Kingstown Well

In pasture, at the base of a slope. An unenclosed spring well, covered with overgrowth, and with an ash tree growing out of it. In 1836 it was recorded that there was formerly a 'station' at the well on every Easter Sunday (OSL, 149) while in 1942-4 it was noted that there had been no pilgrimages in the memory of the oldest resident (ITA). There is a local tradition that St Patrick threw a stone from Toomour (SL040-140001-) and the spring rose from where it fell (pers. comm. M. A. Timoney). Also according to local information, c. 30 rounded stones (max. diam. c. 0.3m) from this well were built into the wall outside a public house in Knockoconor townland c. 1.3km to NW (pers. comm. M. A. Timoney). A stretch of the road known as Bothar an Corann (SL033-145----) is c. 40m to the SW. Another holy well called 'Tobernamulla' (SL040-133----) is c. 420m to NW. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008

Linked to Easter Sunday pilgrimage traditions, the well was historically visited for its supposed healing properties, particularly for ailments of the eyes and general purification. The presence of an ash tree, often associated with sacred sites in Irish folklore, may indicate its ancient pre-Christian significance, later incorporated into Christian practice.