Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

In a wooded area, at the base of a rock outcrop, to the SE of Loo Bridge. Spring water emerges from a fissure in the rock and forms a small irregularly shaped pool, which is the holy well. A small stream flows from the well to the NW along a stony path which accesses the well. Though called 'All Saints Well', St Finbarr is also associated with it and, according to local information, 'rounds' are made here on Good Friday. One cross-inscribed stone (KE076-015003-) lies in the well water while four others (KE076-015001-, KE076-015002-, KE076-015004-, KE076-015005-) are haphazardly placed adjacent to the well.
The ITA Survey of 1942 recorded the following details; 'St. Agatha is the Patron saint of the Parish and on her Feast Day, Feb. 5th every year, a pilgrimage is made to TOBAR NA NAOMH (Saint's Well) which is situated at the base of the mountain about 200 yards from Loo Bridge. The well is formed by a crevice in the rocks, and is about 2 ft. by 9 ins. across, and 4" deep. The imprint of a Saint's spectacles are said to be visible here and the story is that the Holy man dropped them while on his way to perform religious exercises at Gougane Beara. Rounds are around the base of the mountain during the Pilgrimage (SMR File).

See attached photographs of All Saint's Well, Co. Kerry, taken by Caoimhín Ó Danachair courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F025.18.00027 accessible online at https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/16771 & F025.18.00028 accessible online at https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/31357.

See attached colour photographs of cross-inscribed stone and holy well courtesy of Amanda Clarke.

Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork.

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 13 April 2022

References

Hickson, M.A. 1874 Selections from old Kerry records - vol. 2. London. Watson and Hazell.

Irish Tourist Association. Surveys undertaken in the 1940s for the Irish Tourist Association (now Fáilte Ireland) relating to ‘Natural features, antiquities, historic associations etc.' Extracts from these surveys were copied into the Topographical files of the Office of Public Works and these have been incorporated into the Sites and Monuments Record files (National Monuments Service).