Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Ritual site - holy well
Kilcomin, County Offaly, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Kilcomin
- County
- Offaly
- Country
- Ireland
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- SMR number
- OF041-004003-
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
Early Christian monastery (OF041-004001-) founded by St Cuimín in the seventh century (Cooke 1875, 209-14). Kilcomin [Ceall Chuimín/Cill Chuimín/church of Cuimín] named after Cuimín Fada [long] a seventh century saint who was born in the territory of Caoille Conaill, located between Rathfran bay and Lacken Bay, in the barony of Tirawley, Co. Mayo where his family operated a school (Ó Riain 2011, 245). The Ordnance Survey Letters of 1838 identified Kilcommon old churchyard with ‘Disert Chuimin’ which was located close to the borders of Leinster and Munster (Herity 2008, 182). In 1875 Cooke (1875, 213) recorded that the ancient bell of St Cuimín now located in the British Museum was preserved in the parish of Kilcomin ‘up to thirty or forty years ago’. According to local tradition the ancient bell was found in a ‘well close to the ruins of Kilcommon church’ (Cooke 1875, 213).
Situated on a natural rise of ground overlooking river to the E. Located in the centre of the graveyard (OF041-004002-) are the poorly preserved remains of a rectangular church (OF041-004----). Three large grass covered flagstones in the W sector of the graveyard are marked on the OS 6-inch map as 'St. Cuimin's Seat' (OF041-004004-). Early Christian cross inscribed slab (OF041-004006-) located close to SE corner of graveyard. No surface trace visible of any holy well in the fields to the W of the graveyard. The Ordnance Survey Letters of 1838 recorded the tradition that St Cuimín 'was wont to frequent a well, which lies in Cnocan Ruadh about 20 perches to the West of the Church-yard. This well is not, however, called after his name' (Herity 2008, 183).
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload: 12 June 2014
References
Cooke, T.L. 1875 The early history of the town of Birr. Dublin. Robertson.
ASIAP - Archaeological Survey of Ireland Aerial Photographs (c. 1996 - c. 2010).
Ó Riain, P. 2011 A dictionary of Irish Saints. Dublin. Four Courts Press.
Herity, M. (ed.) 2008 Ordnance Survey Letters Offaly. Dublin. Four Masters Press.