St. Catherines Wells

Located on the side entrance into St. Catherine's Park. There are two wells side by side, with arched coverings. This one is higher than the other (DU017-002001-). Tradition has it that the water from the larger well was drunk and the water from the smaller well was used to bathe sore eyes. Joyce described the wells as being canopied, the larger having a wooden door and a stone head (1912, 359). In 1958 the stone head fixed to the higher arch had been stolen more than once (Ó Danachair 1958, 82). This has since been removed and the well hood vandalised. No longer venerated. Folklore collected from Palmerstown School recorded the following details about St Catherine's Wells; 'There are two wells beside each other in a farm called St. Catherine's now owned by Mr. McMahon. The two wells are connected. The water of one flows into the other. It is said that the two are holy wells and are named St. Catherine's Wells. Mr. McMahon told me that the well to the right is the Holy Well and that the other well is not. Over the well at the right there is the model of a head. It is said that it represents St. Catherine. The waters are believed to have the virtue of curing sore eyes. People used to come there to pray and to wash their eyes with the water. I don't know if they left rags or other articles after them at the well or not. The water of the well to the left are used for many purposed but the waters of the other well are never used. Those who pass by stop at the this well and drink a little of the water, and perhaps pray there' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0795, Pages 101d-f; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4428221/4386928). Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 17 April 2023

linked to St. Catherine and used for healing purposes, particularly for ailments of the eyes and skin. The site reflects a tradition of holy wells associated with female saints in Ireland, often linked to fertility, protection, and physical healing.