What is recorded here

Holy Well in County Longford is a circular drystone basin at the base of a south-facing hillside, still spitting water into a small stream. It appeared on the Down Survey map of 1655-6 beside an elm tree, suggesting the water and shade formed one local sanctuary. People may have visited it for drinking, healing or prayer, while the elm marked the spot and the hillside kept the well company.

At the base of a S-facing hillside adjacent to an E–W valley floor. This well is depicted on the Down Survey (1655-6) map of Taghsheenode and Moydow parishes where it is annotated 'a well & Elme Tree' (NLI MS 719). It comprises a circular well (ext. diam. 2.7m) enclosed by a wall of roughly coursed drystone masonry (max. H 1.15m; Wth 0.62m) to which concrete has been applied in places. Water flowing from a small opening at SSW feeds a small stream. Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan Date of upload: 7 June 2013

Linked to St. Bridget (Brigid), the well is traditionally associated with cures for eye ailments and general healing. The presence of an elm tree in early maps suggests a possible pre-Christian sacred tree tradition incorporated into Christian practice.

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