Folklore · saints

Places of St Mary in Ireland

64 sites named after or linked to St Mary.

Illustrative image

64 sites named after or linked to St Mary in the Archaeological Survey: 23 ancient churches, 19 abbeys & friaries, 18 holy wells, 1 high crosses, 1 monastic sites, 1 ogham stones, 1 round towers.

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.

Lady Well Holy well · Inishcaltra Or Holy Island, Co. Clare
St Mary's Well Holy well · Poulavare, Co. Cork
The well is described by Reeves (1858, 274) as 'cased inside with blocks of oak, about three feet deep, rudely squared...believed to have been formerly lined with lead.' Photograph taken in 1907 (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 4, 264) shows a low square drystone…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
St Mary's Well Holy well · Crosshaven, Co. Cork
According to O'Leary (1919, 84) '...as no votive offerings are to be seen, apparently "rounds" are no longer made'.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
St. Bridget's Well Holy well · Knocknagore, Co. Cork
Our Lady's Spout Holy well · Howth, Co. Dublin
It is said to come from a holy well, dedicated to Our Lady, in the abbey grounds, The water cures sore eyes'.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
St. Mary's Well Holy well · Tobertown, Co. Dublin
Folklore collected in 1934 from Balscadden National School recorded the following beliefs about St Mary's Well; 'Situated in centre of very ancient graveyard beside this school.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
St Mary's Well Holy well · Killarney, Co. Kerry
A commemorative plaque at the well reads: 'St. Mary's Well, a place of pilgrimage since 1302, reputed for baptisms and cures over long years'.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
St Mary's Well Holy well · Coolaghmore, Co. Kilkenny
According to O’Kelly (1985, 142), at Coolaghmore there is, ‘a well in the churchyard [KK030-004003-] field called Tobar an chillín, the little church well, where a pattern is held on the first Sunday in September’.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
St Mary's Well Holy well · Killarga, Co. Leitrim
This is a natural well in a rock cleft at the bottom of a low cliff (H 1.8m) which is surrounded by a stone wall, making a small rectangular enclosure (int. dims c. 3.5m x 3.5m) which contains statues and offerings.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
Mary Magdalene's Well Holy well · Kilbane, Co. Limerick
Rounds still made, especially on the feast day (22nd July).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
St. Mary's Well Holy well · Knockainy West, Co. Limerick
St. Mary's Well Holy well · Abbey Land, Co. Longford

