
Folklore · County Roscommon
Folklore and traditions of County Roscommon
10 sites with recorded traditions.
Illustrative image
10 sites in County Roscommon with traditions recorded by the Archaeological Survey. County Roscommon guide.
Folklore on ErinSites is quoted from the Archaeological Survey of Ireland (or, when marked, from visitors). It records what people said or believed about a place; it is not presented as historical fact.
- Bride's Well Holy well · Lisnanuran, Co. Roscommon
It has water and is the source of a stream that surfaces c. 10m to the NE and flows off to the N. The well is still venerated and has some offerings.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Kilbegly Well Holy well · Kilbegly, Co. Roscommon
It is a circular well (int. diam. 0.7m x 0.8m; D 0.8m) defined by a drystone wall which is open to the SW with two steps leading into it and a holy bush (RO054-026002-) with rags adjacent.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Bride's Well Holy well · Brideswell, Co. Roscommon
O'Donovan writing in the 1830s a pattern was held on 31st July (O'Flanagan 1931; 29-30), rises as a spring outside the WNW angle of a chapel or bath-house (RO048-108002-).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Bridget's Well Holy well · Cloonmurly, Co. Roscommon
Traditionally this well appeared when a notorious landlord, George Ormsby, attempted to cure an injured dog at Tobernagreghta well (RO040-016----) c. 65m to the W, from whence it moved in disgust to this location (O'Flanagan 1931, vol. 1, 53).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St. Bridget's Well Holy well · Cartron (Athlone South By., Athlone West Rural Ed), Co. Roscommon
A natural spring in limestone outcrop is known locally as St Bridget's Well and was renowned for a cure of warts, but it was deepened on several occasions and is now visible as a slight hollow, but there is no evidence of veneration.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tober Caelainn Holy well · Moor, Co. Roscommon
Traditionally, when St Caolin plucked out her eyes to dissuade a suitor a well appeared at that location.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tober Mary Holy well · Kilmacroy, Co. Roscommon
A well where the pattern was held between 15th Aug. and 8th Sep. was venerated in the 19th century (O'Flanagan 1928, 238; D'Alton 1845, 84), but it is no longer visible.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Toberelva Holy well · Toberelva, Co. Roscommon
The well is listed in the Register of Clonmacnoise (O'Donovan 1856-7, 451), and the well had an eye cure (Gormley 1989, 61).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tobermurry Holy well · Cloonboyoge, Co. Roscommon
This is an oval well (dims 1.7m N-S; 1.2m E-W) retained by drystone walling (max. H 1.2m) with a stream flowing off to the S. It is still venerated, and a pattern is held between Aug. 15th and Sep. 8th.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tobernagreaghta Holy well · Ballinaboy, Co. Roscommon
Patterns were held at night between Aug. 15th and Sep. 9th.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
