St. Maurus Well

Annotated 'St Maurus' Well' on 1937 ed. OSi 6-inch map, 180m W of St Maur's Church (DU008-021001-) and graveyard (DU008-021002-). Formerly an enclosed spring well roofed with flagstones (Ó Danachair 1958, 74). Located base of steep bank E of private residence driveway. Described in 1975 as follows; 'The site has been completely altered by the building of a modern house, though the well being on one side of the driveway. It is now visible only as a small hollow from which a trickle of water emerges. No sign of the flagstone roof remains' (Henry A. Wheeler 22/05/1975, SMR File). Folklore collected from Rush School recorded the following tradition about this well; 'There are two holy wells in the district of Rush, and their names are St Maurs, and St Catherines Well [DU008-005----]. St Maurs Well is on the Spout Road. This is a small road connecting the Whitestown Road and the Channel Road. The well is situated on the North side of the Road and is about a short distance from the Whitestown Road. It is surrounded by bushes and there is a large flat stone in front. Long ago when people visited this well the water was supposed to cure sore eyes, and headaches. They knelt on the flat stone in front of the well and bathed their eyes and forehead in the water. This custom is dying out, but the old people firmly believe in the cure' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0786, Page 60; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4498364/4384285/4508880). A second story collected from the same school recorded the following details; 'On the Spout Road close to Whitestown graveyard there is a holy well called Saint Maurs Well. Long ago people were in the habit of visiting this Holy Well as the water was supposed to cure headaches and sore eyes. This custom has died out and very few people know of the existence of this well. Saint Maurs day is on the 17 of January. It is not a holiday of obligation. Mass is celebrated and prayers offered for the welfare of this parish. There are several people in the parish called Maur after Saint Maur. But in some cases this has been changed to Maurice' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0786, Pages 56-7; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4498364/4384281). Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 12 April 2023

St. Maurus Well is associated with St. Maurus, a 6th-century Irish monk and companion of St. Columba, venerated for his healing miracles. The well was traditionally visited for its curative properties, particularly for ailments of the eyes and skin, and was likely a site of pilgrimage and seasonal rituals.