What is recorded here

St. Colmans Well in County Limerick remains a living ritual site where clear spring water still flows beneath a white-washed canopy and metal cross. People have circled this small stone-lined well for generations, especially on 29th October, when the surrounding countryside once emptied into its hedge-enclosed lawn. The lost sallow tree, once strangled under numberless rags, is gone, but the well itself refuses to fade into history. It still receives kneeling bodies, fresh religious pictures and the quiet certainty that Colman has not stopped listening.

On W side of stream, immediately S of Colman's well graveyard (LI046-02303-). Spring well is in centre of circular area (diam. c. 10m) enclosed by hedge with recently erected gateways at NE and SE sides. Concrete path immediately inside and concentric with hedge, and area between path and well under lawn. Circular stone-lined well (diam. c. 0.8m) contains clear water. Over well is white-washed canopy surmounted by metal cross; opening faces W and before it is sunken area with concrete floor and steel-bar kneeling rest. Above well is wooden shelf containing recent religious pictures and statue of Madonna and Child. Well is clearly still in use and being maintained. According to Ó Danachair (1955, 205) 'rounds are made frequently, especially on the saint's day, 29th October'; described in 1840 (OSL vol. 2, 34) as 'much more frequented at this period (namely in October) than at any other'. Latter description also mentions a 'sallow tree ... twenty feet in circumference' which had 'numberless rags' tied to it (ibid.); this tree was gone by 1955 (Ó Danachair ibid.). Lewis (1837) noted that 'the peasantry of the surrounding country ... assemble here in great numbers on the anniversary of the saint, and at other times'; according to Ó Danachair (ibid.) 'the pattern was held up to about sixty years ago' (i.e. c. 1900). Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011

St. Colman's Well is associated with St. Colman of Cloyne, a 7th-century Irish saint known for his healing miracles. The well was traditionally visited for its curative properties, particularly for eye ailments and general healing, with rituals often involving the collection of water on specific feast days.

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