What is recorded here

Killaghteen is a small townland in Limerick where a keyhole well still holds water beneath a stone roof. People once walked rounds there in May, believing the water eased sore eyes. At midnight, two hooded women knelt beside it, silent and patient, while travellers passed into the dark.

In angle formed by road and stream. Keyhole-shaped pool (1.4m x 0.6m) lined with rubble stone, covered by stone wall with galvanised roof. Run-off from pool on S side, where two stone steps provide access to pool. No devotional objects present. According to Ó Danachair (1955, 212) 'rounds made formerly, especially in May ... the well cures sore eyes.' The following folklore was recorded from Killaghteen National School about Tobairín an Duine Bhoicht; 'My father and I were going to the fair of Listowel. As we went up Tulaig we were passing this well and it was very late in the night. We saw the two women kneeling there at the well and they wore hooded cloaks. It was about 2 o'clock in the morning. They never spoke and we passed on. They used to be seen several times there' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0489, Page 053; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4921965/4914073) See attached photos taken in 1954 by Caoimhín Ó Danachair, courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F025.21.00300 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/31083 and F025.21.00301 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/17032. Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 1 October 2020

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