St. Patrick's Well

St. Patrick's Well

St Patrick’s Well

College Ward, Dublin

Branigan notes that “St Patrick’s Well is located in the darkness at the end of a short tunnel in the Provost’s Garden in Trinity College. The well is actually located beneath the footpath on Nassau Street but it was previously located above ground. When the mound, which held the remains of the Thing Mote (Viking Parliament), was disassembled in the seventeenth century and spread along Nassau Street (then known as Patrick’s Well Lane), the well was forced underground. It is a 40ft deep draw well but heavily silted up and now only 4ft deep. Archaeologists have assessed it on numerous occasions but no excavation has ever taken place here” (Branigan 2012: 79).

“It is generally though that the celebrations held today on St Patrick’s Day originated in the form of the pattern held at this well, and it is thought that St Patrick first baptized the Dublin Pagans here” (Branigan 2012: 79).

Additionally, “it is believed that frogs were first introduced to Ireland when frog spawn was put into this well” (Branigan 2012: 80).

Branigan, Gary. 2012. Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland. Dublin: The History Press Ireland.

“Appointments can be made with the Provost’s office to visit this well” (Branigan 2012: 80).