Saint Joseph's Holy Well, Dulick

James Feeney

James Feeney

Saint Joseph's Holy Well, Dulick

James Feeney

Saint Joseph's Holy Well, Dulick

James Feeney

Saint Joseph's Holy Well, Dulick

James Feeney

Saint Joseph's Holy Well, Dulick

James Feeney

Saint Joseph's Holy Well, Dulick

From left to right at the back Tony Kirby (Holy Well surveyor), Nick Geh (Holy Well surveyor), Michael Houlihan (Holy Well surveyor), James Feeney (Holy Well photographer) and Congella McGuire, County Clare Heritage Officer. Seated at the front Liam Conneally Director of Service, PJ Ryan Clare County Council, Cathaoirleacht and Pat Dowling Chief

Saint Joseph's Holy Well, Dulick, Image of site flooded in February 2022

James Feeney

Townland: Dulick, Templemaley

Description of Holy Well and Landscape Setting

This well is located in an enclosure bounded on the south-west by Lough Girroga and on the north by the former Our Lady’s Psychiatric Hospital. There is a grove of trees with a gravel path leading to the well enclosure. The well lies beneath the last grotto, a little to the right. Many of the tall mature trees at the site were removed so the area is now more open. Paths leading to the various grottos have been renewed.

Saint and Feast Day Associated with Holy Well

The well was previously dedicated to Inneenboy, patroness of the Cineál Baoith clan of Mid-Clare. The re-dedication to Saint Joseph occurred sometime after Joseph was made a Patron of the Universal Church in 1870 by Pope Pius IX

However, other saints are also honoured here including Our Lady, Saint Anne and The Sacred Heart. 15th August is the traditional day for well visitation and a mass takes place at the well which always gets a good attendance.

Natural Heritage around the Holy Well

Most of the bushes and scrub around the well enclosure were removed and the grasses replanted. Some of the tree trunks have been reshaped into seating for visitors. Lough Girroga can inundate the site in winter with waters rising several feet.