What is recorded here

Patrick struck the ground with his staff on the SW shore of Bridge Lough, and fresh water bubbled up into a 1.2m spring. People built a low rectangular wall around it and cut three sets of steps into opposite sides, turning a sudden miracle into a place for repeated prayer. The well still draws local devotion beside Kinvarra Bay, while another well named Patricks Well waits eighty metres to the W, as if Patrick had marked the same coast twice.

On the SW shore of Bridge Lough, a tidal lake opening into Kinvarra Bay to the E. This spring well (diam. 1.2m; D 0.67m) is associated with St Patrick ‘who struck the ground with his staff and fresh water bubbled up’ (Korff and O’Connell 1985, 27). It is surrounded by a low rectangular wall. Three sets of steps, one in the S wall and opposing sets in the W and E walls, lead to the water. It is still the focus of local devotion. Another well, also named ‘Patricks Well’ (GA112-047----), lies c. 80m to the W. Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of upload: 9 May 2023

Patricks Well is associated with St Patrick, who, according to local tradition, struck the ground with his staff to bring forth fresh water. The well is linked to the broader folklore of St Patrick’s travels and miracles in western Ireland.

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