Saint Mochulla, Saint Mochuille’s Holy Well, Rathmore

James Feeney

James Feeney

Saint Mochulla, Saint Mochuille’s Holy Well, Rathmore

James Feeney

Saint Mochulla, Saint Mochuille’s Holy Well, Rathmore

James Feeney

Townland: Rathmore/Rath (Rosroe), Kilmurry, Feenagh.

Description of Holy Well and Landscape Setting

The well lies a good distance along a farm track off the Rosroe-Knocknalappa Road. The well is close to the east shore of Rosroe Lough and a short distance from the small but archaeologically important Knocknalappa Lough. The well is obscured by bushes, with only wet patches of ground indicating its presence. It would be difficult to spot without local knowledge.

Saint and Feast Day Associated with Holy Well

Visits to this holy well have long ceased. It is possible that the well has not had religious visitors since the late 19th century. Some of the locals in the townland no longer knew of its existence.

In 1839 while working for the Ordnance Survey, John O Donovan wrote:
‘There is no recollection or monument of a Patron Saint in this Parish unless a Holy Well dedicated to St. Mochuille of Tulla and situated in the Townland of Rathmore about a mile south of the old Church of Feenagh, might have some connection with him’.

Natural Heritage Around the Holy Well

The well is on farmland, it lies close to a small stream that appears to be occluded by a hedge.

Heritage Attractions Nearby

The holy well is close to Kilmurry (na nGall) and Sixmilebridge. The Craggaunowen Hertiage Park is a 20 minute drive away.

Additional information

National Folklore Schools’ Collection, 1930s:

‘Blessed wells – fifteen in number – geographically distributed over East Clare – bear the name Tobar Mochulla. Six of these are in the parish of Tulla and occupy positions to the east, west north and south of the Hill. They are to be found at Tulla, immmediately at the base of the Saint’s rampart and in the townlands of Fortanne, Drimleague (Miltown) Cragg, Laharden, Kilgorey. His other wells are at Loughraney, Lough Brighid, Broadford, Clonsheera (near Trough) Ralahine, Rath ( Ráth) (Sixmilebridge) Kilnoe, and Cappavilla.

Ordnance Survey Letters, 1839:

Up to the year 1839 patterns were held at the principal Mochulla wells on the 23rd of March and the 23rd of June. The Saint’s Feast Day was on the 11th January’.