St. Peakauns Well

At the base of a NW-facing slope with a stream running roughly N-S c. 7m to the W. A stone-lined, roughly circular well (dims. 1.6m x 1.56m; D 1.2m) with cement mortar. Two stone steps lead down to water in the NNE quadrant. A covered channel runs NNW-SSE from the NNW quadrant of the well. Clear water in the well (D 0.5m) which never runs dry. On the S side of the well, inserted in the top of the wall of the well, there is a cross-slab (TS075-023044-). The pattern day is on the 1st of August. The area surrounding the well was originally enclosed by a wooden fence which was replaced by a stone wall (c. 1985). Within this enclosed area, 2m S of the well there is a bullaun (TS075-023073-) apparently brought to this location c. 1990 from neighbouring Ballydrehid townland. S of this stone there is a millstone which was also transported from Ballydrehid c. 1990. It is a conglomerate stone (diam. 1.33m; T 0.16m) with a central perforation (diam. 0.35-0.37m) with four rectangular slots (L 0.07-0.08m; D 0.03-0.05m) projecting from this perforation. It is resting on a specially constructed stone and cement pedestal. A stoup has been inserted into the top of the wall immediately E of the holy well. It appears to be of 19th-century date. It is fluted towards the base with foliate decoration above. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 14 April 2014

St. Peakauns Well is traditionally associated with a local saint, possibly of early Christian origin, and is linked to healing practices, particularly for ailments of the eyes and skin. The well's construction and positioning suggest it may have been a site of both Christian and pre-Christian ritual significance, given its alignment and natural water source.