Lady's Well

Lady's Well

Our Lady’s Well

Killyon, Meath

“In Killyon Manor grounds Lady Well is situated at the side of the avenue to the house, near the graveyard. Near the site of the well is a pre-historic tumulus and the site may have been the site of a chieftain’s residence” (French 2012: 46-47).

“Large crowds attended the well in the 1930s, many taking water in the hope of a cure of toothache or some other pain” (French 2012: 47).

“In the 1930s pilgrims visited the Killyon well on 15 August and did the rounds…the well is visited on its pattern day, when ceremonies take place at 3’oclock and also on the days prior and after the day” (French 2012: 47).

“While reciting the Rosary pilgrims walked in a circle on the five flat stones which surround the well, saying fifteen Hail Mary’s, three at each of the five steps. Pilgrims then blessed themselves with the water” (French 2012: 47).

“A local tradition stated that at the time of St Patrick the residence was donated to Liadhán, who founded a church there. The first bishops of Clonard/Meath had their residence at Killyon. Legend says that one August morning a priest was about to say Mass in the little church at Killyon when he discovered that there was no water. The nearest well was some distance away but when he went outside the church the priest discovered that a well had spring up no more than ten yards away from the gable of the building” (French 2012: 47).

“In the 1830s John O’Donovan notes the holy well in the churchyard at Killyon. He described the well at the gable of the old church and states that it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. According to O’Donovan St Kieran of Ossory founded the church of Killyon for his mother Liadain” (French 2012: 47).

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.

The level of the water in the well is dependent on the level of water in the nearby Deel river. The water in the well was very low until it rises up on the 15 August. In the 1940s a pattern was held every August when the parishioners marched in procession from Killyon Church. Having reached the well the Parish Priest recited the Rosary. Afterwards a sports meeting was held in the G.A.A. grounds not far from the well. In the Marian Year of 1954 Fr Matthew Clavin P.P erected as a statue of Our Lady and reconstructed the stonework around the well. The well was again restored in 1999” (French 2012: 47).