Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Folklore collected from Ballymacelligott School recorded the following tradition: 'Faill Dearg (Red Cliff) well is in Nohoval in Richard Burkes land. Seaghan Taidhg Óig Linehan (1845 - 1910) saw rounds made there. So he told Tom Flynn's (born 1891) of "Baile Breathnach" - 20 years ago. These rounds were made before 1860. There is fine water in it second only to Curraheen (Tralee's water supply) in an Analysis test. Tom Flynn father (Maurice) say "Seán" never told him the well was Holy. He would have told him if it were. Tom Flynn is not sure whether "Seán" heard of or saw rounds made at the well. Thomas Burke (born 1883) who lives near, often heard of sick people sending for the water of the well as a cure' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0443, Page 064;https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4706340/4704133/4783814?ChapterID=4706340).
Holy well described by O'Hare (2000, 66) as; 'Faill Dearg is still identified locally as the cliff face which is visible on the acute road bend at the junction of the townlands of Glanageenty and Tooreen. The water, which is visible dripping from the reddish coloured cliff face, is still believed to have curative powers. The site however, is no longer visited'.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 29 April 2022

References

O'Hare, P. 2000 Holy wells and other sites of pilgrimage within a portion of East Kerry. Journal of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society 29, 55-98.