Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Ritual site - holy well
Newtown (clonbeg Par.), County Tipperary South, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Newtown (clonbeg Par.)
- County
- Tipperary South
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- St. Johns Well
- Latest-edition OS map
- St. Johns Well
- Coordinates
- 52.41652, -8.18841
- SMR number
- TS073-009002-
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1790 "Composite: Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
In the SE angle of a graveyard, c. 40m E of a medieval church (TS073-009001-), towards the end of an E-facing slope of a natural hill with marshy ground to the N and S. According to the 2nd (1904) ed. OS 6-inch map this well is known as 'St. John's Well', however, an inscribed stone built into the side of the well bears the inscription 'St. Seona's Well'. The OS Name Books relate that this 'is a holy well dedicated to Saint John, stations are performed on the 23rd of every June which is called the pattern day of this well. Many sores and diseases are healed by the powerful effect of its waters' (O'Donovan et. al, 1840). According to Crawford (1909, 60) 'on a thorn overhanging the well are fixed numerous strips of rag, and cups are left near for the convenience of those drinking the water'. An ovoid well (dims. 1.2m x 1.65m) lined with rough stones. The water is deep (0.7m) and clear, with a pipe feeding from the NE side of the well into an adjacent pool. A thorn bush, 1.6m to the NE, is used as a rag bush and another younger tree, 3m to S and adjacent to a stagnant pool, also has rags attached.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 26 August 2011
References
Crawford, H.S. 1909 Some early monuments in the Glen of Aherlow. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 39, 62-9.
Nearby in the register
- Graveyardunder 1 mi
- Churchunder 1 mi
- Ringfort - rathunder 1 mi
- Enclosureunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.