St. James Well — Churchfield

In undulating pasture, within a fenced off area (dims c. 8m N-S; 7m E-W) of a field, accessed by pathway (Wth 1.2m; L c. 24m) from the road. A semi-circular, sunken area (dims. Wth 0.97m; L 1.28m) defined by a relatively modern, stone-lined retaining wall (total int. H 2.4m) of roughly hewn stone. Wall of finely cut stone has been raised (H 2.03m at front; H 1.55m to rear) above ground level and forms a semi-circular arch above the well. A semi-circular ope in the rear wall allows a view into the well area. All stone appears to be bonded with cement based mortar on both the exterior and interior. There are four steps down into the well. The well water (D 0.45m) appears stagnant with moss on the surface. Stone projecting from the E side of the interior has a chain with a cup attached and a rectangular niche within the W side. There are religious memorabilia and flowers pushed between stones in the back of the well. There are rags on thorn trees immediately NW of the well. There is a low stone bench to the N of the well. According to a plaque at the entrance, 'local tradition claims that this well has curative properties for poor or failing eyesight and is dedicated to St. James'. The annual pattern day is the 25th of July and pilgrimages have also previously been undertaken on Saturdays (Seymour 1916, 154 and O' Flanagan 1930, 96). According to local folklore, O'Sullivan Beare and his henchmen quenched their thirst here before retiring to Rathvira fort. The well and pattern were restored in 1991 and the entrance erected in 1998 (Multeen Tourism and FÁS). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011