St. Menaghans Wells

One of two holy wells (WM035-003002-) dedicated to St. Manchán (Managhan/Menaghan/Moynaghan) of Lemanaghan (OF015-004003-). In the parish of Kilcleagh the feastday of St. Manchán was remembered on the 29th of September (Ó Riain 2011, 429). No surface remains visible of holy well depicted as 'St. Menaghans Wells' on the 1910 ed. OS 25-inch map where this well is shown standing outside the graveyard (WM035-003001-) wall on the S side. Second holy well (WM035-003002-) depicted standing inside the graveyard 30m to N. On the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map both holy wells are depicted standing outside the graveyard (WM035-003001-) area which is indicated with a dotted outlined. In 1982 the Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) recorded that ‘no trace of this survives either. However there is a depression in the field surface which appears to indicate the presence of a covered in stream or drain roughly in the area where the well is marked’ (SMR File 30/03/1982). An earlier ASI report from 1979 recorded that ‘a shallow depression running WNW-ESE across the field crosses the spot marked, this is part of an old field system' (SMR File 15/03/1979). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 05 August 2014

St. Menaghans Wells are associated with St. Manchán, a 7th-century Irish saint known for his healing miracles, particularly for curing eye ailments and skin diseases. The wells are linked to the broader tradition of holy wells dedicated to him across Munster, often visited on his feast day, September 29th, for prayer and ritual cleansing.