Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

In undulating pasture, on a level marshy area. The site of a well is indicated on the 1897 OS 6-inch map, c. 40m SE of Lough Mackeenlaun. There are no visible remains of a well at this location. The lake, which has been drained, has become a marshy area. O'Brien (1970, 22-3) recorded that according to local information 'the lake was the well'. According to local information, the lake was a major pilgrimage site, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries and pilgrims took water from it. 'Rounds' which have been revived in recent years, take place here annually on the 7/8 July. Two cross-inscribed stones (KE108-004002-, KE108-004003-) and the remains of a hermitage (KE108-003----) lie immediately to the E of the lake.

See attached colour photograph courtesy of Amanda Clarke.

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

O'Brien, D.M. 1970 A list of some archaeological sites on the Berehaven Peninsula. Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society 75, 12-24.