Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Ó Danachair (1955, 202) recorded the following details about this holy well; ‘Mary Magdalene's Well on 1840 map. In a grove of whitethorn bushes. A masonry cupola over the well has a niche for a life-size statue of the saint. Rounds still made, especially on the feast day (22nd July). Flowers and candles are left at the well'.
The following folklore was recorded from Monaleen National School about Mary Magdalene's Well; 'St. Mary Magdalen's is situated in Kilbane near the Groody. There is the remains of an old churchyard quite near it. Rounds are made there on 22nd July, the feast of Mary Magdalen. The legend connected with this well is that while some men were haymaking at the spot, they stuck their wooden forks into the ground and went away. When they returned they found the fork grown into a tree which still shelters the well. The water was supposed to cure ailments of the stomach' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0524, Page 127; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4922098/4852218/4947111).

See attached photos taken in 1954 by Caoimhín Ó Danachair, courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F025.21.00410 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/17066 and F025.21.00411 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/31031.

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 2 October 2020

References

Ó Danachair, C. 1955 The Holy Wells of County Limerick Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 85, 193-217