Folklore · County Wexford
Folklore and traditions of County Wexford
36 sites with recorded traditions.
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36 sites in County Wexford with traditions recorded by the Archaeological Survey. County Wexford 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.
- Rosbercon abbey Abbey or friary · Rosbercon, Co. Wexford
Described as the site of the Dominican abbey only on the 1839 ed. of the OS 6-inch map, and situated on the flood-plain of the N-S River Barrow/Nore with the stream c. 50m to the E. A Dominican friary known as St. Mary’s was reputedly founded in 1267 by the…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Saint Iberius' Church, Wexford Ancient church · Wexford, Co. Wexford
The parish church of St Iberius is at the N end of the Norse town and on the E side of North Main St. It is named after St. Ibar or Iobhar of Begerin (WX038-004001-), who is one of the most mythologized saints in Ireland (Ó Riain 2011, 381-2).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Degumen's Church Ancient church · Ballyconnick, Co. Wexford
The church is reputed to be dedicated to St. Degumen, a Welsh saint (Culleton 1999, 130).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Ibar's Church, Our Lady's Island Ancient church · Lady'S Island, Co. Wexford
A plenary indulgence was granted to pilgrims in the early 17th century (Corish 1987, 223), but Cromwell is said to have destroyed the shrine during the siege of Wexford in 1649 (Murphy c. 1960, 11-12), although there is no corroboration of this (Hore 1925…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Templetown Church Ancient church · Templetown, Co. Wexford
A preceptory of the Knights Templar known as Kilcloggan is traditionally said to have been founded by O'More of Laois in the late 12th century (Redmond 1900, 220-5; Gywnn and Hadcock 1970, 330), but is more likely to have been based on a grant of the church…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Ballyhealy Castle Castle · Ballyhealy Castle, Co. Wexford
Bunbury, who reputedly took down two of four towers at the castle, presumably a bawn, and a third tower was removed in the 19th century (Anon. 1863, 319), but there is no evidence of a bawn now.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Fethard Castle Castle · Grange (Shelburne By., Fethard Ed), Co. Wexford
Traditionally ascribed to the Suttons, whose principal residence was Ballykeerogemore (WX039- 024001-), the castle of Fethard was probably built by the Bishop of Ferns in the 15th century as a summer residence.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Lady Well Holy well · Tintern, Co. Wexford
There is no record of veneration and there are no offering, but a St. Bridget’s Cross is inscribed in cement over the opening.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Lady's Well Holy well · Ballingly, Co. Wexford
It is mentioned by John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 but it had long been abandoned and the date of the Pattern day was not even remembered (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 215).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Lady's Well Holy well · Coolstuff, Co. Wexford
It is situated on an E and NE-facing slope with the headwaters of a SW-NE stream c. 80m to the SE. According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was held on the 15th August, the Feast of the Assumption, every year (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 363).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Lady's Well Holy well · Eardownes Great, Co. Wexford
According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 it was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and was part of the pilgrimage (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 299), and according to Mac Leighim (1920, 133-4), quoting an elderly resident, the pattern was held on the feast of the…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Saint Brigid's Well Holy well · Brideswell Big, Co. Wexford
Described as 'Bride's Well' on the 1839 and 1940 eds of the OS 6-inch map, a pattern was held there until c. 1800, according to John O'Donovan c. 1840 (O'Flanagan 1933, 238).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
- St Agatha's Well Holy well · Shelbaggan, Co. Wexford
It is known locally to have a cure for warts, and offerings were present until c. 1960, but it is now disused.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Anne's Well Holy well · Killann, Co. Wexford
Located on a gentle S-facing slppe in the foothills of the Blackstairs Mountains with a N-S stream c. 35m to the W. According to John O'Donovan writing c. 1840 a pattern was performed at the well on 26th July until c. 1824 (O'Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 102).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Anne's Well Holy well · Tomhaggard, Co. Wexford
According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was kept on the 26th of July (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 200) and it is still held on that date.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Catherine's Well Holy well · Allenstown Big, Co. Wexford
According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 it was no longer visited at that time and he does not provide a pattern day (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 303).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Catherine's Well Holy well · Churchtown (Forth By., Tacumshin Ed), Co. Wexford
According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was celebrated on 21 October, which is not associated with any particular saint, but the pattern was not being observed even then (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 268).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Cavan's Well Holy well · Kilcavan (Retrenched), Co. Wexford
