Holy Well

In woodland, within small enclosure. Oval-shaped, clochán-type structure covers well; opening at S; concrete grotto on roof contains offerings. Runoff joins stream to SSE through lintelled channel; one of these possible grave slab. Concrete blocks set around base of structure. In occasional use. Coole abbey (CO036-01904-) to W; church (CO036-01902-) to SW. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Images provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/

Linked to Saint Gobnait, a 6th-century Irish saint associated with beekeeping and healing, the well may have been a site of pilgrimage for cures related to fertility and bee-related ailments. The clochán-type structure and offerings suggest a continuity of pre-Christian and Christian ritual practices at the site.