St. Bernards Well — Ballyallinan North

In pasture, in natural dip in W-facing slope. Circular pool of water (diam. 10m), enclosed by metal tubular railing set in concrete W-ESE. Five concrete steps, at SSW side, descending to well. Water is drained away through concrete pipe at NNW. Pool overhung by mature ash tree. According to Ó Danachair (1955, 204) well, devoted to St. Bernard, was visited in the 1950s on 20th of August, Good Friday and other days. Water said to cure lameness, sore eyes and rheumatism. Holy well standing 34m W of church ruins (LI029-056001-) and children's burial ground(LI029-056002-) described in 1840 as 'About thirty yards [27m] to the southwest of this building [LI029-056001-] is a well called Tobar Beinid, that is Beinid's Well, which is a strong spring with a large ash tree standing over it and is much frequented as is evident from the number of rags on the tree, being half covered with them. It cures sore eyes' (OSL, 62). The following folklore was recorded from Rathkeale National School about St. Bernard's Well ; 'St. Bernard's well, situated in the middle of a field on the South East of the passage leading to Ballyallinan Castle, about 2 1/2 miles South West of Rathkeale. This well has for patron St. Bernard. It is surrounded by white thorn trees' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0501, Page 031; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4922010/4918031). See attached photos taken in 1954 by Caoimhín Ó Danachair, courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F025.21.00335 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/31062; F025.21.00333 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/17043 and F025.21.00337 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/31064. See attached colour photographs courtesy of Amanda Clarke Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 1 October 2020