Burial mound

The National Monuments Service's description

St. Patrick's Bed or Leaba Phádraig stands on top of a hillock overlooking St Patrick's holy well (LI032-063003-) immediately to W. Church site (LI032-063001-) and graveyard (LI032-063002-) 30m to SW. Semi-circular shaped mound defined by a scarp and berm which is transected at S by a public road running roughly E-W. Stones protruding from the summit of the mound may be the remains of rock outcrop of of a possible structure. A tree and briars stands on the site of the protruding stones. St. Patrick's holy well (LI032-063003-) and St. Patrick's bed described by Ó Danachair (1955, 215) as following; 'The well is enclosed in a small rectangular structure of masonry; over the opening is a slab with I H S and two crude angel figures. Close by are two small ponds and a mound, called "St Patrick's Bed" on which a tree grows. Three other trees stand close to the well. Devotions are still practised, especially on St Patrick's Day. The pilgrims usually make nine rounds of the well and five of the "Bed" [LI032-063004-]; pebbles are used to tally the rounds. Water from the well and from each of the two ponds is drunk and carried away to be drunk at home. The water cures eye and stomach ailments and headaches; it is often brought to refresh those who are ill. Small religious objects, coins and flowers are left as offerings. Legends - Water from the well cannot boil. A fish was seen by people cured at the well. A woman who broke a branch from a tree by the well was reproved by a voice from the well. A man cut away portions of one of the trees; he was struck blind, but repented and was cured at the well. St Patrick'.
According to local tradition (information panel); 'St. Patrick is reputed to have slept on the hillock behind the well, sheltering under a tree. This is known as St. Patrick's Bed or Leaba Phádraig. For generations people took pieces of this tree away as souvenirs or 'relics'.

See attached ASI aerial photograph ASIAP - 304/31 taken 13/09/2002.

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 7 November 2022

References

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

ASIAP - Archaeological Survey of Ireland Aerial Photographs (c. 1996 - c. 2010).