Patricks Well

St. Patrick's Well described in 1840 as a 'spring well of very good water with a small rivulet flowing from it' (OSNB, 787). On N-side of tertiary roadway. Roughly square, earth-cut opening (L 1.2m; D 0.65m) defined by stone wall and field boundary to N, small stone step in SE-corner and partially covered by flagstone (L 1m; Wth 1.1m; T 0.12m). According to local information, this is the original roadside well located on the grass verge. Water flows under the field boundary (Wth 0.75m) to N and into an open, rectangular area (dims. 1.3m NNW-SSE; 3.15m ENE-WSW; D 0.15m). This part of the well is stone-faced (H 0.65m) against the field boundary (H 1.4m) to S, is defined by stone kerbing (H 0.16m) to N and is connected to a concrete culvert (long-axis ENE-WSW; Wth 0.6m) to E and W. The water flows through this rectangular area very rapidly and exits the culvert to E. The SW-portion of this rectangular area is silted up. Within area of medieval settlement (LI024-072001-) of 'Pailis Greine' which includes: Church (LI024-072004-), graveyard (LI024-072005-), motte (LI024-072002-) and castle (LI024-072003-). Described by Ó Danachair (1955, 206) as 'a small well on the roadside … there are no devotions … used for domestic supply and cattle.' See attached photos taken in 1954 by Caoimhín Ó Danachair, courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F025.21.00388 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/24526 and F025.21.00387 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/17059.