Holy Wells

Ballycannan Holy Well, Saint Patrick's Parish
The holy well site is said to be at the edge of a grazing field close to a new house build, a little north of Meelick village, on the north side of L3068 road. The well was indicated as being on the edge of a wooded area in the field. The exact site of the well was not located at the time of the research visit and no locals had any knowledge of...
Bullán Phádraig, Saint Patrick's Well, Poulnalour
This holy well is located in a limestone cliff face in a small woodland near the Glenquin Valley. It sits within a crescent-shaped boundary dry stone wall. There are thick layers of shale in the limestone...
Cloontyconnaught Holy Well
The Holy Well is very difficult to find without local help to track it down. It is on the right of a gap between two grazing fields off the R352 road. It stands on the edge of a small stream or possibly in the stream...
Derryharriv Holy Well
This holy well is said to be located on the northern bank of a tributary stream of the River Cullenagh, about 100 metres north-west of a private dwelling. The well could not be located at the time of the research visit and may no longer be in existence. The Cullenagh, also known as the Inagh River, has its source south of the well and enters the sea at Liscannor Bay...
Drumellihy Holy Well No. 1 or Our Lady's Holy Well, Drumellihy Westby
This holy well lies a short distance northwest of Cooraclare village, approximately 2 kilometres off the R483 road. It stands on the high slope of the field with in a blue and white grotto-type surroun...
Drumellihy Holy Well No. 2 or Our Lady’s Holy Well, Drumelihy Westby
The area where this well was once situated is reached by following the R483 and continuing along two local roads. While the 1842 Ordnance Survey Map shows the location of this holy well, there is nothing at the site now except rushes. It was explained by a local that the well 'moved' in 1844 to its current location. This is not uncommon for holy wells in County Clare. There is no memory of a holy well in the area amongst locals...
Fahy Holy Well, Faha Holy Well or Saint Ann's Well, Feakle
Fahy or An Fhaiche/Faithche Uí Allmhúráin, refers to O' Halloran's meadow or lawn. This well takes the form of a bullaun, a stone with a basin like depression on its surface which is often filled with water. It is one of cluster of monuments including a derelict church and a graveyard in the next field. The stone wall near the well has a stepped stile, which may have assisted pilgrims as they followed an old pilgrimage route across the countryside. The well has been out of use for a long time and seems to belong to an earlier era of veneration...
Friars Well, Tobar na Brathair, Knocknageeha
This holy well lies in an area of heavy scrub in a small clearing surrounded by mature trees. Today it takes the form of a small muddy pool, and there were no votive offerings present at the time of the research visit. A steady trickle of water flowed off downhill from the well. The well was once used as a water source for a couple living in a cottage nearby. They maintained the we...
Glencolumbkille South Holy Well, likely once known as Tober Colmcille, Carran
The well lies at the end of a short green road. The site has a little hillock, with trees and stream. The well lies to the right as an enclosed and separate part of the stream. It emerges from a limestone wall at the rear of the site. The well is designated by a loose stone wall. The top section of a stone cross is inserted into this wall. This cross may be part of the once tall ‘termon’ cross that stood at the entrance to the graveyard and the 14th century ruins of Sain...
Glenina Holy Well, Tobar Na Croise Naofa, Tobernacrohaneeve, The Well of the Holy Cross.
The well lies off the R477 on the landward side of Glenina Castle, about 100 metres in from the R477 road. The well is contained within a well house dating to the 15th century. The stones of the well have been regularly whitewashed in recent years. Over the well is a stone crucifix. Inside the well house there is a low volume of fresh water in the spring and some statuettes on the shelves. There is an old elder tree at the well that might once have served...
Grania's Well, No. 2, Drummanneen
This well is one of two wells lying very close together inside the hedge of a large grazing field to the north of the Ballinruan Road on the outskirts of the village of Crusheen (Croisín). They are about 15-20 metres from the field bo...
Grania's Well, No.1, Drummanneen
This is one of two wells lying very close together in a large grazing field on the outskirts of the village of Crusheen. They are about 15-20 metres in from...
Kilfearagh Holy Well, Tobar Fiachra
The well lies a few hundred metres east of the old Kilfearagh Church and graveyard. The well site is beside a bungalow, on private grazing ground. It takes the form of a jumble of stones and brambles, with a large slab...
