Holy well in Noughaval

Natural spring well depicted on OS 25-inch map in area immediately NW of Noughaval graveyard (WM016-012001-) which may be the remains of a holy well dedicated to St Finnian. The existence of this holy well located 'just outside Noughaval cemetery' is recorded in the Schools' Collection manuscript compiled by the Irish Folklore Commission for this area (SMR File). In 1937-8 the following folklore about Noughaval holy well was recorded from Tang National School; 'Holy wells were visited by a great number of people to obtain relief from their ailments. Whatever their ailments were they could obtain relief from them at holy wells. There was another at Noughaval a half mile east of Tang School in Mr. Stanley's field. The person afflicted with any disease left a pin or a button or any such article by the well side. When they left the button behind by the well this was supposed to leave their disease behind by the well side. People seeking to be cured at the holy wells did what was known as stations' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0746, Page 544-5; www.duchas.ie). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 1 October 2014

linked to St Finnian, a 6th-century Irish monk and founder of Clonard Abbey, known for his role in early Christian education in Ireland. The well may have been used for healing or baptismal rites, as was common with holy wells associated with early saints.