Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

In a wooded area c. 30m E of St Peter's Well (KE094-001001-). This well, which according to Capt. D. B. O'Connell is dedicated to St Paul (KAS), is situated at the E edge of a roughly oval area (diam. c. 80m E-W) which is enclosed by an earthen bank and accessed by a gate at W. Inside the enclosing bank is a path around which pilgrims to the well walk while making the 'rounds'. The well is at the E edge of this path. Water flows from the base of a N-facing, moss-covered stone wall, which is flanked to the E and W by outcropping rock. This forms an irregular-shaped well (1m N-S; 0.65m E-W; D 0.15m) from which water flows downslope to the N. A statue stands on the outcropping rock on the W side of the well. Nearby, a cross and statue are housed within a purpose-built shelter. 'Rounds' continue to be made here on 28/29 June. St Peter's well is the first station and St Paul's well is the second station visited during the 'rounds' (Anon. 1985, 15).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 30 May 2011

References

Anon. 1985 St Peter's and Paul's well. Kilgarvan Observer 2, 15.

KAS Kerry Archaeological Survey: Misc. field notes, index cards and annotated OS maps in Department of Archaeology, UCC.