What is recorded here

St. Brendan's Wells are three natural springs on a grassy Galway slope where people walked long distances for water believed to touch the divine. The western well still holds its shape inside a collapsing drystone wall, feeding a thin stream toward its companions. Cattle may have drunk there in later years, yet the distance and repetition suggest human bodies once sought relief or clarity from that cold water.

On a N-facing slope in grassland. This is one of three holy wells, all natural springs, dedicated to St Brendan (GA098-068001-, GA098-068002-, and GA098-068003-). GA098-068001- is the westernmost well, located c.25m to the W of the other two. It is delimited by a drystone wall, five courses high but in a state of collapse. It is roughly square in plan (1.1m EW; 1.2m NS; D c.0.8m), and opens to the E. A stream runs from the well to the next well c. 25m to the E. The OS Letters (O’Flanagan 1927, Vol. 2, 80) mention two ‘very celebrated holy wells called (…) St Brendan’s well’ where ‘turrises are performed on Sundays and Fridays’. However, when last visited GA098-068001- appeared to have been used as a watering place for cattle. Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of upload: 9 January 2023

St. Brendan's Wells are associated with St. Brendan the Navigator, a 6th-century Irish monk and saint known for his legendary voyages and founding of monastic settlements. The wells are traditionally believed to possess healing properties, particularly for ailments of the eyes and general well-being, and are linked to early Christian pilgrimage practices in Ireland.

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