St. Patrick's Well

Dublin Core

Title

St. Patrick's Well

Description of Well Item Type Metadata

1 Name of well and saint

St. Patrick's Well

2 Townland, County, GPS

Townland: Chanonrock, County: Louth

3 Physical description of well and its surroundings

There is a stone beside the well which has an imprint of what is said to be St. Patrick's knee and staff.

4 Cure

The water from the well is said to cure headaches, also the original legend says sores will be healed if they are washed in the water.

5 Pattern day

There seem to be conflicting dates for when this well is celebrated. One reference suggests that historically it was celebrated on the first Sunday of May and August (Conlon, "Holy Wells of County Louth). Another says that a mass honoring St. Patrick is held at the well every year on March 17th ("The Schools' Collection"). A news article indicates that since 2000, gatherings at the well have taken place every year around the beginning of September (The Argus). This is likely the closest to what is currently celebrated.

7 Prayer rounds and stations

There seem to have been historically stations, but they are not known know. According to legend, you are supposed to kneel down and pray at the well.

8 Stories

It is said that St. Patrick washed his hands in the well one day, and said mass there. He told people to kneel and pray, and that the people who wash their sores in the water will be cured. The imprint on a nearby stone is said to be that of his knee and staff.

9 Publications

"The Holy Wells of County Louth" by Larry Conlon, p. 457: https://www.jstor.org/stable/27729850?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents

"The Schools' Collection", Volume 665, pages: 359-360: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008838/4960025

"Restoration Committee officially end term in office", In "the Argus", published September 1st, 2010: https://www.independent.ie/regionals/argus/news/restoration-committee-officially-end-term-in-office-26946647.html

Geolocation