St John’s Well, Tobar Eoin Baiste, Cooliska Still in County Limerick, today’s holy well is about seven kilometres southwest of Newcastle West in the townland of Cooliska : an Chúil Loiscthe, the burnt corner. It is large well right on the roadside, dominated by a sparkling white statue of the patron saint, St John the […]
St Patrick
A stray serpent, a sacred fish and elusive kneeprints: two wells dedicated to St Patrick
St Patrick’s Well, Cloncagh Just when he though he had the job done, St Patrick was visiting the church at Cloncagh, South Limerick, when what should he see but a serpent hurtling towards him! He quickly threw his prayer book at the beast and where it landed up sprung a holy well. The serpent was […]
Patrick’s Well: trees, trout & a strange mound
In search for a well for St Patrick’s Day where better to start than a townland encouragingly called Patrickswell. This one is in County Limerick which has nineteen wells dedicated to the patron saint – quite a contrast to County Cork which has only two and I have yet to come across any dedicated to […]
En route to Ardpatrick
En route to Ardpatrick, a sign caught our eye somewhere near Kilfinnane- holy wells. Having never knowingly driven past one let alone more than one, we decided to investigate. A gap in a hedge and faded signage looked hopeful. It was quite a steep clamber down the other side, the steps literally cut into the […]
An Epic Pilgrimage for Michaelmas
There is a very picturesque area near Baile an Sceilg, Ballinskelligs, on the Iveragh Peninsula in Kerry known as the Glen. It stretches from Duchalla Head to Puffin Island, encompassing the enigmatic Skellig Rocks nine miles off the coast. The most famous rock, Sceilg Mhíchíl, Skellig Michael, was an early Christian settlement, where the monks […]
On Wells 5: Their Sacred Trees
One of the most encouraging sights to see is a lone tree in a field, one that has been carefully left to its own devices, for often under that tree is a holy well. Holy wells and sacred trees go together perfectly for, like wells, trees have long been subjects of devotion and mystery. Found […]