St. Bartholomews Well

Situated on low-lying ground at the E edge of the Blackwater estuary. A rectangular court (dims. 4.5m E-W; 2.5m N-S) defined by stone slabs can fill with sea-water when the tide comes in. The well is one source of a network of streams that meander off to join the Blackwater c. 1.6km to the NW. The well is a rectangular recess (Wth 0.7m; H 0.8m; D 0.4m) within the masonry wall at the E edge of the court. Patterns were held here on August 24th until 1812, according to J. O'Donovan writing c. 1840 (O’Flanagan 1929, 81). According to FitzGerald (1856, 42) there was a rag-tree present, which does not survive. The well might still be venerated as it is maintained, but no offerings are present. FitzGerald, E. (1856-7) Proceedings – “Jottings in archaeology”, JRSAI 4, 40-49, 289-91. O’Flanagan, M. (Compiler) (1929) Letters containing information relative to the antiquities of the county of Waterford collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1841. Typescript. Bray. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Waterford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 07 October 2011

St. Bartholomew's Well is associated with St. Bartholomew, one of the Twelve Apostles, traditionally linked to healing and skin ailments in Christian folklore. The tidal nature of the well reflects a common feature in holy wells, where the ebb and flow of water is seen as symbolic of purification and renewal.