Killerk Holy Well, Killerk East
The well lies in very heavy damp ground, interspersed by medium sized ash trees. Near the holy well there is a cillín, a burial ground in unconsecrated earth where unbaptised infants were sometimes laid to rest. There is a path near the site which was once the coffin path to the burial ground. There is only one inscribed headstone in the cillín...
Kilmaleery, Cill Mac Laoghaire or Cill Mailiaraidh Holy Well
This well is situated on the west side of the L3156 road, approximately 2 kilometres south-west of Newmarket on Fergus village. The well lies about 50 metres in to the field. The well site is protected by an iron railing. The well is decorated with a once fine arch and Celtic cross. These have aged badly. A small crucifix in white marble chips and the name of the saint are embedded in the plaster work of the well covering. At the top of the well structure is a feature which has been weathered over the years. The well looks as if it is no...
Kiltumper Holy Well, Cill Tiompair
The well lies approximately 1.5 kilometres north of Kilmihil village. It is a short walk from the L2084 road. A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary takes centre place at the well, with a smaller statue of Christ to the right. The well lies in front of the statue wall. A plaque on the left commemorates Seán Uí Braoin, aged 21, who died in the fight for Irish independence. The last line on the plaque reads 'Ar deis laimh Dé go raibh a anam'. Some beads had been placed on the statue of the Blessed...
Kilvoydan Holy Well, Kilvoydan South
This holy well is located at the northern end of a large field of improved grasslands. The well is at the field boundary. Some church ruins, an early Christian enclosure and a cillín are located a couple of hundred metres south of the well, in same field. A small stream flows close by the well. The well was dry at the time of the research visit and was also recorded to be dry by T.J Westropp in the late 19th/early 20th century. Tom Coffey suggests in his local history, ‘The Parish of Inchicronan (Crusheen)’, 1993, that a minor amount of dredging would fill the well with water again... The well was dry at the time of the research visit and was also recorded to be dry by T.J Westropp in the late 19th- early 20th century. Tom Coffey suggested in his local history, ‘The Parish of Inchicronan (Crusheen)’, 1993, that a minor amount of dredging would fill the well again.
Knockaunboy Holy Well, also known as Saint Mochonna's Well, Fairhill
This holy well is at the top of a hillock in a meadow. The well is marked by a small collection of low stones. The place where the spring would emerge could be seen but there was no water present at the time of the ...
Laghtsenan, Leacht Sheanáin Holy Well, Moylougha
This holy well is a part of a larger sacred landscape that begins with a cairn of stones northeast of the well, known as Senan’s Altar. The well has constant clear water. Above the spring is a glass enclosure containing a large effigy of the saint. A wall with some domestic hedging protects the site. There are two torn bushes to the north east of the well and a large flag-stone lying on the ground here. This is said to mark the home or birthplace of Saint Senan.
Lismulbreeda Holy Well
The well lies at the bottom of a large field adjacent to a farmhouse, with a small stream at its back. In the preceding winter a large tree, possibly ash, fell across the well. The tree has since been removed and the well restored ...
Muckinish Holy Well, Muc Inis, Pig Island
This holy well is located at the end of cul-de-sac off the R460 running from Inagh to Miltown Malbay. It is in a small area of green land, approximately 1 kilometre square, that is completely surrounded by commercial evergreen forestry. The well is in the north-western corner of this green area. There is a cillín about 100 metres south of the well. A dwelling and outbuildings are a further 100 metres south of the cillín. The area lies between two lakes. Drumcullaun Lough is about 0.5 kilometres to the north-east and Lough Caum is a similar distance to the south. The Cullen...
Naomh Cronán, Saint Cronan's Holy Well, Killokennedy
This well lies at the base of a tall ash tree on the edge of a stream dividing two grazing fields. It is a few hundred metres from the old Kilokennedy graveyard. A small stone shelf acts as a lintel from which the well emerges beneath. On it are crockery pieces, which are likely to be past offerings.
Oughtdara Holy Well, Ucht Dara Holy Well
The holy well is located in the south-west of the Burren, two kilometres west of Galway Bay. It well is part of an early historic church site. Possible early historic features on the site include church ruins, well, enclosure and souterrain. There is also a children's burial ground, or cillín, at the site...
Our Lady's Well or Tobermurry, Tobar Muire, Kilmacduane
This holy well stand inside a circular wall beside the local graveyard. The well was significantly renovated in recent years and is in excellent condition. It is clear that it is still held in affection by the local ...