Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Located at the bottom of a S-facing slope with the church of St. Feidhlimidh, and from 1454-c. 1860 the cathedral of the diocese of Kilmore (CV025-070004-) on the hilltop c. 120m to the N. A well is depicted on the 1835 and 1908 editions of the OS 6-inch map which is described as ‘St. Felimy’s Well’ in gothic lettering on both. The well was known in the folk tradition as one that would not ordinarily run dry but in the 1930s there was no memory of a pattern (IFC Schools’ Collection vol. 0977, 102-04, 111). The well was described in 1968 (SMR file) as a short passage leading to a corbelled well, but now the hillslope is retained by an E-W masonry wall (L c. 6m; H c. 2m), and this wall is surrounded by an iron railing with a gate at S leading almost immediately to a round-headed opening (Wth 0.75m; H 1.75m) in the wall. Three steps lead down to a short passage running E (L at S: 0.5m) to a circular well (diam. 0.95m; D 0.85m) with a corbelled roof that is now capped with concrete. There is no evidence of veneration.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cavan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1995). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of revision: 16 February 2020

References

IFC Schools' MSS: Irish Folklore Commission Schools' Manuscripts. Department of Folklore. University College, Dublin.

SMR file - Sites and monuments record files in the National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.