Tober Muire Holy well · Cappoge, Co. Louth
A station was said to have been held on the 15th August each year and according to tradition its waters were supposed to have risen at midnight on this day (IFC Schools' Mss 669, 5).
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
Mary's Well Holy well · Ballygow (Shelburne By.), Co. Wexford
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
Canon Island Abbey Abbey or friary · Canon Island, Co. Clare
Inchicronan Priory Abbey or friary · Inchicronan Island, Co. Clare
Traditionally an early site, a church had been built by the 12th century which was granted to Clare Abbey (CL033-120----) by Donal Mor O'Brien in 1189.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
Church of St Anne Ancient church · Cork City, Co. Cork
Collegiate Church of St Mary, Youghal Ancient church · Youghal-Lands, Co. Cork
Dominican Priory Abbey or friary · Cork City, Co. Cork
St Mary Del Nar-St Michaels Church Ancient church · Cork City, Co. Cork
St Mary's Church Ancient church · Ballygibbon (Muskerry East By.), Co. Cork
Ballyboghil Church Ancient church · Ballyboghil, Co. Dublin
Gabriell Etheridge, clarke, is curate, who hath the small tythes, being worthe v libri per annum, for serving the cure.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
Burrow Church Ancient church · Burrow (Coolock By., Malahide Ed), Co. Dublin
Old St Mary's Church, Crumlin Ancient church · , Co. Dublin
St Andrew's Church, Dublin Ancient church · , Co. Dublin
St Mary's Abbey, Howth Ancient church · Howth, Co. Dublin
St. Mary's Abbey Abbey, Dublin City Abbey or friary · , Co. Dublin
Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church Abbey or friary · , Co. Dublin
After the suppression of the religious houses by the act of Henry VIII., the Carmelites, as well as all the other religious communities in or about the city of Dublin, seem to have settled in Cook-street, which street was from thence to about the middle of…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
Abbey of St. Mary de Portu Patrum, Annaghdown Abbey or friary · Eanach Dhúin, Co. Galway
Clontuskert Priory Abbey or friary · Abbeypark, Co. Galway
St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church Ancient church · Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.), Co. Galway
Legend has it that he rescued these from ruin by throwing three bags of money (shown on the seal to the right of the saint) in through their window.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
Tuam High Cross High cross · Townparks (2Nd Division - Tuam), Co. Galway
Abbeydorney Abbey Abbey or friary · Knockaunmore, Co. Kerry
Innisfallen Church, Oratories & Abbey Monastic site · Innisfallen, Co. Kerry
Late 12th/early 13th-century abbey of Canons Regular of St Augustine dedicated to St Mary on or near the site of an early medieval monastery reputedly founded in the 6th century AD by St Finan (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970; Calendar of Cashel after O'Donovan 1841).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
Churchtown Church Ancient church · Raheenadeeragh, Co. Kildare
St Mary's Church, Castlemartin Ancient church · Castlemartin, Co. Kildare
White Abbey Abbey or friary · Kildare, Co. Kildare
CIIC 32 (Ogham Stone Concept by RAS Macalister) Ogham stone · Gowran, Co. Kilkenny
St. Mary's Church Ancient church · Callan South, Co. Kilkenny
St. Mary's Church, Gowran Ancient church · Gowran, Co. Kilkenny
St. Mary's Church, St. Mary's Lane, Kilkenny Ancient church · Gardens (Kilkenny City By., St. Mary’S Par.), Co. Kilkenny
Rathkeale Abbey Abbey or friary · Abbeylands, Co. Limerick
The Urban Survey of Limerick recorded the following details about St. Mary's Augustinian Priory of Rathkeale (Bradley et. al. 1989, 222-4); 'This is said to have been founded by Gilbert Harvey in the early thirteenth century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 190).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
Abbeylara Cistercian Abbey Abbey or friary · Abbeylara, Co. Longford
Burrishoole Friary Abbey or friary · Carrowkeel (Burrishoole By., Burrishoole Par.), Co. Mayo
St. Mary's Abbey Abbey or friary · Blackfriary (2Nd Division), Co. Meath
St. Mary's Abbey, Duleek Ancient church · Commons (Duleek Lower By.), Co. Meath
Durrow Abbey Abbey or friary · Durrow Demesne, Co. Offaly
The present late 18th century C of I church (OF009-005013-) standing in the SE quadrant of the graveyard may have been built on the site of the Augustinian Abbey church which was founded in the 12th century on the site of the sixth century monastery reputedly…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
St Mary's Church Ancient church · Ballyboy (Ballyboy By.), Co. Offaly
Presence of early-christian cross-slab confirms local tradition that this church has its origins in the Early Christian period.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
Inchmacnerin Abbey Abbey or friary · Church Island, Co. Roscommon
Cahir Priory Abbey or friary · Caherabbey Upper, Co. Tipperary
Some of the sandstone windows in the chancel were altered in the 15th century with limestone inserts and an elaborately decorated E and N window were also added at this date, with an interlace pattern on the exterior of the E window.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
Old St. Mary's Church Ancient church · Burgagery-Lands West, Co. Tipperary
Saint Mary's Church Ancient church · Templemore Demesne, Co. Tipperary
St Mary's Medieval Parish Church Ancient church · Townparks (Caher Par.), Co. Tipperary
Old St Mary's Church Ancient church · Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
It was burned down by the Confederate Catholics in 1642 and according to local tradition a steeple was demolished by Cromwell.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
St Mary's Church Ancient church · Barradrum, Co. Westmeath
Dunbrody Abbey Abbey or friary · Dunbrody, Co. Wexford
Ferns Abbey Abbey or friary · Ferns Demesne, Co. Wexford
Ferns Round Tower Round tower · Ferns Demesne, Co. Wexford
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
St. Mary's Church, New Ross Ancient church · New Ross, Co. Wexford

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