St. Berrihert's Well

Dublin Core

Title

St. Berrihert's Well

Description of Well Item Type Metadata

1 Name of well and saint

St. Berrihert's Holy Well

2 Townland, County, GPS

Ardane, County Tipperary

3 Physical description of well and its surroundings

St. Berrihert's Holy Well is situated in the northern foothills of the Galtee Mountains in the Glen of Aherlow. It is located in wet and marshy ground. Timber planks have been laid across the ground to facilitate access. The well is in fact a circular pool about 20 metres in diameter. Water can be seen bubbling up through the sand at the bottom of the well. A small stream flows from the pool. The well is surrounded by trees which adds to the very peaceful atmosphere.

5 Pattern day

The feast of St. Berrihert is February 18th. It seems there was once a pattern day here. (see story from the Schools Folklore Collection below)

6 Offerings

People leave a variety of offerings around the well including small religious icons, rosary beads, children's toys, ribbons tied to trees and many other small items. Some of these are tied to the trees which surround the well.

7 Prayer rounds and stations

There is a circular path around the well which appear to be used for doing rounds.

8 Stories

There is a story about the well in the Schools Folklore Collection which can be read online here: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5162130/5156633

According to local tradition, the water from the well cannot be boiled.

9 Publications

The well is mentioned on several websites:

http://www.megalithicireland.com/St%20Berrihert%27s%20Holy%20Well,%20Ardane,%20Tipperary.html

https://pilgrimagemedievalireland.com/tag/st-berriherts-kyle/

https://www.tipperarytown.ie/find-a-business/st-berriherts-well/

10 More

About 100 metres to the west of the well is St. Berrihert's Kyle, an early Christian ecclesiastical site with numerous carved stone cross slabs. The cross-slabs were incorporated into a circular enclosure during restoration work by the OPW in the 1940s.

Geolocation