Holy well in Fassaroe

Unlocated holy well within the townland of Fassaroe. According to Lynch (1994, 642) there is a holy well known as ‘St Vallery’s Well’ in the townland of Fassaroe that is mentioned in the 1930s Irish Folklore Commission, Schools Manuscript Collection (IFC S 468: 70). This well was frequented for cures and offerings were left at the well (Lynch 1994, 642). Described in 1844, as a holy well located on the grounds of St. Valery which was then the residence of Judge Crampton. The water of this well was reputed to cure all ailments (O’Malley 1844, 25) and close to the well there was a ‘bush, stuck over with votive offerings to the saint who was reputed to preside over this spot’ (O’Malley 1844, 25). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 22 January 2013

Linked to St. Vallery, the well is associated with healing traditions and was recorded in the 1930s Irish Folklore Commission as a site of local veneration. St. Vallery is a lesser-known Irish saint, traditionally connected with several holy wells in the region of Laois and Kilkenny.