Dublin Core
Title
Archangel Michael's Well St. Michael's Well
Description of Well Item Type Metadata
1 Name of well and saint
St. Michael’s Well or Tobar Mhichíl Naomhtha
2 Townland, County, GPS
County Kerry near Dingle
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
To get to the well visitors must cross a busy street and go around a bright blue wall. The wall has a slab sticking out from the middle on which a Latin cross has been inscribed on both sides. Behind this wall is the well, which is enclosed in a rectangular impoundment. (Amanda Clarke, https://holywellsofcork.com/2018/09/26/a-brief-encounter/)
4 Cure
Sore teeth and backs, rumored to help with baldness
5 Pattern day
September 29
6 Offerings
Pins, coins, medals, and rags/ribbons are tied in a nearby tree
7 Prayer rounds and stations
“Nine circuits of the well and the bridge were required, the pilgrim gathering nine small stones – releasing one by the well each time a round was completed” (Amanda Clarke)
8 Stories
“The well is dedicated to St Michael but Caoimhin (the keeper of the well) thinks the original dedication was to the Celtic goddess Mór, who has strong associations with this area. The townland is even called Baile Mór Thiar after her. Mór was eventually superseded by the masculine as Christian saints such as Michael and Brendan took hold but the feminine is carefully remembered in the choice of paint colours, reflecting the colours of Our Lady’s Mantle." (Amanda Clarke, https://holywellsofcork.com/2018/09/26/a-brief-encounter/)
9 Publications
Amanda Clarke’s Blog, https://holywellsofcork.com/2018/09/26/a-brief-encounter/