Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Holy well dedicated to Aodh [Hugh] of Rahugh [Ráith Aodha] who is also patron of Killare Church (WM024-057----) and a church at Slieve League (DG090-004001-), Co. Donegal (Ó Riain 2011, 66). His principal feastday was commemorated on the 28th of February, but also celebrated on the 4th of May and 16th of November (ibid., 68). Situated on E facing slope of rising ground with church (WM038-041----) and graveyard (WM038-041001-) 190m to NW, early Christian cross-slab (WM038-039----) known locally as the ‘Headache Stone’ 300m to WNW. St. Hugh’s holy well which is still venerated and consists of a spring well (diam. 1m) now encased within a 20th century stone vaulted structure with steps leading down to well all of which is protected by a concrete wall with gate on E side. Cross on top of stone structure with votive offerings around base of cross which has an inscription that reads ‘St. Hugh’s Well Renovated by Members of Rahugh Muintir na Tire 1968’. In 1866 the following was recorded; ‘there is a well called Bishop Hugh’s Well; it is now closed up. It is on the old abbey grounds. Stations were performed there on the 2nd of November, and that day was always observed as a holiday by the people till about thirty-five years ago. There is still a tradition in a neighbourhood, that a person named Ranell, who rented the abbey lands from Lowes, having caused the tokens to be collected after a station, and to be thrown into the fire in his presence, as found dead in his chair before they were consumed’ (Cogan 1867, 522). The well was opened after this date for in 1896 it was recorded that ‘St. Hugh’s holy well-still flowing, still used, and still reverenced-is situated about 250 yards east of the church [WM038-041----]’ (Stokes 1896, 331).

Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien

Date of upload: 1 September 2014

References

Stokes, Rev. G.T. 1896 St. Hugh of Rahue: his church, his life, and his times. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 6, 325-335.

Cogan, Rev. A. 1862-70 Ecclesiastical history of the diocese of Meath: ancient and modern. (3 vols) Dublin: John Fowler, Joseph Dollard

Ó Riain, P. 2011 A dictionary of Irish Saints. Dublin. Four Courts Press.