What is recorded here

Desart Well in County Kilkenny belongs to St. Feichin and still gives water after moving from his church at Cill-Feichin. Carrigan said profanation drove it out, so it reappeared half a mile south-west in Riesk. The well did not disappear when wronged; it left, travelled through earth and reappeared where it could still be clean. That is either legend or a strange lesson about boundary, dignity and the patience of living water.

According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 389-90) St. Feichin’s holy well, ‘was formerly beside his church of Cill-Feichin [KK022-021001-], but it removed thence, owing to some act of profanation, and broke out again about a half a mile to the south-west in the townland of Riesk, where it is now generally known as “Desart Well.”’. The precise location of the original position of this well, and the subsequent position (KK022-048----), are unknown. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 24 May 2021

St. Feichin’s holy well is associated with the early Christian saint Feichin of Fore, known for his asceticism and healing miracles. The well was traditionally believed to have curative properties, particularly for eye ailments, and was moved from its original location near Cill-Feichin after an act of profanation, according to local tradition and historical accounts.

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