3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well is nestled in a hillside. A large yellow cross marks the spot and a silver statue on a plinth depicting Archangel Michael wrestling with Satan.
4 Cure
sore eyes
5 Pattern day
September 29
6 Offerings
buttons and coins
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Every person says different prayers, but at an outer circle of stones, most pray "The Creed" and five" Our Fathers," five "Hail Marys" and five "Glorias." These are recited while circumambulating the well. With every Gloria they pick up a stone and drop it down again after completion of the set with their right hand. When they are coming home they always leave something after them. Some people leave a button after them. They toss the button in the air and if it comes down with a chosen side turned up, the person will have good luck, but if it comes down with the wrong side, the person will have bad luck. (Amanda Clarke)
8 Stories
Long ago on Michaelmas Day everyone turned towards the holy well, like a Fair day or a day at the Regatta at present. The people used to put up stalls and sell oranges and apples and wine, whiskey and porter and there used to be wrestling. They used to have dances and concerts and plays near the well. Known as the “holy stone” or “Godstone.” (Amanda Clarke).
9 Publications
Clarke, Amanda. "Gazetteer." Holy Wells of Cork. Accessed November 31, 2018. https://holywellsofcork.com/gazeteer/.
Ronan, S., Egan, U., Byrne, E., Farrelly, J., Manning, C., Moore, F., . . . Walsh, P. (n.d.). Archaeological Inventory of County Cork (Vol. 5). Dublin: The Stationary Office.
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
St. Berrihert's Holy Well is situated in the northern foothills of the Galtee Mountains in the Glen of Aherlow. It is located in wet and marshy ground. Timber planks have been laid across the ground to facilitate access. The well is in fact a circular pool about 20 metres in diameter. Water can be seen bubbling up through the sand at the bottom of the well. A small stream flows from the pool. The well is surrounded by trees which adds to the very peaceful atmosphere.
5 Pattern day
The feast of St. Berrihert is February 18th. It seems there was once a pattern day here. (see story from the Schools Folklore Collection below)
6 Offerings
People leave a variety of offerings around the well including small religious icons, rosary beads, children's toys, ribbons tied to trees and many other small items. Some of these are tied to the trees which surround the well.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
There is a circular path around the well which appear to be used for doing rounds.
8 Stories
There is a story about the well in the Schools Folklore Collection which can be read online here: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5162130/5156633
According to local tradition, the water from the well cannot be boiled.
About 100 metres to the west of the well is St. Berrihert's Kyle, an early Christian ecclesiastical site with numerous carved stone cross slabs. The cross-slabs were incorporated into a circular enclosure during restoration work by the OPW in the 1940s.