Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

In the small valley between the two hills, the whole being encompassed by Killamery graveyard (KK030-008010-). The holy well is 13m S of the high cross (KK030-008004-) and c. 50m NW of the ruined medieval church (KK030-008003-). It is dedicated to St Nicholas whose feast day is celebrated on the 6th of December, the same date as the feast day of St Gobán Fionn who is attributed with founding a monastery here early in the 7th century (Carrigan 1905, vol. 4, 311-2). Of the monastic site only a high cross (KK030-008004-), two cross-slabs (KK030-008005-; KK030-008011-), a stone cross (KK030-008013-), the remains of a church (KK030-008003-) and two bullaun stones (KK030-008006-; KK030-008008-) are currently visible within the graveyard.
The holy well (dims. 0.96m N-S; 0.66m E-W; D of water 0.2m) is defined by boulders, with a large round-topped upright boulder (H 1.2m; Wth 1.05m; T 0.53m) dominating the E side, which has been carved on the W face, forming a projecting triangular pediment over the carved rectangular entrance (Wth 0.53m; H 0.4m; D 0.34m) to the spring. According to Carrigan (ibid., 315), the pediment represents the hill of Calvary and was, or was intended to be, surmounted by a cross.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 2 August 2017

References

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