St. Martin's Well

St. Martin's Well

St. Martin's Well

Tarmon East, North Kerry

St. Martin's Well is found in a field surrounded by a fence with a cluster of whitethorns around it. It is boarded up with a small door and covered in plant growth so it is currently not able to be accessed. In the past however, it was described as follows: "This small clear well comprises a circular area constructed of drystone and flagstones."(Danachair, 1955).

This well held a cure for insanity.

Because the well is abandoned not much is known about the celebrations, offerings, or rounds done at the well. The pattern day for Saint Martin is November 11th, so one can assume that this was a day during which the well was visited.

This story does not directly apply to the well but rather the well's patron saint, St. Martin. In County Kerry, the custom on the eve of his pattern day (November 11th) is to slaughter an animal, usually a goose or some sort of fowl. What is done with the blood of the animal varies in each story but more information can be found at the School's Folklore Collection by searching for 'St. Martin'.

https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/2020/02/21/st-senan-friends/
Danachair, Caoimhín Ó. The Holy Wells of North Kerry,1955.
https://www.duchas.ie/en/src?q=martin%27s&t=CbesTranscript&ct=CI

Photograph from Clarke at holywellscorkandkerry.com