St. Laurences Well

Marked on the 1839 and 1941 eds of the OS 6-inch map and described as St. Laurence’s Well in gothic script on both. The St. Laurence invoked is probably a late dedication to St. Laurence (Lorcán) O’Toole of Dublin (Ó Riain 2011, 403-05). The well is located in the ravine of s small N-S stream that joins the W-E Ballyvoleen River c. 60m to the S. This is a circular rock-pool (diam. 0.8m; D 0.8m) on the W side of the ravine and c. 1m over its base. There is no evidence of veneration, apart from the presence nearby of the base of an ornamental pillar (diam. of base 0.34m; diam. of pillar 0.17m; H 0.25m). (Mac Eochaidh 1970, 71-1) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 14 December, 2012

St. Laurence’s Well is associated with St. Laurence O’Toole (Lorcán Ó Tuathail), a 12th-century Archbishop of Dublin and patron saint of the city, venerated for his piety and miracles. Holy wells dedicated to him often feature traditions of healing and pilgrimage, with water believed to have curative properties, particularly for ailments of the eyes and throat.