Dublin Core
Title
St Colmcille’s Well
Description of Well Item Type Metadata
1 Name of well and saint
St Colmcille’s Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Shallon, Meath
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
In 1886, Thunder recorded that “the well at Shallon is quadrangular: in a niche in the wall there is a fairly preserved statue of St. Columbkille” (Thunder 1886: 656).
In 2012 French reports that the well is located “in east Meath…on the old road between Duleek and Julianstown” (French 2012: 23). Additionally, French writes that “a wall was erected around the well to keep out cattle. There was a small statue of an abbot or monk surmounting the well but it is unlikely to be St Colmcille as it was carved in the fourteenth century from oolite stone imported from England. The statue originally faced the road but was damaged by a passers-by throwing stones at is. It was placed in its present position about 1925. The well is said never to run dry even in the hottest of summers” (French 2012: 23-24).
In 2012 French reports that the well is located “in east Meath…on the old road between Duleek and Julianstown” (French 2012: 23). Additionally, French writes that “a wall was erected around the well to keep out cattle. There was a small statue of an abbot or monk surmounting the well but it is unlikely to be St Colmcille as it was carved in the fourteenth century from oolite stone imported from England. The statue originally faced the road but was damaged by a passers-by throwing stones at is. It was placed in its present position about 1925. The well is said never to run dry even in the hottest of summers” (French 2012: 23-24).
4 Cure
Cures warts and sores
7 Prayer rounds and stations
“Stations were made by people going round the well on their knees” (French 2012: 23).
8 Stories
“St Colmcille is supposed to have discovered the well on a journey to a friend. He was so thirsty and the water was so cool he blessed the spring” (French 2012: 23).
“A piper used to come from Drogheda on Sunday evenings and young and old people collected and danced at the well” (French 2012: 24).
“A piper used to come from Drogheda on Sunday evenings and young and old people collected and danced at the well” (French 2012: 24).
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.