Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

On W side of stream, immediately S of Colman's well graveyard (LI046-02303-). Spring well is in centre of circular area (diam. c. 10m) enclosed by hedge with recently erected gateways at NE and SE sides. Concrete path immediately inside and concentric with hedge, and area between path and well under lawn. Circular stone-lined well (diam. c. 0.8m) contains clear water. Over well is white-washed canopy surmounted by metal cross; opening faces W and before it is sunken area with concrete floor and steel-bar kneeling rest. Above well is wooden shelf containing recent religious pictures and statue of Madonna and Child. Well is clearly still in use and being maintained. According to Ó Danachair (1955, 205) 'rounds are made frequently, especially on the saint's day, 29th October'; described in 1840 (OSL vol. 2, 34) as 'much more frequented at this period (namely in October) than at any other'. Latter description also mentions a 'sallow tree ... twenty feet in circumference' which had 'numberless rags' tied to it (ibid.); this tree was gone by 1955 (Ó Danachair ibid.). Lewis (1837) noted that 'the peasantry of the surrounding country ... assemble here in great numbers on the anniversary of the saint, and at other times'; according to Ó Danachair (ibid.) 'the pattern was held up to about sixty years ago' (i.e. c. 1900).

Compiled by: Denis Power

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

References

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

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.

Lewis, S. 1837 A topographical dictionary of Ireland, 2 vols. London. Lewis and Co.