Outlined

Holy well originally dedicated to St. Brigid but changed to St Matthew in the post 1700 period (Walsh 1957, 103). This holy well is depicted as 'Bridgets Well' on the 1654-59 Down Survey map of Kilmacnevan parish (NLI, MS 723-4). The terrier of this parish map recorded that there was 'a well in Belnacarroe Vulgarly called Holy Well or St. Bridgetts Well' (ibid.). The local folklore in the Schools' Collection (1937-1939) recorded that the 'local patron saint of this parish is Saint Mathew. In former years the patron saint was Saint Brigid and the time of the Normans they changed it to Saint Mathew. There is a well called after Saint Mathew and it is situated in Ballinacarrow and when the water is rubbed to the warts it is supposed to cure them. People also say prayers to Saint Mathew to get warts cured. The patron day is on the twenty first of September' (The Schools' Collection, Volume 0740, pages 043-044). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 8 June 2017

Originally dedicated to St. Brigid, the holy well at Ballynacarrow was later associated with St. Matthew, reflecting a common trend of name changes in the post-1700 period. It was recorded as 'Bridgets Well' on the 1654-59 Down Survey map, indicating its early Christian and folkloric significance.