Dublin Core
Title
St Brigid’s Well
Description of Well Item Type Metadata
1 Name of well and saint
St Brigid’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Martry, Meath
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
“St Brigid’s Well is located near the old church at Martry…In 1886 the well was described as being enclosed by a circular of dry masonry and overshadowed by an aged ash tree” (French 2012: 35).
4 Cure
“The well is dedicated to St Brigid and is reputed to be curative especially for asthma and many rags were hung from the tree above it” (French 2012: 35).
5 Pattern day
“In the 1860s Cogan wrote that a station used to be held at the well on St Brigid’s Day but during the penal days had taken place in a neighbouring farmer’s house. Also, French states that “a pattern was held on the first of February” (French 2012: 35).
6 Offerings
rags
8 Stories
According the Thunder, “Martry was celebrated for its ‘Pattern.’ After the Teltown Games were prohibited the people used to assemble occasionally in the neighborhood of Martry, and there carried on their sports, viz. boxing, wrestling, and other athletic exercises. The men of Meath used to boast that they far excelled their neighbors of other counties in physical strength and dexterity” (Thunder 1886: 655).
9 Publications
Thunder, John M. “The Holy Wells of Meath.” The Journal of the Royal Historical and
Archaeological Association of Ireland. Oct 1886-Jan 1887, pp 655-658.
French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.
Archaeological Association of Ireland. Oct 1886-Jan 1887, pp 655-658.
French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.