What is recorded here
St Ruadhan's Well stood in a fence at the centre of a large Shanballymore field, close enough to Templeroan Church for prayer and memory to move between them. It is no longer visible, but the shape of the place still suggests water, devotion and the quiet patience of a holy well buried beneath ordinary ground.
According to O'Reilly (1987, 130), there was a holy well in Shanballymore in the centre of a fence in a large field near 'the old Church of Templeroan, named St Ruadhan's Well'. Templeroan Church (14409) is in the townland of Clogher Demesne c. 650m to W of Shanballymore. Well not located.
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 Ruadhan, the well is associated with healing traditions and may have been a site of pilgrimage. St Ruadhan was a 6th-century Irish saint known for his monastic foundation at Rosserk, and holy wells dedicated to him often feature rituals for physical or spiritual healing.
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
Places near here
Ruane Castle (Site of)Castle, unclassified · 293 yd
Cist in Shanballymore UpperCist · 610 yd
Church of Christ the Kingchurch/chapel · 731 yd
Templeroan Church (in Ruins)Church · 1252 yd
Shanballymore Castle (Site of)Castle, unclassified · 1403 yd
Horse Field WoodForest · 1.6 mi
North Meadow WoodForest · 1.8 mi
Anne's Grove GardensHeritage attraction · 1.9 mi
Coolfree MountainMountain / peak · 5.0 mi