St Michaels Well

In hilly pasture. Stone-lined circular well (diam. 1.3m), enclosed by circular stone wall with corbelled roof; opening to N with steps down (D 0.7m) to well. Three cross-shaped recesses on external face of enclosing wall; matching rectangular recesses internally contain statues and votive offerings. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Images provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/

Linked to St Michael, the well is associated with healing traditions and may have been a site of Marian devotion, reflecting the common medieval practice of venerating saints for physical and spiritual cure. The cross-shaped recesses suggest a long Christian tradition of pilgrimage and ritual use.