Bullaun stone

The National Monuments Service's description

Access from footpath at gate lodge to Milverton Hall, located 115m NE of medieval church (DU005-024001-) and graveyard (DU005-024004-) associated with St Mobhi's monastery (DU005-024003-). Located within ecclesiastical enclosure which has been defined by geophysical survey (Nicholls 2003). St Mobhi's holy well (DU005-024002-) enclosed and covered by an impressive horse-shoe-shaped cairn of large boulders. Approached from steps in the E. Bullaun inset into N wall of holy well. The following folklore was collected from Milverton School about the holy well and bullaun stone; 'St Mauvee's Well is situated nearly three miles west of Skerries on Milverton Demesne. The well is situated in a grotto about fifty yards from the ruins of the old church and to the rear of it. It is approached by a flight of steps which are well preserved and which descend to a depth of eight or ten feet. There is a mound of stones at the head of the well and judging by their setting and appearance these were the setting for a statue until recent years. There is a hollow stone like a Holy Water font set in the wall about four feet over the level of the well itself. The water which is contained in this hollow stone is supposed to contain a cure. Strangers when visiting the well often emptied the hollow stone and returned after a short time to find that the hollow had again refilled' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0784, Pages 121-2;https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4498263/4383600).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 11 April 2023