Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Two adjacent wells, at foot of short cliff, on W side of road. According to local information, rounds made to cure toothaches, earaches and other "affectations of the head"; according to tradition a trout has been seen in N well (Mary's well) and an eel in S well (Sunday's well) (ibid.). Each well enclosed by circular stone wall (H c. 2.3m; diam. c. 1.7m) corbelled inwards and open at top; rectangular recesses in walls of Mary's well. According to Hartnett (1939, 137), these were once roofed, with a door in each. Arched stone recess between wells with steps leading up to low altar on which stands statue of Blessed Virgin. Limestone slab set into this recess with 'IHS' in false relief and inverted heart inscribed beneath; cross-inscribed stone on ledge of altar; to right of altar, slab of limestone with rough depiction of crucifixion in false relief and incised cross; heart and incised crosses made by pilgrims. Votive offerings on small shelves in altar. Stone steps lead from front of each well to ground level on top of arched recess.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009