Holy well in Killyon

Situated in a clearing within deciduous woodland and at the bottom of a slight N-facing slope with the W-E River Deel c. 35m to the N. It is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, but John O'Donovan, writing in 1836, had little faith in this (Herity 2001, 82). It is a circular consolidated well (int. diam. 1.2m; D 1.1m) approached by steps from the W. It is surrounded by a paved walk (Wth 1.7m), a flower bed (Wth 1.7m) and a low wall and wire fence (diam. 8m). A statue of the Blessed Virgin in a shrine at the E edge of the path is the only evidence of veneration. It took on its present appearance in 1954 (French 2012, 46-7). Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 20 March, 2015

This holy well is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a common dedication in Irish holy wells linked to Marian devotion and fertility traditions. Local folklore often associates such wells with healing properties, particularly for women's ailments, and they were frequently visited on August 15th, the feast day of the Assumption.