St. Patricks Well

A well is marked on the 1839 and 1925 eds of the OS 6-inch map and described as ‘St. Patrick’s Well’ in gothic lettering on both. It is situated on a level landscape with a small S-N stream c. 15m to the W. According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was held on St. Joseph’s day, March 19, but had not been held since c. 1800 (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 197). It is not visible at ground level in a lawn. St. Joseph was the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and he led the Holy Family into Egypt to protect them from the vengeance of Herod. When he returned to Palestine the resumed his occupation of carpenter at Nazareth. The date of his death is not known, by he appears to have died before Christ began His ministry. Joseph was renowned for his humility, and became the patron saint of working men. (Butler 1883, 50) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 19 February, 2014

St. Patrick’s Well in Sarshill is traditionally associated with the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, and like many such wells, may have been linked to early Christian pilgrimage or healing practices. The naming of the well suggests a possible medieval or later tradition of Christian veneration, though specific cures or rituals connected to the site are not recorded.