St. Patricks Well

St Patrick's Well described by Ó Danachair (1955, 216) as following; 'The spring still flows in an open field, but is defaced by cattle trampling. Still known as a holy well, but devotions have ceased. "Frequented as a holy well in the present time'. The following folklore was recorded from Crecora National School about Tobar Pádraig; 'In the townland of Kilpeacon and the lands of Mr Mangan lies a blessed well. The well is marked by two ash trees on which beads and medals used to be hung. In olden times crowds of people paid annual visits to this well and bathed in its waters. The water is said to be a special cure for sore eyes, should the eyes be rubbed with it. The water is not used for household purposes. The well is not visited now, but bits of beads and medals may still be seen hanging on the trees beside the wells' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0525, Page 146; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4922105/4852515/5010123). See attached photos taken in 1954 by Caoimhín Ó Danachair, courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F025.21.00392 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/24523 and F025.21.00391 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/17061. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 2 October 2020

St. Patrick’s Well in Kilpeacon is traditionally associated with St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and was once a site of pilgrimage and devotional practices. Although cattle now trample the area and formal devotions have ceased, the well remains locally recognized as a holy site, reflecting the broader medieval tradition of saintly wells linked to healing and spiritual renewal.