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.