What is recorded here

St Bretcha's holy well is a muddy pool in a field fence dike about 100 yards from Ballyboghill old church ruin. People still called it St. Bretsha's well, though no one remembered prayers or rituals beside it. The water kept flowing through forgetfulness, proving that holiness can survive the loss of every human witness.

St Bretcha'a holy well was also known locally as 'St. Bretsha's well'. Described in 1958 as a 'muddy pool in a field fence dike about 100 yds. from Ballyboghill old church ruin (DU007-010----). No memory of devotions, but known to be a former holy well. The name is variously given as Braitsea, Braitsi, Braitsan and Breacan'(Ó Danachair 1958, 74). The location of the well is shown on a sketch map of the village (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0787, Page 363; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4428182/4384545/4443044). See attached sketch map of Ballyboghil village showing the location of St Bretcha's Well. According to the folklore collected from Ballyboghill School, there was; 'No tradition connected with St Bretcha's Well. A spring still' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0787, Page 363; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4428182/4384545). See attached photos taken by Caoimhín Ó Danachair, courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F024.06.00277 accessible online at https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/46713 and F024.06.00278 accessible online at https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/46714. Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 11 April 2023

St. Bretcha (or Bretsha) is associated with this holy well, traditionally believed to have healing properties, though specific cures or rituals linked to the site are not recorded. The well's connection to the nearby ruined church suggests a long-standing, if now forgotten, devotional tradition in the area.

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