Dublin Core
Title
St. Martin
Description of Well Item Type Metadata
1 Name of well and saint
St. Martin's Blessed Well
2 Townland, County, GPS
Ballynacally, Co. Clare
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Houlihan states that the well "sits tight between a small rock face and the fast flowing Ballynacally Creek. The low cliff wall here has been utilised for the placement of statues and candles, with a small Lourdes grotto at the lower end of the site. There are also separate niches for the BVM and to the Child of Prague. The well has two openings -- one for blessings after prayers and a second generally used to collect water for home use" (Houlihan 2015: 121).
5 Pattern day
11 November, St. Martin's feast day
8 Stories
"[11 November], sometimes called Martinmas, was once held in high regard across Europe, with a custom of killing an animal or bird and sprinkling some of its blood on or around the homestead as protection for the coming year. This tradition was maintained until modern times in west Clare" (Houlihan 2-15: 122).
"A feature of the Ballynacally blessed wellpractive is night visitation when the walls and grottos are festooned with lighted candles" (Houlihan 2015: 122).
"A feature of the Ballynacally blessed wellpractive is night visitation when the walls and grottos are festooned with lighted candles" (Houlihan 2015: 122).
9 Publications
Houlihan, Michael. 2015. The Holy Wells of County Clare. Castleisland, Co. Kerry: Walsh Colour Print.