Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Holy well named after St. Bigseach (Bhiscí / Little Lady) the sixth century saint and foundress of Kilbixy Monastery (WM011-040----). Situated in wet poorly drained land, townland boundary with Kilbixy 100m to W. Kilbixy monastery (WM011-040---) lies 650m to NW, St Bridget's Holy Well (WM011-038----) and the deserted medieval settlement (WM011-037----) of Kilbixy lies 650m to WNW. Holy well described by Bradley (1985, 110) as follows; 'The ground here is marshy and the well is marked by a wooden sign and thorn bushes on which two rags were tied at the time of our visit. There are indications of a stone surround but it is largely obliterated through its use by cattle as a drinking hole'. The following folklore appears to give an account about the origins of the well and it curative powers. In 1938 folklore collected from Corry School by Jennie Masterson of Crumlin or Rockfield, pupil aged 14, collected from her Father Patrick Masterson then aged 54 the following story;
‘There is a well in Communstown [Cumminstown] called Bixie well, it moved and came to the parson's field in Kilbixy. It can cure Rheumatism, sciatica, and growing pains, and for people with sore eyes. You can see that well is on the top of a hill in a little mound. You can go any day there, and when you take water out of it, you are to hand a piece of rag on the side of this well’ (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0741, Page 320; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5009103/4986973/5122582)

See attached Google Earth orthoimage taken 25/04/2021 showing the location of this holy well

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 20 October 2022

References

Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H. 1985 Urban archaeological survey - county Westmeath. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.