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Indicated — Clonmeen South

Holy well

Why this matters

Linked to a tradition of friars, likely Franciscan, associated with the nearby Clonmeen Abbey; the well was a site of pilgrimage and healing, reflecting a common medieval practice of attributing curative properties to holy wells connected with religious orders.

What is recorded here

Known as Friars' well (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 345). No visible surface remains. Described by Carrigan as 'In the next field to the Abbey (Clonmeen), on the north, there was a holy well called 'Friar's Well', at which pilgrimages were formerly made in honour of some Saint now forgotten. The well is now, and has been for many years, dried up, in consequence of some act of profanation' (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 345). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007
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