Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

At N end of St Abigail's Burial Ground (14117). Circular stone-lined well enclosed by D-shaped stone-built corbelled structure (wall c. 1.77m thick). Splayed entrance ope (H 1.38m; Wth 1.45m) to E with niche in wall on either side for cups (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 3, 341). Steps down to well inside entrance. Still in holy use; crosses engraved by pilgrims on stones around well. 'St Abigail expelling the plague 1872' inscribed on slab over entrance. Grove White (ibid.) noted 'carved figure about six inches long and three broad' over inscription. Berry (1905, 53) described 'rude painting...representing St Abigail kneeling before an altar, expelling the plague'. Removed from inside and re-erected outside after which paint came off and design 'cut in relief' only remained. Grove White (ibid.) in May 1902 recorded second similarly inscribed stone on S side of structure also requesting prayers for souls in purgatory and erectors of stone, dated 1874; strips of linen were tied to branches; he was informed that Mr John O'Callaghan who resided nearby repaired masonry and added inscriptions. Was called 'Johnny the Prayers' and was buried nearby. Well visited on February 11th and rounds paid (Bowman 1934, 540). According to Kavanagh (1991, 21), footpath links Shansepeal (14733) to here.

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

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