Holy well in Killarecastle

Spring well now contained within modern concrete pump house may mark the location of one of three holy wells recorded by Colgan in the 17th century. St. Brigid’s holy well (WM024-054002-), St. Brigid’s Church (WM024-054001-) and a building (WM024-054003-) which may have been known in the 17th century as the Court of St. Brigid are located 90m to NW. A possible third holy well (WM024-054004-) lies in the field 78m to NNE. Writing in the 17th century, Franciscan friar, John Colgan recorded that ‘there was also three fountains or wells, the water of which uniting miraculously together turned a neighbouring mill. One of the wells was dedicated to St. Aedh, the second to St. Brigid, and the third very probably to St. Conran [Cuman]’ (Woods 1907, 249). According to Colgan one of these wells was also called 'Tobur na b-fear' or the Men's Well' (Plummer 1910, xvii). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 28 July 2014

Linked to St. Brigid, the well is associated with traditional cures for eye ailments and general healing. It is one of several holy sites connected to the saint in the region, reflecting her widespread veneration in early Christian Ireland.