Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

In a slight hollow in grassland, c. 500m SE of the Redemptorist Abbey of Esker. This natural spring well is known locally as ‘Dominic’s Well’. Little is known of its origin (Anon. 1982, 23), though it may date to the arrival of the Dominicans in Esker following the destruction of their priory (GA084-001014-) in Athenry in 1652 by Cromwellian soldiers (Pochin-Mould, 132). On inspection in October 1989, the well was covered by a modern concrete round-arched canopy and opened to the W. At the apex of the canopy a protruding keystone, with a Latin cross carved in relief, was dated 1930. A concrete stile was built in front of the well and immediately on its W side there was a large stone trough. The stile appeared to have formed the entrance to a small enclosure defined by a post and wire fence around the well. A concrete stand for a pump was also visible. Further works have since been carried out at the well and its environs and it is now a place pilgrimage for holy water in January (Nugent 2015, 38).

Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG and Anne-Julie Lafaye

1. Coleman, A. 1902. The ancient Dominican foundations in Ireland. Dundalk. William Tempest.

2. Nugent, L. 2015.‘Preserving an ancient practice: Farmer’s pilgrimage to blessing of the waters at St Dominic’s holy well at Esker’, Connacht Tribune (January 16,2015), 38. (Available at: https://connachttribune.ie/preserving-an-ancient-practice-at-st-dominics-holy-well-185/, accessed 18 January 2023).

3. Pochin-Mould, D. 1957 . The Irish Dominicans: The Friars Preachers in the History of Catholic Ireland.

Date of upload: 28 March 2023