St. Feighins Well

In pastureland c. 30m to the NE of St Feighin's Grave Yard (GA126-038----). This holy well is enclosed by a semicircular drystone wall (diam. 0.95m) and is accessible via an entrance at N. A small stream flows from it. Dalton (1909, 19) noted that the devotional rounds took place there on the last three Saturdays in September. However, according to local information, the well was visited between July 15th and August 15th each year, a tradition which is now discontinued. The water of the well was reputedly used as a cure for eye ailments. (O'Flanagan 1927, Vol. 2, 516) A pattern day is now held on 31st July. Rags were traditionally tied to the hawthorn tree growing beside the well. Two small stone cairns (GA126-038002-) adjacent to it are regarded as pentitential stations (Hoctor 2019, 17). Revised by: Olive Alcock Date of revised upload: 30 October 2020

St. Feighin's Well is associated with the early Irish saint Feighin, traditionally linked to the 7th century and known for his ascetic life and miracles. The well, like many holy wells dedicated to saints, was historically visited for healing and spiritual purposes, with water believed to possess curative properties, particularly for eye ailments.