Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Bishop Hugh's Well or Tobar Aidan is depicted on all editions of the OS 6-inch maps. Natural spring well located at base of S facing ridge in marshy area with view of Foyran Church (WM001-042----) and graveyard (WM001-042001-) 230m to WNW. Spring well with stream flowing out from to W which is partly enclosed by low stones set on edge some of which appear to be natural rock outcrop. Coins visible in base of well with thorn tree overhanging well the branches of which are festooned with rags and other votive offerings. Modern concrete well pump house located 17m to S.
In 1937-9 the following folklore about this holy well was recorded from Finnea National School;'There is another well at Foyran, Castletown Co Westmeath. It is called Bishop Hughes' Well and people come to it from far and near to get its water. We are told that Bishop Hughes was once called on a sick call up the mountains and on his way he lost the key of the tabernacle. He immediately set out to look for it but could not find it. He prayed all night and at day-break he found it. On thanking God and blessing the spot where he found it a spring sprung up. The Bishop told the people that anyone who drank the waters and believed in God that hey would get relief from any suffering they might have ('The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0719, Page 031; www.duchas.ie).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 30 January 2018

References

ASIAP - Archaeological Survey of Ireland Aerial Photographs (c. 1996 - c. 2010).