St. Patrick's well

Dublin Core

Title

St. Patrick's well

Description of Well Item Type Metadata

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.