What is recorded here

Well of the Holy Cross is a holy well in Churchquarter (coshmore and Coshbride By.), County Waterford, Ireland. The 1929 account recorded a rectangular drystone chamber with two lintels, a small eastern opening, a quartz penitential cairn and a metal cross. It also preserved the early nineteenth century tradition that a pattern honoured the Holy Cross there on 14 September.

Situated towards the bottom of a steep E-facing slope of Kilwatermoy Mountain, with the N-S stream in Moorhill Glen c. 250m to the E. The well is on the NW side of a SW-NE road. It is a rectangular drystone built hollow covered by two lintels and with a small opening (Wth 0.53m; H c. 0.2m) at E. It is still venerated and a penitential cairn (WA033-005001-) (dims. 1.6m x 1.3m; H 0.4m) of quartz stones covers the lintels and supports a metal cross. A pattern was held on the 14th of September in honour of the Holy Cross in the early 19th century, according to John O'Donovan (O'Flanagan, 1929, 72). O’Flanagan, M. (Compiler) (1929) Letters containing information relative to the antiquities of the county of Waterford collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1841. Typescript. Bray. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 27 September 2011

Linked to the veneration of the Holy Cross, the well was traditionally visited for healing and protection, particularly on Holy Cross Day (September 14). Locals would leave small offerings and pray for recovery from illness or safe passage through difficult times.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.