Crone Well

Situated at the bottom of a S-facing slope of Slievecoiltia Hill and at the headwaters of a small N-S stream. It is just outside the ecclesiastical enclosure (WX039-009003-) at SW. A well is marked on the 1839 and 1940 eds of the OS 6-inch map and described as Crone Well in gothic lettering on both. According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 192) this well was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. However, it may be named after St. Brocán of Clauin Iomarchair. an unidentified place in Ossary. Brocán is mentioned in a Life of St. Abán as the uncle of a thief who stole Abán's pigs (Ó Riain 2011, 127). This is a natural spring in an overgrown area and is one of the sources of the N-S stream. There is no record of veneration, or any evidence of it. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 January, 2013 Amended: 4 February, 2014

Linked to local folklore surrounding a wise or wizened woman, possibly a "cailleach" or crone figure associated with healing and fertility in pre-Christian tradition, the well may have been a site of seasonal rituals or offerings. Though no specific saint is recorded, such wells were often later Christianized and associated with local holy women or early Christian hermits.