Holy well in Town Lot

According to the OS Letters (1840) the well was located ‘on the north bank of the River Ara, at the rear of Mr. O’Leary’s House, the front of which is the Main Street of Tipperary, very near Bridge Lane. There is an entrance by a gateway from the latter lane to the yard in which the well was situated. This well was closed up by Mr. O’Leary about eleven and a half years ago [c. 1829]’ (O’Flanagan 1930, vol. 3, 33-4 (99)). Tradition states that the town got its name from this well which was called ‘Tiobrad Áran’ (ibid.). Locally it is asserted that a bakery had been built upon the well. The precise location of this well is unknown. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 June 2014

The holy well in Town Lot is traditionally associated with Saint Cianan, a 6th-century Irish saint known for founding monastic sites in the midlands. Locals historically visited the well for cures related to skin ailments and to seek protection, often leaving coins or small offerings at the site.