Holy well in Bigwood

Situated on the summit of a hill known locally as 'The Hill of Mael' with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside in all directions. Cashel (WM003-008----) standing inside a large possible trivallate hillfort (overall diam. 370m E-W) with possible prehistoric field system (WM003-008002-) running across the hill and St Brigid's holy well (WM003-008003-) located below S summit of hilltop (Adams 1957, 45). Unable to locate holy well on the summit of the hill which was described in 1957 as 'the impressive Hill of Mael around the summit of which can be seen the embankment of a hillfort and which has St. Brigid's Well, reputed never to dry up (an it certainly kept running throughout the dry summer of 1955) just below it summit on the south side' (ibid.). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 24 January 2020

Linked to Saint Mael, a 6th-century Irish monk and hermit associated with hilltop retreats and pilgrimage sites. The well is traditionally visited for cures related to eye ailments and general well-being, with offerings of coins and ribbons left at the site as part of local custom.