St Patricks Well

In low-lying pasture, c. 250m to N of Tawnagh church (SL034-085001-) and c. 200m N of a graveyard (SL034-085002-). A natural spring rises through limestone bedrock on the NW edge of a mound (H c. 0.8m) and feeds a fast-flowing stream to NW. Two roughly rectangular stones (0.28m x 0.25m x 0.1m and 0.35m x 0.25m x 0.15m) on top of the mound with shallow hollows cut into the surface of each are, according to local information, said to be the knee prints of St Patrick. A roughly circular area (diam. 1.6m x 1.5m) to NW in front of the mouth of the well is defined by a low setting of stones and through it the outflow of the spring flows. In 1836 it was recorded as 'St Patrick's Well, Tobar Patraig...whose day is celebrated there as Patron Saint of the Parish' (OSL, 154). In 1942-4 it was noted that very few people visit the well, there being no annual pilgrimage day (ITA). There is no evidence of recent veneration at this well. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008

St Patrick’s Well is traditionally associated with the patron saint of Ireland, St Patrick, and is believed to have curative properties, particularly for ailments of the eyes and general health. The site reflects a long-standing Christian and pre-Christian tradition of venerating holy wells as places of pilgrimage and healing.