Shancor Holy Well

Shancor Holy Well

Brian Callaghan

http://www.irishidentity.com/extras/wayoflife/stories/holywell.htm
https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008978/4972943/5111318
https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008984/4973787/5110000
http://www.meathheritage.com/index.php/archives/item/me00224-shancor-ritual-site-holy-well
https://www.logainm.ie/en/38182
https://insearchofholywellsandhealingsprings.com/2016/03/19/guest-blog-post-meath-holy-wells-an-overview-and-focus-on-st-patrick-by-noel-french/

Shancor Holy Well (also called Killfannin Well). St Patrick

Shancor, Corcorra, County Meath

The well is situated about one mile along the Glen Road on the Bailieborough road from Kilmainhamwood, before the crossroads known locally as "Diana's Cross."

The well is visited for cure of ailments, such as toothaches, warts, and eye ailments.

Pattern day celebrations were held on the first Sunday in August and cattle were driven from neighbouring parts of East Cavan and North Meath because it was believed the well water had curative power. The tradition of Pattern Day on the first Sunday in August died out in the 1880s, but was revived in 1932. The following year Rev. Fr. Small P.P. had a small cross erected next to the well. Pattern Day celebrations at Shancor died out again by the end of the late 1940s. It was revived again in 1983, the 50th anniversary of 1933 and lasted a few years. In the past, cattle were driven from the neighbouring areas to the well on the first Sunday in August.

A coin, medal, pin, or needle is thrown into the well.

A prayer of the person's choice is said at each corner of the well.

There was a prophecy in connection with the well that "the wagons of war would pass within a pistol shot of the holy well," which was deemed to have been fulfilled with the passing lorries of the Black and Tans during the War of Independence.

Oliver Shankey, Shancor; Andy Shankey, Shancor; Eamonn Donnelly, Chairperson, Moybologue Historical Society moybologuehs@gmail.com