Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

In gentle depression of improved pasture, within the E angle of a field boundary (and at the convergence of three different field boundaries), and is in Co. Limerick, approx. 16m N of the county boundary. A natural spring (dims. 0.9m E-W; 0.75m N-S) defined by a low drystone wall (H 0.7m; T at base 0.75m; T at top 0.5m). The well is open (Wth 0.75m) to the W where a metal bar (long axis N-S) located 0.7m below the wall top is used to tie the walls together. There are three steps down into the well (D 0.55m) which is roofed by a D-shaped flat capstone (T 0.08m; H 1.6m above base of the well), which has split across the centre. On top of the capstone, within an arched metal covering which is open to the W and painted blue, there is a quern stone, painted white, two small statues of Our Lady, a cup, flowers in vases and a candle. Water flows downwards from the well to the SSE and into a neighbouring field which is flat and poorly drained. According to local information this well is known as 'Our Lady's Well' and is visited on the Feast of Our Lady, the 15th of August, by visitors from both sides of the county boundary and it was traditional to walk around the field five times saying the rosary and then take a drink from the well. According to Ó Danachair (1955, 206) the well moved when clothes were washed in it.
Folklore collected from Monard National Co. Tipperary recorded the following tradition about this holy well; 'There is a well in Ballylahiff locally known as Our Lady's Well. At one time it was in Mr. Ryan's land, and through ill usage it removed where it now is in Mr. Haye's Land. People from the district came and do rounds there on the Patronday 15th August. If you have faith and ask requests Our Lady will grant them when you have nine rounds given. The stream from the well is believed to cure, and is very well known' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0577, Page 218; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4922288/4867385/5053769?ChapterID=4922288).

See attached photos taken in 1954 by Caoimhín Ó Danachair, courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F025.21.00188 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/31132; F025.21.00185 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/16994 and F025.21.00186 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/31130.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 7 October 2020

References

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