St. Bridgets Well

In pasture, near base of E-facing slope. In area of outcropping limestone. Well has been obscured by a modern concrete pump-house (H 2m; 3.6m N-S; 2.1m E-W). Directly adjacent to E wall of pump-house there is a roughly ovoid shaped area (2m N-S; 1.45m E-W) surrounded by large boulders. This area, containing water (D 0.3m), appears to act as a reservoir for the pump-house to which it is connected via a pipe. Stream adjoins immediately to E. Ó Danachair (1955, 214) described it as a 'clear strong spring issuing from cracks in the limestone'; it has been abandoned since early 19th century (ibid.). The following folklore was recorded from Nutgrove National School about St. Bridget's Well; 'There is a holy well in Tubrid about a quarter of a mile South of Nutgrove school, and it is called after St. Bridget, and it is said that a woman washed clothes in the well, and it removed about forty yards. one can see where the well was formarly. There is a big flag there, and a drain running from under the flag down to where the well is situated now. There is also a grave yard at the back of the well, where children were buried long ago, who died of a plague. There are several marks and stones to be seen still there. The grave yard (LI019-279----) is of a circular shape, and is higher than the rest of the field. There is a big flag between it and the original well, and one could hardly standing on it, because it is always slippery' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0482, Pages 351-2; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4921942/5053611). See attached photos taken in 1954 by Caoimhín Ó Danachair, courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F025.21.00430 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/31022; F025.21.00429 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/31021 and F025.21.00428 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/17073. Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 2 October 2020

St. Bridget’s Well is associated with the Celtic saint Brigid of Kildare, revered for her patronage over fertility, healing, and protection. Traditionally, the well was visited for its supposed curative properties, particularly for ailments of the eyes and childbirth, with offerings such as coins or ribbons left as tokens of gratitude.