What is recorded here

Indicated is a lost holy well dedicated to St Bridget, hidden beneath pasture near Clonfert. Bowman measured its small diameter and shallow depth in 1934, noting that people still paid rounds there on Sundays. The water has since vanished into drainage, leaving only a grassy slope and the memory of devotion behind the road.

In pasture, on S-facing slope on E side of road. Clonfert burial ground (14566) and church site (14410) across road c. 70m to W. Area drained, no visible surface trace of well. According to local information, well dedicated to St Bridget. Bowman (1934, 164) noted well ('diam. c. 1ft 4in, depth 2 feet') still in use and rounds paid on Sundays. He (ibid.) gave location of well incorrectly as 30 yards S of burial ground (14566) in field called 'the Church field'. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Linked to St. Brendan of Clonfert, the well is associated with traditional Celtic Christian pilgrimage and healing practices. Local folklore suggests the well was once used for ritual purification and the cure of eye ailments, common attributes of holy wells dedicated to Brendan.

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