Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated in the SW of graveyard (LI014-070002-). Ó Danachair (1955) describes the well as 'a sluggish spring, about 3 feet in diameter and 5 feet below ground level. Steps lead down to water.' The spring and the steps have been surrounded with a mortared stone wall and covered with a limestone flag lintel to create a roughly trapezoidal area (1.4m to 2.9m N-S; 2.8m E-W, H c. 0.5 - 1m). Coins are visible in the water. The Saint's Day is the 10th August and the water from the well is said to cure stomach disorders (ibid.).
In 1826 the site was described as following; 'In this Parish is a burying place (LI014-070002-), walled in, within which is the Parish Chapel [R.C. Chapel now levelled]. There are also ruins of an old Church (LI014-070001-) and in the midst of the graves a deep well, the water of which is supposed to be a specific for disorders in the bowels. Near this well is a spa [LI014-074----], which is said to be equally available for liver or scorbutic affectations' (Fitzgerald and McGregor 1826, 287-8).
Holy well described in 1840 as following; 'In the west side of the grave yard is St. Laurence's Well, with a stone flag over it and large ash tree growing near it. A Patron used to be held on the 10th of August, Saint Laurence's Day till about thirty years since [c. 1810]. His day is still kept as a holiday in the Parish. The Well is frequented on Saturdays' (OSL, 103-4).

Compiled by: Denis Power

Date of upload: 24 June 2013

References

OSL - Ordnance Survey Letters. Letters written by members of the Ordnance Survey's 'Topographical Department' (T. O'Conor, A. O'Curry, E. Curry, J. O'Donovan and P. O'Keeffe) sent to headquarters from the field (1834-41). MSS in Royal Irish Academy.

Fitzgerald, P. and McGregor, J.J. 1826 The history, topography and antiquities of the county and city of Limerick. Dublin.

Ó Danachair, C. 1955 The holy wells of Co. Limerick. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 193-217.