St. Ronans Well

On low-lying ground c. 20m from the N bank of a SE-NW stream. This is an oval well (dims 0.95m NE-SW; 0.75m NW-SE; D 0.65m) defined by a masonry wall (Wth 0.5m; H 0.6m) which is open to the SW and which has a trough (dims 0.9m x 0.4m) on top of the wall. It is within a subcircular enclosure (int. dims 8.5m x 7m) defined by a masonry wall (Wth 0.6m; H 1m) with a limestone crucifixion plaque (RO051-072002-) (dims 1.13m x 0.9m), probably 18th century in date, set into it (Crawford 1919, 115). A thorn tree stands over the well. The well is still venerated, and a pattern is held on 21st June (O'Flanagan 1931, vol. 1, 24; Moore 2000, 91-2), although St Rónán of Aghalurcher, Co. Fermanagh (Foley and McHugh 2014, vol. 1, 685-90), after whom it is thought to have been named, is remembered on 23rd December (Ó Riain 2011, 538). The parish church of Taghmaconnell (RO051-053001-) is c. 900m to the NE. See the attached view taken from the SE. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 August 2010

St. Ronan is associated with healing traditions, particularly for ailments of the eyes and skin. The well is linked to local folklore that includes tales of the saint's miraculous interventions and a ritual of pouring water into a nearby stream to ensure its continued efficacy.