Holy well in Dunganstown East

Situated on a gentle SW-facing slope. The well is contained within a concrete shore and covered by a manhole. It is named on the 1838 OS 6-inch map as 'St Kevin's Well'. The OS Letters state that a pattern was held here on the 24th of June until 1798. After this children only were washed in the well on that date. (O'Flanagan 1928, 123) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 December 2008

Linked to St Kevin, the well is associated with a tradition of healing and pilgrimage, as indicated by the pattern (festival) held there historically. St Kevin, a 6th-century monastic founder, is venerated in several Irish holy well traditions for his asceticism and miraculous powers.