Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Circular stone-lined spring well (diam. 0.6m; D 0.3m) partially covered over with bog oak timbers which is still in use and known locally as 'Anne's Well', often referred to as the blessed Well. Bog oak timbers form part of the ritual carried out at the well. According to the landowner the local tradition is to take some water from the well along with a small piece or splinter of the bog oak timber. A large boulder was brought into the field recently to mark the site of the well, and an iron cross was erected about a year ago. Well was referred to as 'Tabararaan' in 1932 when the following description of the well was given; 'This well is very well known in the neighbourhood still. Every May Day it is the custom to visit it, and beads, pins, handkerchiefs, etc., are left at it. The people pray there and bless themselves with the water. The name of the saint associated with the well is not known. Until about 80 years ago, a large "Pattern" was held there annually, and visitors used even come down from Dublin to attend it. It is believed that many cures were effected at the well. An interesting incident is told about a certain man who once owned the field in which the well is situated. Thinking to prevent visits to the well, he closed it altogether. The next morning the whole field was flooded, and he was forced to open the well again; it was never again closed' (Anon 1933, 172). Today the well is visited on 30th of April by people in the locality who recite 1 Our Father and 3 Hail Mary's. The water for the well is believed to improve the general health of the person and is specifically resorted to for the relief of a headache or tootache.

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 19 June 2015

References

Anon. 1933 Holy Wells in Offaly. Béaloideas 4, 172.