What is recorded here
No visible water remains at the exact spot, yet the rule survived: drink or wash before breakfast for three consecutive mornings, tie a rag to the nearby sceach, and trust the departure of the sore eye. That much of the ritual moved from one ditch edge to another suggests the well was never merely a hole in the ground. It was a living bargain, remembered through the body rather than written down.
According to Lyng (1959,23-8), 'To the east [of Grangefertagh], at BLEST WELL (T.9) OF 'ST.ELEGAN' alias 'ST.ULEKAN' (10), at which you may cure a sore eye if you visit the well, before breakfast;on three consecutive mornings. You may tie a piece of rag on the nearby sceach to complete the ritual. The cure and the ritual were at some period tranferred from TOBAR-NA-SUL (T. 10), which is at the other side of the road in the adjoining townland of Monenamuck (11)'. On Lyng's accompanying map the location given for the holy well is in fact a lime kiln. The precise location of the holy well is unknown.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 5 October 2018
The holy well is associated with Saint Elegan (or St. Ulekan), a lesser-known early Irish saint, and is traditionally visited for the cure of sore eyes. The practice involved visiting the well before breakfast on three consecutive mornings, reflecting common early Christian and folk healing rituals in Ireland.
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
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European ashEuropean ash · 12 mi