St. Davins Well

Marked on the 1839 and 1925 eds of the OS 6-inch map and described as St. Davin’s Well in gothic lettering on both. St. Damhán of Feamore in Old Leighlin, Co. Carlow was one of the brothers of St. Abán of Adamstown (WX031-023001-) (Ó Riain 2011, 256). The pattern was held on August 1st, according to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 367), although it had been discontinued since c. 1820. The date of the pattern suggests that it might have Lughnasa associations (MacNeill 1962, 648), but there is no other evidence of this. The well is located in the valley of a small NW-SE stream, just on the S bank at a point where the stream meanders NE. There is no evidence of the well in deciduous woodland, unless it is a small pool on the S bank of the stream. The parish church of Kildavin (WX043-015001-) is c. 150m to the SE. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 28 May, 2013

St. Davin’s Well is associated with St. Damhán of Feamore, a 7th-century Irish monk and saint known for his ascetic practices and connection to the monastic site of Old Leighlin in County Carlow. The well, traditionally visited for its supposed healing properties, reflects a broader Celtic Christian tradition linking holy wells to saintly intercession and curative waters.