What is recorded here

Half a kilometre from the last road, a rectangular hole in the mountain holds thirty centimetres of water beneath a white cross painted on rock. People walked this far on St John’s Eve because they believed the water could cure eye ailments. The well is small enough to overlook, yet the distance and darkness belonged to the visit.

In rough grazing land, at the base of outcropping rock, on the steep W-facing slopes of Maulin Mountain. The most westerly of a pair of two holy wells (see CO115-102002-) c. 50m apart and known locally as 'St John's wells'. A roughly rectangular well (0.65m E-W; 0.4m N-S) enclosed at N and S by an upright stone slab, at E by the base of the outcropping rock and at W by a rough stone. It contains water to a depth of 0.35m. A large white cross is painted on the rock above the well. According to local information, rounds were formerly made here on 22 and 23 June (St John's Eve and St John's Day) and the water was said to cure eye ailments. The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009 Images provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/

Linked to St John, the well is traditionally associated with healing and protection, with local folklore suggesting that water collected at dawn on St John's Day (24 June) was especially potent for curing ailments and ensuring good fortune. The site's location on a western slope, often exposed to the elements, may reflect ancient beliefs in the purifying power of wind and water.

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