St Dalbach's Well, Tobar Beannithe Cúil

St Dalbach's Well, Tobar Beannithe Cúil

Amanda Clarke

St Dalbach's Well, Tobar Beannithe Cúil

Coole Upper, County Cork; 52.10847616, -8.2031547

The well itself is nicely made: a barrel-roofed wellhouse made from stone, with a neatly flagged surrounding area, two stone seats near the entrance, all festooned with ferns. A slab in front bears an engraved cross and around it seven kneeling stones are placed, visited as as part of the rounds.

Cure for sore eyes, ears and warts. An entry from the Schools' Folklore Collection: …there is a boy living in Coolagou… and his name is Kevin Lyons. A few years ago he had a very sore ear. One day his mother took him to the holy well at Coole and performed the rounds, After a few days his ear was all right because his mother had faith enough in the holly (sic) well. (049:0377)

23rd October

Statues, crucifixes, rosaries, bows, coins, medals etc mostly placed on top of the well house

The rules for pilgrimage are clearly outlined on a board outside the sanctuary. You should approach from the north, walk deisal (clockwise), keeping to the right and in single file. Collect nine small stones as counters and each time you have accomplished a round (a walk around the well, praying at each of the seven kneeling stones and reciting Our Fathers etc) throw one pebble away. When you have none left your turas (pilgrimage) is achieved. Finally make an offering and drink the water three times (using your palms if there is no cup), then hang a cloth in the bushes.

This is how it is meant to have originated: Long ago the blessed well at Coole was just a spring. A female inhabitant of Coole Abbey House was reputed ot have seen a monk praying at this spring and she ordered an oratory to be built over it. The well is dedicated to St Deviet or which is an anglicised version of St Dalbach …

Schools' Folklore Collection (049:0377)

SMR number: CO036-019005
The well may have originated as part of the Coole Abbey complex - the remains of two churches still exist nearby. St Dalbach may have been an anchorite.