Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

In a small valley surrounded by gently rising land, in pasture. According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 2, 101), there was a church (KK005-063001-) enclosed by a graveyard (KK005-063003-) within Finnan townland, which were levelled c. 1850 by a Mr. Hendricken. He goes on to write that, “Tubber-Finnawn,” Saint Finnan’s holy well, now better known as the “Monastery Well,” is at the north side of the fence made by Mr. Hendricken, but within the circuit of the ancient enclosure. Pilgrimages were made at it till about 1800, when they were discontinued’. The holy well is not indicated on the 6-inch or 25-inch editions of the OS maps. The landowner, who referred to the field as the 'monastery field', was not aware of the tradition that this was a holy well. The well, which is visible as a circular pool, has fenced off. Contrary to Carrigan's description the well is SW of the field boundary which runs roughly NW-SE through the 'monastery'.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of revised upload: 30 April 2018

References

Carrigan, Rev. W. 1905 (Reprint 1981) The history and antiquities of the diocese of Ossory, 4 vols. Kilkenny. Roberts Books and Wellbrook Press.