The well is dedicated to Saint Caomhán Santleathan of Ardcavan (WX038-006001-), and according to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was held on June 12th, the saint’s feastday (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 87).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Davids Well (site of) Holy well · Ballynaslaney, Co. Wexford
The pattern was revived in 1910 when some remarkable cures were recorded and it is still held on the 1st February.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Fintan's Well Holy well · Churchlands, Co. Wexford
According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was held on the 17th February.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Helen's Well Holy well · Killillane, Co. Wexford
According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 this holy well was frequented for the cure of sore eyes, but he does not provide the date of a pattern (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 270-1).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Helen's Well Holy well · Houseland, Co. Wexford
Her feast day is celebrated on August 18 (Butler 1883, 117), but there is no record of a pattern at this site.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Man's Well Holy well · Ballyboy (Forth By.), Co. Wexford
It is probably named after St. Munna of Taghmon (WX040-008003-), whose feastday falls on 21 October (Ó Riain 2011, 505-07), but there is no record of a pattern at this well (OSFM 1940).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Mary's Well Holy well · Ryland Lower, Co. Wexford
St Mary's Well, an oval drystone-walled structure (dims 2.4m E-W; 1.9m N-S) at which the pattern was held on the 22nd day of July until c. 1810 according to J.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Mary's Well Holy well · Kilmallock, Co. Wexford
It is located on a gentle SW-facing slope with the NW-SE River Sow c. 150m to the SW. According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was held on the 15th August (O'Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 356), but the well is no longer visible at ground level in…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Mary's Well Holy well · Grahormack, Co. Wexford
There are no offerings at the well, and there is no record of a pattern, but it was probably connected with the parish church of Rosslare (WX048-006001-) c. 1.3km to the N, which was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Moling's Well Holy well · Glebe (Ballaghkeen By., Monamolin Ed), Co. Wexford
This is a U-shaped well (dims. 1.25m E-W; 0.8m N-S) defined by a drystone wall and open to the E. It is roofed with lintels, and the pattern was held on the 17th of June according to John O'Donovan writing c. 1840 (O'Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 226) but there is…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Vauk's Well Holy well · St. Vogue'S, Co. Wexford
According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was held on January 20 (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 297), which is the feast day of St. Féichín, one of the most mythologised of the Irish saints (Ó Riain 2011, 309-11) but the likely patron of the church…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Winifred's Well Holy well · Tarahill, Co. Wexford
This 7th century Welsh saint is associated with the healing power of springs and her feastday is celebrated on the 2nd of November (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winefride).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St. Bridget's Well Holy well · Killisk, Co. Wexford
John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 records the name but says it had been disused for 20 years and the pattern was not remembered (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 222).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St. Bridget's Well Holy well · Castletalbot, Co. Wexford
According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was held on the 1st February until c. 1830 (O'Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 90-1).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St. Helen's Well Holy well · Killiane, Co. Wexford
John O’Donovan, writing c. 1840 says that the pattern was abolished c. 1810, and even the date was not remembered.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St. Keevil's Well Holy well · Ballybrennan Little, Co. Wexford
John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 says that the pattern was held on 27 August (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 281).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St. Mannan’s Well Holy well · Woodtown (Bargy By.), Co. Wexford
She was reputedly baptised by St. Patrick, and founded a nunnery at Faughart, Co. Louth (LH004-097001-), the reputed birthplace of St. Bridget (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 384).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St. Michael's Well Holy well · Bush (Forth By., Rosslare Ed), Co. Wexford
According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was held on 29 September until it was suppressed c. 1830 (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 278-9).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St. Mochoaun's Well Holy well · Longridge, Co. Wexford
Cuan’s feastday was on the 10th July but, although the well is mentioned by John O’Donovan writing c. 1840, a pattern is not recorded (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 77).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact