What is recorded here

St Bridget's Well, called the Castle Well, lay southwest of the Kilbreedy church, nearly opposite the castle door. People walked pilgrimages to its water and held patterns there until a century ago, yet summer heat or some forgotten act of desecration could drain it, while winter returned it as a powerful spring. The well still belongs to the land, remembering the lives that drank from it and the stories they carried home.

St Bridget's Well, known as the castle well, lay to SW of church (LA028-035), nearly oppsite Kilbreedy Castle (LA028-0460. Unlocated holy well within townland described by Carrigan as 'About 50 yards north of the church, beside the public road, there stood till 1893, the foundations of an ancient building, 12 ft. square, which the people used to call 'the Belfry'. St. Bridget's holy well, now 'the Castle Well' is southwest of the church, neary opposite the door of Kilbreedy Castle. Patterns were held at the well till a century ago, and pilgrimages till much later. In summer time it generally runs dry, owing to some act of desecration; in winter it is a powerful spring' (Carrigan 1905, 60). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Linked to St Brigid, the well was traditionally associated with healing and fertility, with pilgrims visiting to collect water for blessings or to bathe in for physical or spiritual cure. The proximity to Kilbreedy Castle suggests a possible historical connection between the local gentry and the veneration of the saint.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.