What is recorded here

St Patrick's Well in Caherbroder, County Galway, is a D-shaped spring enclosed by natural rock, sitting fourteen metres from a children's burial ground. The annual pilgrimage on August 15th suggests the water served life and death simultaneously, refreshing the living while hovering near the graves of the young. A bullaun stone associated with St Patrick lies two hundred metres away, completing a small landscape where patience, loss and renewal still move through the rock.

Some 14m to the SSE of a children's burial ground (GA128-032001-). Known locally as St Patrick's Well; on inspection in May 1986 the holy well consisted of a D-shaped spring well (2.2m N-S) enclosed by natural rock outcrop. A wall has subsequently been erected around it (see https://field-monuments.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/archaeology/field-monuments/childrens-graveyard). The annual pilgrimage was held on August 15th. A bullaun stone (GA128-031----), also associated with St Patrick, lies c. 190m to the WNW. Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of upload: 29 August 2019

Linked to St Patrick, the well is traditionally associated with healing and pilgrimage. Local folklore suggests it was visited for curing ailments, particularly those of the eyes, and was likely a site of early Christian devotion.

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