Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated c. 600m W of Templeboodin Church (WI010-011001-) and now covered by Blessington Reservoir. Omurethi (1906, 203) mentions that the water was used for drinking and for rubbing on sore limbs, and that small stones near the well were rubbed on teeth as cures for toothaches. Water taken from the well for cooking would not boil. The water from the well is pumped to a point above the reservoir.
According to Lynch (1994, 643-4) there is a holy well known as ‘St Boden’s Well’ in the townland of Lackan that is mentioned in the 1930s Irish Folklore Commission, Schools Manuscript Collection (IFC S 913: 131/138/175-8; IFC S 914: 331/538; IFC S 915: 185-193; IFC S 917: 24/29; IFC 468: 64-7; IFC 972: 543). The folklore manuscripts recorded that ‘this well was frequented by people seeking cures and offerings were left by supplicants. There was a lone whitethorn bush near the well. Prohibition against using the water for household purposes. Two fish lived in the well and it was said that the fish would escape and the well would lose its power under Poulaphouca Lake’ (Lynch 1994, 643-4).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 23 January 2013

References

Lynch, G. 1994 The holy wells of county Wicklow: traditions and legends. In K. Hannigan and W. Nolan (eds), Wicklow history and society, 625-48. Dublin. Geography Publications.

Omurethi 1906 Father Germaine's well at Lackan, parish of Boystown (alias Baltyboys), in the county Wicklow. Journal of the Kildare Archaeological Society 5, 203-4.