St. Davids Well — Ballinlaban

Described in 1977 as a natural spring well dedicated to St. David, that is covered by a small rectangular stone built structure (int. dims. 1,73m E-W x 1.63m N-S; wall T 0.51m). The structure is built of rough rubble stones bonded with a rough mortar, no cut dressed stone visible. There is a small pointed doorway (Wth 0.75m; H 1.69m) in the NW corner leading down four small steps giving access to the spring well. The structure is now roofless but appears to have been roofed originally. There is a small flat stone projecting from the inside of the W wall just inside the doorway and on this have been placed some coins dating from 1918-1971. The structure is slightly covered in vegetation and is overshadowed by a large ash tree on its E side. The water from the well flows out under the W wall and into a drain to the S. In 1862, Reverend Cogan (1867, 497) recorded that there was a holy well dedicated to St. David in Ballinlaban, ‘which is still much frequented’. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 28 March 2013