St. Kierans Well — Clonagh

Spring well in an area of rock outcrop with Clonagh Church (LI028-066002-), graveyard (LI028-066003-) and ecclesiastical enclosure (LI028-066001-) 390m to NNE. Holy well dedicated to St. Ciarán of Clonmacnoise. In 1840 the well was described as following; 'In the same Townland is situated a Holy Well called after St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise in honor of whom a "Pattern" was annually held here on the 9th of September' (OSL, 48). Described by Ó Danachair (1955, 203) as following; 'A little spring in a cupola of rough masonry. A pattern was held on 9th Sept. (St Ciarán of Clonmacnoise). Rounds are still made and small objects left as offerings. Pebbles were used to count rounds. Water cures eyes. Water is sometimes taken from the well for domestic purposes. Legends: Clothes were washed and the well moved. The well supplied the monks at the nearby church [LI028-066002-]. A mysterious woman was seen praying at the well; a man who interrupted her died. An underground passage leads to the graveyard [LI028-066003-]; the last person buried must bring water for the dead until relieved by the next arrival'. The following folklore in 1934 was recorded from Coolcappa National School about St. Ciaran's well; 'St. Ciaran's well is situated on a height in a field in Clonagh. It is about two hundred yards from the road and beside the railway line between Rathkeale and Ardagh. About thirty yards from the well stands the ivy clad ruins of Clonagh old Church, Monastery and Cemetery. Local tradition says that there is an underground passage from the well to the Church, which was used in days gone by, by the monks and that it is used now by the dead in the cemetery. The last person who is buried ins supposed to be drawing water to all the dead, and is relieved of her duties when the next funeral arrives. The new arrival takes up the duty. A broken wall surrounds the well , which was built by Mr. Hartigan, father of the present owner of the well land. The well itself is covered with a hood of stone. In a niche near the top is placed a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the back of the well is a horse chestnut tree and several white thorn bushes. Three groups of the latter grow in pairs one left and right of the well, and the remaining pairs at the entrance. In the little stream running from the well is an elder tree growing amongst the white thorn bushes. In the S.E. of the well is a huge stone. This well is still called "Ciaran" with no reference to the saint. The pattern is held on September 9th People pay rounds on first Fridays and at any time for ailments. The rounds are paid from left to right. Seven stones are picked up to mark the seven rounds, and one Our Father and ten Hail Mary's said, for each round and a stone is dropped in front of the well until the seven rounds are paid. The water is considered efficacious to cure sore eyes, sore feet and to restore health by bathing the affected parts in it. No petition is granted unless the water is drank as a completion to the rounds. It is brought away by most people and applied to the affected part and drank for nine consecutive days. Local people use it to make tea and draw it away in buckets, but not in large quantities. In a little shelf in the wall of the well, the following offerings in completion of rounds may be seen:- medals, rags, laces, buttons, matches, pennies and beads. On the east wall of the well is a small picture of Our Lord being taken down from the cross. Local tradition says that the well removed about ten yards farther down in a N.E. direction, because a woman washed clothes in it and that the water would not boil afterwards. On the hill where the old well was supposed to be, is a large rock with a hollow in the centre and a path of uneven stones about 1 1/2 yards long and 20" wide. This is supposed to mark the former position of the stream from the well. No fish is seen in this well. Nothing is known of the antiquity of the pilgrimage and it is not known to have been suppressed' (The Schools’ Collection, 0525, Page 061; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4922014/4918231). See attached photos taken in 1954 by Caoimhín Ó Danachair, courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F025.21.00348 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/31053 and F025.21.00350 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/31054. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 30 September 2020