St. Ambroses Well

Situated at the bottom of a steep W-facing slope and c. 30m NW of the graveyard (WX046-018003-) in an area that has been quarried. A pattern was held at the well on an unknown date according to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 (Herity 2014, 140), although he thought the dedication unlikely. St. Ambrose was a well-connected Roman of the 4th century who became bishop of Milan in AD 374, and was renowned for his anti-Arian views. Support is given to O'Donovan's view in a document of 1408 where Thomas Fourneys, rector of Rathmore, Co. Meath (ME024-017001-), is also described as the chaplain of ‘the Blessed Mary of [Am]brosetoun, diocese of Ferns’ (Pers. Com. Conchubhar Ó Crualaoich, 05/05/2021). The church and well were probably dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. No trace of the well remains. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 19 August, 2013 Amended: 6 May 2021

St. Ambroses Well is associated with St. Ambrose, a 4th-century Christian bishop and Doctor of the Church, though local traditions may conflate this figure with a native saint or folk hero. The well was the site of a local pattern (festival), reflecting the common medieval practice of holding religious or communal celebrations at holy wells dedicated to saints.