Holy Well or Murragh Well

Funnel-shaped opening of earth and stone set into natural scarp, now partially collapsed. Visited in living memory, now disused. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Linked to Saint Murragh, an early Irish saint associated with healing and protection, the well was traditionally visited for its curative properties, particularly for ailments of the eyes and skin. Local tradition held that the waters had miraculous powers, and offerings or prayers were made at the site to invoke the saint’s intercession.