron sheets but the water is still clear and fresh. The Trimlestown stone sits beside a lone tree on the site of the nearby church and graveyard” (French 2012: 31).
4 Cure
“In the 1930’s a local schoolgirl said that headaches were cured at the well” (French 2012: 31).
5 Pattern day
1 February
8 Stories
“In 1942 the well was located on the lands of Mr. H. Kirwan, Tullyard. The well had almost fallen out of memory. The name of the townland, Iskaroon, Eiscir or Uisce Ruadhain, may be related to Tobar Rua in nearby Kilbride. There is a church dedicated to St Brigid at nearby Kilbride” French 2012: 31).
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.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Located north of the town of Kells on a narrow laneway off the road to Oldcastle. Noel French notes that "the field beside St Colmcille’s Well is called Curragh Murragh, meaning the flat swamp. This wetland area may have been a lake originally which was then drained… The well adjoins the site of St Mary’s Abbey, re-founded by Hugh de Lacy in the twelfth century. The monks at the nearby abbey may have taken their water from this well” (French 2012: 21-22).
4 Cure
headaches, sore legs, toothache
5 Pattern day
“In the early part of the twentieth century large crowds assembled on the eve of St Colmcille’s day and recited the Holy Rosary in honour of the saint. Townspeople assembled there and decorated the well with flowers and candles. People visited the well to pray and brought home water to drink…after the merriment the Rosary was recited and people went home” (French 2012: 22).
In 2012, French writes that “the annual pattern day is now celebrated on the ninth of June, the anniversary of Columcille’s death in 597 AD” (French 2012: 22).
8 Stories
“In 1938 a school child recorded that the previous year Mrs. Reilly of Carrick Street was suffering from toothache and her face was badly swollen. She went to the well, blessed herself with the water and immediately the swelling and town and the pain ceased” (French 2012: 22).
“The well is named after the patron saint of the parish. According to tradition St Colmcille founded the monastery of Kells in 550 AD and the community at Iona moved to the settlement in the early years of the ninth century” (French 2012: 22).
During the evenings on pattern days, “the local band played popular tunes. Sometimes a Dublin band also played as well” (French 2012: 22).
French notes that “according to local tradition five fish appeared in the well on a certain night of the year, possibly on the eve of St Colmcille’s day” and “according to tradition the well will never run dry” (French 2012: 22).
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
Also spelled Columbkille and Columcille.
“The Book of Kells was discovered near this spot when it was recovered after being stolen in 1007” (French 2012: 22).
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Tullaghanogue Church is located near the well, the well is “to the east of the church… dedicated to St Nicholas” (French 2012: 73-74). French states that “this well appears to be located at the centre of a circular earthwork feature and is located off the farmyard entrance to Tullaghanogue House, formerly called Shamrock Hill” (French 2012: 74).
4 Cure
Cures nervous diseases, headaches, vomiting.
5 Pattern day
“Stations were preformed at the start of the harvest on the first Sunday in August” (French 2012: 74).
8 Stories
French gives additional information on St Nicholas: “the parish of Castlerickard is dedicated to St Nicholas and the National School in Longwood is named after St Nicholas. St Nicholas was the patron saint of Dunsany and of Greenogue parish. Near the castle at Dunsany stands the church of St Nicholas. The feast of St Nicholas falls on 6 December. The first Anglo-Norman church at Skyrne was dedicated to St Nicholas. The remains of the saint, who inspired the legend of Santa Claus, is said to have been buried in Newtown Jerpoint in Kilkenny in medieval times” (French 2012: 74).
9 Publications
French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Trim Heritage Centre.
10 More
French notes that the well is also called Tobernuaglas or new green well” (French 2012: 74). An inscription on the well reads “Pray for the soule of Robert Lord Baron Trimlestowne 1687” another inscription reads “Pray for ye soule of Mrs. Alice Griffin; her husband Mr. J. Griffin. Erected by her family – 1764” (French 2012: 74).