Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on E bank of stream in Ketragh Glen. Stone-lined well covered by D-shaped stone-built structure with corbelled roof covered by overgrowth; entrance (H 0.8m; Wth 0.52m) on straight (E) side; small ope (0.3m x 0.3m) at base on W side - may be overflow. Engraving on lintel over entrance reads 'Owen Egan of Knocknanuss erected this in honour of God and BL...AD...'; Grove White (1905-25, vol. 2, 112) read '...78' at end of inscription. According to Bowman (1934, 50), Egan was a mason who became blind and whose sight was restored by paying rounds at well. He then erected structure over well in thanksgiving.
Figure inscribed on stone on each side of entrance. Figure to left occasionally mistaken for Sheela-na-Gig; it stands upright with arms extending upwards, bent at elbow with palms of hands and all fingers shown; oval head with almond-shaped eyes and narrow mouth; torso well-defined, slightly swollen stomach with navel area evident; 'genital area defined but no attempt made at display' (Cherry 1993, 109); legs extend only to knees; crosses on forehead, palms and stomach area inscribed by pilgrims. According to Cherry (ibid.), 'figure is in the orant position and dates to the later medieval period at the earliest'. Stone to right of entrance inscribed with small worn figure with circular head bedecked with wavy head dress; swollen stomach; right arm on hip, left arm extended; wearing short sleeved garment almost covering feet. Cross inscribed on stomach.
Some votive offerings lie around well and crosses have been inscribed on both figures and on other stones of well structure, indicating that it is still in holy use. Both Grove White (ibid.) and Bowman (ibid.) record well as dedicated to St Bridget and visited February 1st. According to Bowman (ibid.), 'rounds paid on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; on the Sundays the rounds must be paid before mass and Holy communion must be received in Castlemagner church'.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009