Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

St Bretcha'a holy well was also known locally as 'St. Bretsha's well'. Described in 1958 as a 'muddy pool in a field fence dike about 100 yds. from Ballyboghill old church ruin (DU007-010----). No memory of devotions, but known to be a former holy well. The name is variously given as Braitsea, Braitsi, Braitsan and Breacan'(Ó Danachair 1958, 74). The location of the well is shown on a sketch map of the village (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0787, Page 363; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4428182/4384545/4443044). See attached sketch map of Ballyboghil village showing the location of St Bretcha's Well. According to the folklore collected from Ballyboghill School, there was; 'No tradition connected with St Bretcha's Well. A spring still' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0787, Page 363; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4428182/4384545).

See attached photos taken by Caoimhín Ó Danachair, courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F024.06.00277 accessible online at https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/46713 and F024.06.00278 accessible online at https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/46714.

Compiled by: Geraldine Stout

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 11 April 2023

References

Ó Danachair, C. 1958 The holy wells of county Dublin. Reportorium Novum 2, 68-87; 2, No. 2 The holy wells of County Dublin: A supplementary list, 233-5.