What is recorded here

Ladys Well is a shallow spring in County Cork, Ireland, where local tradition claims mass was celebrated during Penal days. It sits beside a narrow stream, partly covered by a flat stone, with faded flowers and ferns still resting on top. People once walked rounds at both wells on three successive Sundays, keeping the water alive with prayer while authorities looked elsewhere.

One of two wells (CO072-028001-) on either side of narrow stream valley. Overgrown and inaccessible. Rarely used when visited by Hartnett (1939, 237); 'It is a shallow spring well, partly covered by a flat horizontal stone. There area few faded flowers and ferns laid on top of this'. Rounds were paid at both wells on three successive Sundays. Local tradition that mass was celebrated here in Penal days. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Images provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/

Linked to a local tradition of healing, the well may have been dedicated to a saint or local figure associated with water cures, though no specific name is recorded. Such wells were often sites of pilgrimage and offerings in earlier times, with water collected for sick or troubled individuals.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.