Why this matters
Linked to St. Brendan of Clonfert, the well is associated with traditional Celtic Christian pilgrimage and healing practices. Local folklore suggests the well was once used for ritual purification and the cure of eye ailments, common attributes of holy wells dedicated to Brendan.
What is recorded here
In pasture, on S-facing slope on E side of road. Clonfert burial ground (14566) and church site (14410) across road c. 70m to W. Area drained, no visible surface trace of well. According to local information, well dedicated to St Bridget. Bowman (1934, 164) noted well ('diam. c. 1ft 4in, depth 2 feet') still in use and rounds paid on Sundays. He (ibid.) gave location of well incorrectly as 30 yards S of burial ground (14566) in field called 'the Church field'.
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009
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