Spa Well — Spa

Marked as a spa well on the 1840 and 1923 eds. of the OS 6-inch map, and situated on a gentle N-facing slope at the junction of the Comeragh Mountains with the flood plain of the River Suir. Power (1952, 252) suggests that it was a holy well where patterns were held into the 19th century. The waters were taken medicinally in the 18th century (Smith 1774, 240-1), and at some time which Power (ibid 252) suggests was in 1593 under the mayoralty of William Stanley, a wellhouse was built around it. This was in use into the middle of the 20th century, and is described locally as a circular domed structure (int. diam. c. 4m) entered through a pointed doorway at N from the public road. A few steps led down to the floor where there was a hand-opereated pump, and there were stone benches around the wall. The wellhouse is now removed down to the foundations, apart from the N wall (Wth c. 1.2m; H c. 3m) with the blocked pointed doorway rendered in brick (Wth 1.05m; H 1.8m), and the wall is surmounted by a plaque inscribed 'Clonmel Spa'. Power, Rev. P. (1952) The placenames of the Decies. (second ed.) Cork University Press. Smith, C. (1746) The history of the town and county of Waterford. W. Wilson. Dublin. Compiled by: Michael Moore. Date of upload: 1st December, 2010.