St. Menaghans Wells

One of two holy wells (WM035-003003-) dedicated to St. Managhan or St. Manchán (Managhan/Menaghan/Moynaghan) of Lemanaghan (OF015-004003-). In the parish of Kilcleagh the feastday of St. Manchán was remembered on the 29th of September (Ó Riain 2011, 429). No surface remains visible of holy well depicted as 'St. Menaghans Wells' on the 1910 ed. OS 25-inch map where this well is shown standing inside the graveyard (WM035-003001-) wall on the S side. Second holy well (WM035-003003-) depicted standing outside graveyard in field 30m to S. On the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map both holy wells are depicted standing outside the graveyard (WM035-003001-) area which is indicated with a dotted outlined. In 1982 the Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) recorded that ‘no trace of this well now survives’ (SMR File 30/03/1982). An earlier ASI report from 1979 recorded that the holy well standing inside the graveyard survives as ‘an overgrown and choked up circular hole, no water and no sign of veneration. The other well (WM035-003003-) in the field has disappeared’ (SMR File 15/03/1979). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 05 August 2014

St. Menaghans Wells are associated with St. Manchán, a 7th-century Irish saint known for his healing miracles, particularly related to eye ailments and general physical healing. The wells are linked to local traditions of pilgrimage and water rituals, with the feast day of St. Manchán celebrated on 29 April.