St Bernards Well

Named on 1842 OS 6-inch map; marked but not named on 1905 OS 6-inch map. In Fermoy, on S bank of River Blackwater; accessed by narrow alleyway S from Barnane Walk. Two adjacent open wells enclosed by stone wall, recently repaired. Northernmost well is oval and partially lined with concrete; access by two steps down on NE side. Southernmost well is rectangular, concrete-lined, water piped in from N well and out to river. No indication of current holy use. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Images provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/

Linked to St Bernard, the wells are traditionally associated with healing properties, particularly for ailments of the eyes and skin. Local folklore suggests that the water was once used in rituals involving nine holy wells, each visited on consecutive mornings and the water carried home in a clean vessel.