Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Holy well located immediately N of Tullabracky Castle (LI031-078----) with Tullabracky church (LI031-077001-) and graveyard (LI031-077002-) 180m to N. Holy Well described in 1840 as following; ‘at a very short distance southward of the old Church, close to the house of Mr. Maloney, there is a holy well called by the people variously Tobar Mullana, Tobar Mhlunna, and in English Blunny's Well, Mullany's Well and Lunny's Well. The Saint to whom it is dedicated is called Mullana Naomhtha, and in English Blunny; some say that Blunny Maruainigh is the Saint's name. He is believed to have been the founder of the Church (called by some Friary) of Tullabracky. Over the side of this well there is a rocky stone, having on the side facing the well two incisions, traditionally believed to be the impressions of the Saint's knees while at prayer. The people state that there was formerly a "Pattern" here, but the day is not remembered; the well is still however, though seldom, visited for the cure of various diseases. The name of the Patron Saint of this well does not resemble the name of any Saint given in the Irish Calendar; the nearest to it is Mlubhnáin Liaigh, whose festival fell on the 29th March' (OSL vol. 2, 34).
Well described by Ó Danachair (1955, 210) as following; "Lunny's Well" local name. Not named on maps. A clear strong spring issuing from a rock said to bear the print of the saint's knees. Now enclosed and pumped way for domestic supply. No devotions now, but the water is said to cure ailments. OSL gives various names Tobar Mullana, Tobar Ailiunna, Blunny's Well, Mullany's Well and Lunny's Well. "He is believed to be the founder of the church of Tullabracky". OSL. "Parish Church of Tillibreaka. It is a prebend, and dedicated to St Molan, 5th day of May". White's List, in Lenihan, Limerick, p. 560. "The people state that there was formerly a pattern here but the day is not remembered'.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 12 March 2019

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.

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