3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Close to the sea, St. Dennis's Well is on a slope in a tall rectangular structure, and only holds water in the winter. There is a large slab covering the well, with initials and crosses carved carefully into the stone.. It is additionally described as "roughly 8 ft long, 3 ft 6 ins wide, and 2 ft 10 ins deep" (Corcoran et al., 1930).
The well is in a cove on a seashore, it is shallow and has a stone structure over it. There is a large stone a short distance from the well that is known as St. Dennis's stone, it is said to have an imprint of the saint's knees.
5 Pattern day
St. Dennis's Feast Day is on the 9th of October, and it is mentioned that "in times past there was an extended patterns which might have incorporated both dates." Connolly and Moroney also note that, "On the last day of the pattern, called 'Sheela's Monday,' the 'Mayor' of the area was paraded in ridiculous guise to the well where he was immersed. This custom came to an abrupt end when the last incumbent candidate nearly drowned!"
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Stations are mentioned, but it is unclear what they were (Connolly and Moroney, 1998) (Corcoran et al. 1930). It was also supposedly a pilgrimage destination (Corcoran et al., 1930).
8 Stories
It is said that when he was young, St. Dennis worked for a farmer in Clogherhead. He prayed at the well early every Sunday. Later, he was noticed by a priest, who sent word of him to the Pope, and eventually St. Dennis went to Rome. On his return voyage, he was shipwrecked and his body was swept into Clogher on a huge stone (St. Dennis's stone).
It is said that, in the last century, a sailor who lost his leg had it re-attached after making a pattern at the well (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
9 Publications
The Schools' Collection", Volume 0675, pages 28-31: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008868/4962270
"The Holy Wells of County Louth" by Larry Conclon, (1999), pages 346-347: https://www.jstor.org/stable/27729850?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
The Schools' Collection", Volume 0675, pages 28-31: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008868/4962270
"The Holy Wells of County Louth" by Larry Conclon, (1999), pages 346-347: https://www.jstor.org/stable/27729850?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
"Walk to explore Clogherhead's great coastal history," Drogheda Independent, 2011: https://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/news/walk-to-explore-clogherheads-great-coastal-history-27157612.html
"Townland Survey of County Louth" P. Corcoran, P. Ua Dubhda, S. Ua Mhairtin, and J.G. MacCooey (1930)
10 More
An article in the Drogheda Independent includes St. Dennis's Well in the Annagassan and District Historical Society walk around the coastline, and mentions "unusual carvings" in the stone (Drogheda Independent, 2011). Additionally, for more information about St. Dennis's colorful past, see The Schools Collection page here: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008868/4962269/5077003
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well lies along a path, through gates and two field (where you will find "curious cattle"). There appears to be a stone wall that visitors have to climb to get to the path that has been embedded with horseshoes. The well itself is round and shallow, in a marshy environment surrounded by tall trees. It lies in the corner of a field and there is evidence to suggest that the well might have been more "built up" in former times (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
4 Cure
Most commonly headaches, but Saint Patrick himself is said to have told people to wash their sores in the water, and they will be cured. It is also mentioned that people take the water for other "cures" (Connolly and Moroney, 1998) (The Schools Collection).
5 Pattern day
The First Sundays of May and August, until around 1836 (Conlon, 2000). Additionally, a mass is always said in honor of Saint Patrick on March 17 at the well (The Schools Collection)
6 Offerings
None are left, but the family who owns the field where the well is located decorates the path to the well every year on March 17th (Saint Patrick's Day).
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Stations are mentioned but with no detail (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
8 Stories
It is said that Saint Patrick's staff left a long unusual groove in a stone close to the marsh. A hidden, basin-like stone is said to have provided Saint Patrick with a bowl for drinking and shaving, with the razor "having been made at the forge down the road" (Connolly and Moroney, 1998). Additionally. Saint Patrick himself is said to have washed his hands in the well while he was teaching true faith. The mark of his knees, where he kneeled, is said to be visible along with the footprints of those listening to him (The Schools Collection).
9 Publications
The Schools Collection, Volume 0665, Page 360 (https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008838/4960026)
"Stone and Tree Sheltering Water: An Exploration of Sacred and Secular Wells in County Louth," Susan Connolly and Anne-Marie Moroney (1998)
News article from The Argus: "Restoration Committee officially end term in office" (September 1, 2010) (https://www.independent.ie/regionals/argus/news/restoration-committee-officially-end-term-in-office-26946647.html)
"The Holy Wells of County Louth" by Larry Conlon (2000), (https://www.jstor.org/stable/27729874?seq=5#metadata_info_tab_contents)
10 More
A news article (from The Argus) stated that: "This coming Sunday (possibly the 11th or the 18th) the parishioners of Louth and Inniskeen will congregate at St. Patrick Well, Channonrock at 3pm. They have been doing this since the year 2000 and hopefully another good crowd will turn up."This indicates that perhaps the well is being used by local parishes as a holy site despite the lack of information about rites, Stations, and rounds.
Carlanstown, Meath. “Carolinstown, in the barony of Lower Keels,” (Thunder 1886: 655)
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).
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.