St. Johns Well — Newtown (clonbeg Par.)

In the SE angle of a graveyard, c. 40m E of a medieval church (TS073-009001-), towards the end of an E-facing slope of a natural hill with marshy ground to the N and S. According to the 2nd (1904) ed. OS 6-inch map this well is known as 'St. John's Well', however, an inscribed stone built into the side of the well bears the inscription 'St. Seona's Well'. The OS Name Books relate that this 'is a holy well dedicated to Saint John, stations are performed on the 23rd of every June which is called the pattern day of this well. Many sores and diseases are healed by the powerful effect of its waters' (O'Donovan et. al, 1840). According to Crawford (1909, 60) 'on a thorn overhanging the well are fixed numerous strips of rag, and cups are left near for the convenience of those drinking the water'. An ovoid well (dims. 1.2m x 1.65m) lined with rough stones. The water is deep (0.7m) and clear, with a pipe feeding from the NE side of the well into an adjacent pool. A thorn bush, 1.6m to the NE, is used as a rag bush and another younger tree, 3m to S and adjacent to a stagnant pool, also has rags attached. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011