Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

At the base of a steep slope on the S bank of the Breagagh River, c. 300m WSW of Black Abbey Dominican friary (KK019-026021-) and c. 450m SW of St Canice’s Cathedral (KK019-026029-) which is N of the river. Known as St Canice’s well, though commonly called ‘Kenny’s well’ (Carrigan 1905, vol. 3, 190-91). In the mid-13th century, Geoffry de Tourville, Bishop of Ossory (1244-50), granted a conduit of water from this well to the friars of Black Abbey (ibid. 190). The bishop’s successor, Hugh of Glendalough (1251-60), gave the entire charge of the well to the same friars, who were also granted the field containing the well (ibid.). Carrigan (ibid. 190-91) quotes from Archdeacon Lynch’s De Praesulibus Hiberniae, compiled c. 1670, who describes how the well, ‘is visited by many for devotional purposes or to secure relief from various maladies. The well is situated at the base of a hill with a steep incline. Over it is an arched building, furnished on the inside with stone benches. A stream of water flows uninterruptedly therefrom into the adjacent Braegach river. Those who, labouring under any infirmity, come here to implore the intercession of St. Kenny, having drunk of the health-giving water of the holy well, and invoked the Divine help, have been very frequently restored to perfect health’.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 23 September 2020

References

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