Saint Senan Liath's Holy Well (No.1), Doonass Demesne, Clonlara
Townland: Doonass, Clonlara, (Kiltenanlea)
Donass, or Dún Easa means ‘The Fort at the Waterfall’.
Description of Holy Well and Landscape Setting
This well is located in its own grove, which is graveled. It is fashioned from concrete and there is a canopy containing a white marble statue of Saint Senan Liath, with the well waters in front. In the 1950s, a cut stone canopy from Nenagh Courthouse was acquired for the well by Canon Hamilton, and a statue of Saint Senan made of Italian marble was donated by Mary O’ Dwyer. There were fresh potted flowers around the statue at the time of the research visit and the area was excellently maintained.
Saint and Feast Day Associated with Holy Well
The well has two days of celebration – 8th March and 15th August. The August date is now the more popular of the two. The prayer sequence at the well is recorded as five Our Fathers, five Hail Marys and five Glorias while ’rounding’ the well- circling the well and reciting this sequence of prayers.
Natural Heritage Around the Holy Well
The grotto appears to have been created from a section of a grazing field. It is set back in the grove, which is shaded by tall protective poplar trees.
Heritage Attractions Nearby
The River Shannon and the Falls of Doonass are close by.
Additional Information
Some locals make a distinction between Saint Senan of Scattery Island and the Saint Senan associated with this well, who they call ‘Seanán’ Liath or Senan the Hoary. They believe Seanán Liath lived at a later time. Both Saint Senans share a feast-day on March 8th.
Discover More…
Record of Monuments and Places Number
RMP-CL054-009
Surveyed by Michael Houlihan
No Comments
Add a comment about this page