St. Bridgets Well

Situated on a fairly level landscape, with a N-S stream just to the W. It is marked on the 1839 and 1940 eds of the OS 6-inch map, and described as St. Bridget’s Well in gothic lettering on both, although Grattan Flood (1915, 69) suggests that this well was called after St. Catherine. The well is at the foot of a whitethorn tree, and consists of a subcircular hollow (dims 0.55m x 0.5m; D 0.5m) lined with stones. A large stone (dims 1.05m x 0.6m; T 0.1m) is embedded in the ground nearby, but there is no evidence of veneration. The site of Mulrankin church (WX047-029----) is c. 160m to the N and Mulrankin tower house (WX047-031----) is c. 100m to the SSW. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload:17 October, 2013

St. Bridget’s Well is associated with the Celtic saint Brigid of Kildare, revered for her healing powers and linked to fertility, dairy, and protection. Traditionally, the well was visited for curing ailments, especially those related to women’s health, and its waters were often used in rituals during Imbolc, the festival marking the beginning of spring.