What is recorded here

Ladys Well in County Limerick is a holy well where local tradition claims people once sought relief for sore eyes. O'Donovan recorded in 1840 that the circular stone wall still stood and that the fifteenth of August pattern was partly continued. A rag tree nearby suggests visitors may have tied cloth to the branches, marking personal prayers or thanks in a language older than writing. The well remains set into a grassy rectangle beside the road, waiting for that same human gesture of hope.

On N side of public road. Rectangular area in grass (12m N-S; 16m E-W) enclosed by hedging on W, N, and E sides by low wall with railing on S side. Well is located midway along S wall. Well is enclosed by 2m high circular stone wall (diam. c. 2.8m); access to well via segmental arched opening on S side of wall with steps down to well head. Well head enclosed by elliptical plastered wall (1.5m N-S; 2m E-W; 1m deep) with shrines on ledge on N side of well. According to local tradition parish church of Rathcahill (LI044-133---) was located across the road from the well. O'Donovan in 1840 (OSL vol. 2, 10) noted the circular stone wall and said that pattern was held here on 15th August, which was 'still partly continued'; according to Ó Danachair (1955, 211-2) well reputed to cure sore eyes and had a rag tree. See attached colour photographs courtesy of Amanda Clarke Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011

Linked to a local tradition of healing, Ladys Well is associated with a female saint or local figure, common in Irish holy well lore where such sites were believed to offer cures for ailments, particularly women's health issues. The well's enclosure and positioning suggest its continued reverence, though specific historical records of its dedication or rituals are not well documented.

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