After the enchantment surrounding the adventure to St Erc’s well in the last blog, it is only fair to reveal that not all holy well explorations are so exciting and rewarding. There are about 10 wells around Tralee that I have been intending to visit for years but it’s been hard to muster enthusiasm. Consulting […]
St Bartholomew
Turas agus Snamh agus Comhrá: three wells in Castlehaven parish
Enjoying a wonderful run of summery weather and invitations to view wells coming in thick and fast, I have spent just two days in the Castlehaven/Toe Head area revisiting a trio of holy wells. St Bartholomew’s Well, Tobar Bearcháin, Castlehaven Reading through the Southern Star I came across an article about Gormú, the brainchild of […]
Cork City Wells Revisited
Cork city originally had six wells in its vicinity: Lady’s Well, Leitrim Street; St Francis Well, Franciscan Well Pub; Sunday’s Well, Sunday’s Well Road; Toibar Bhrionach, Wise’s Hill; St Finbarr’s Well, Kilbarry and St Bartholomew’s Well, Doughcloyne. The first four were investigated on an atrocious day way back in February 2016 and are due for […]
Two wells on the Kerry/Limerick border
Finding ourselves tootling along the Kerry/Limerick border it seemed rude not to pop over and check out St Mary’s Well in Athea. Mary’s Well, Tobermurry, Athea The well is on the side of the road, instantly recognisable by the three statues looming over the wall. However this is not it’s original position – it moved […]
St Batt’s Well & an Abundance of Cattle
It is the season for frisky and curious cattle and they were in abundance near the first two wells encountered in today’s exploration in North Kerry. St Lúireach’s Well, Tobar Luráigh, Toberlury Tobar Luráigh looked remote and difficult to find on the map, and it was. The footpath shown on the early OS maps had […]
On Wells 4: Pilgrimage, Partying & Paying the Rounds
You can of course visit a holy well any day of the week but there are certain times when a visit is considered to be especially potent. The main day for visiting a well is the pattern day or pátrún day, usually celebrated on the patron saint’s feast day. St John’s wells are visited on […]