King of Sunday well

King of Sunday well

Sunday’s Well. Dedicated to the King of Sunday.

Agharinagh, County Cork

According to Amanda Clarke’s Blog, the well is hidden but still very much revered. It is a secret, but powerful place only known to those it matters to. A horseshoe of mossy stones curves around the well. A lintel slab lays on top of the stone and is covered in many offerings. There is also a slab in front of the well which allows access to the water adjacent to the well. Crosses are etched onto the lintel stone and the mossy side stones. Behind the well is a large amount of stones that were possibly left by pilgrims as part of rounds. The well is somewhat neglected, but it is still visited by elder locals in the towns of Magoola, Agharinagh and Dromgouna.

The well is said to have cured lameness in many cripples.

Holy water bottles, statues, figurines, candles, a crucifix bearing an elongated and emaciated Jesus were left as offerings on the stones surrounding the well.

The Schools’ Folklore Collection provided many stories about this well in Amanda Clarke’s blog. “There are many stories connected with this spot one of which was about an old man from Dromgouna whose name was Paddy Sullivan. He thought he was called one night to plant a tree alongside the well so that people could hang their offerings on the branches. He rose next morning and planted the tree which can still be seen growing there. It is said that Mass was celebrated there in Penal Times. It is now known by the name of Sundays’ Well and people still visit it on a Sunday to pray. (0348:177)

Clarke, Amanda. "Gazetteer." Holy Wells of Cork. Accessed November 4th, 2018. https://holywellsofcork.com/gazeteer/.
The Schools’ Folklore Collection. Clarke, Amanda. "Gazetteer." Holy Wells of Cork. Accessed November 4th, 2018. https://holywellsofcork.com/gazeteer/.