Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Ritual site - holy well
Baile An Chnocáin (tc Cill Chuain), County Kerry, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Baile An Chnocáin (tc Cill Chuain)
- County
- Kerry
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- St. Brendans Well
- Latest-edition OS map
- St. Brendans Well
- Coordinates
- 52.23527, -10.25462
- SMR number
- KE034-047004-
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1790 "Composite: Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
National Monument No. 221. St. Brendan's Well/Tobar Bhréanainn: This lies a little to NW of the previous features and consists simply of a rectangular depression filled with water. Its curative powers were complemented by those of Leac an Droma, a stone which formerly stood on the cliff edge but which has now disappeared. Leaning against this provided relief from rheumatism and back-ache.
Ó Danachair (1960, 74-5) recorded the following details about St. Brendan's Well/Tobar Bhréanainn; 'A small well on the summit of Mount Brandon; close by are a ruined oratory, some heaps of stones which are " stations " and a pillar stone named Leac na nDrom. A pilgrimage is made to the mountain top on the 29th of June. Rounds are made about the well and the ruins nine circuits while reciting a rosary. The water is drunk and bottles of it are taken home to those who were unable to make the ascent. Pilgrims suffering from rheumatism and backache obtain relief by leaning against Leac na nDrom. Pins, coins or other small objects are left as offerings. Legends : The well is bottomless. Pilgrims often hear bells on the summit. On one occasion Saint Brendan, officiating on the summit, found that his missal had been forgotten; this was passed up from the mountain foot by the throng of pilgrims from hand to hand. A woman washed her feet in the well and it dried up; an aged and holy bishop was carried up the mountain in a chair to bless the well, and the water flowed again'.
See attached colour photograph courtesy of Amanda Clarke.
The above description is derived from J. Cuppage (compiler) 'Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey.' Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne (1986), no. 818. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload: 29 May 2013
References
Cuppage, J. 1986 Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne.
Ó Danachair, C. 1960 The Holy Wells of Corkaguiney, Co. Kerry. The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 67-78.
Nearby in the register
- Buildingunder 1 mi
- Cross-inscribed stoneunder 1 mi
- Churchunder 1 mi
- Enclosureunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.