Our Lady

Our Lady

Abbey Well, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary
This well has other names including Friary Well, Tobar na Mainistreache, and Lady’s Well

Abbey-Lands, County Cork

The well is located at the end of an alleyway. It is marked by a sign that gives the history of the well. It has a semicircular wall of stonesaround it with shelves that may have been intended for offerings (see Amanda Clarke)

There is no one cure associated with this well, but it was thought to be especially effective in curing Leprosy. (Clark, https://holywellsofcork.com/2016/11/03/two-kinsale-wells/)

The 15th of August

Amanda Clarke reports “The well is still dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and it seems that she has even made a brief appearance here. Cait Ni Síoccáin collected this story in 1937 as part of the Schools’ Folklore Collection: … The story is told how a man went for some water at twelve o clock one night. When he got to the centre of the lane something stopped him, He made the sign of the cross and then found he was able to walk again. When he got to the well Our Blessed Lady appeared to him and told him that it was the spirits that stopped him on his way to the well. She also told him that these spirits wanted to frighten people and it was very dangerous to be out late at night. Thinking that she was another spirit the man blessed himself again. Our Lady told him not to fear that she was the Mother of God. She said she would protect him until he was safe in his own home. She did so and when he got home he knelt down and thanked her, then he kissed her hand and she disappeared… ( 0319:70)” (Clark, https://holywellsofcork.com/2016/11/03/two-kinsale-wells/)

Clarke, Amanda. "Gazetteer." Holy Wells of Cork. Accessed November 2, 2018. https://holywellsofcork.com/gazeteer/.
Clarke, Amanda. “No title” Holy Wells of Cork, 31 OCT, 2016. https://holywellsofcork.com/img_0021-2/