Saint Ite's Well

On W side of graveyard (LI044-101002-). Circular well (diam. 0.44m; D 0.6m), opening framed at ground level by three stones carved to shape circular opening- there is no superstructure. Located 1.4m on W side of well are three stones set in ground: centre one is uncut block (L 0.4m; Wth 0.16m) on which pilgrims have cut latin cross; this is flanked by two moulded limestone blocks in the form of corbels with human faces; close to these is another limestone block carved with an ogee arch from a window light. The latter and the two corbelled heads are late-medieval in date and presumably come from the nearby church (LI044-101001-). According to Ó Danachair (1955, 211) rounds made here on 15th January, the feast of St Ita.

The following folklore was recorded from Raheenagh National School about St. Ita's Well; 'There is a holy well in the ground where her monastery was built and many people come and pray their on her feast day. There are many girls in the district called after the Saint. Her feast day falls on the 15th of January and is always left as a parish holiday. On the (day) women go to her ruined church and walk three times around her monastery saying the Rosary. One day when St Ita went out riding on a donkey toward Tournafulla. The people chased her ass when the as was running he stood on a rock and where the ass stood his track still remains there and the water that is in it is for curing sore eyes' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0493, Page 090; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4921978/4914986/4942720).

A second story collected in 1938 from Abbeyfeale West School recorded the following tradition; 'In Killeedy parish in Co. Limerick there is a holy well which is dedicated to St. Ita who is the patroness of west Limerick. It was there she built her monastry and the ruins is still to be seen. In this monastry she taught many an Irish scholar. It is of a round shape and is situated at the lower end of the graveyard. About ten yards away is a grotto to her. It is visited at all times during the year but on the 15th of January there is a large meeting held and crowds come streaming in from all parts of the county to honour her. When many are present they walk in a procession around the well.

It is in this manner that rounds are made. First they go from the well to the grotto and back again at the same time saying a rosary and when three rosaries are finished it is a custom to take a sip of the water. The peasants of this district say that people that have bad health drink the water and are often cured. The water is sometimes rubbed to sores but I have not heard of anyone being cured. Holy pictures are hung over it and medals and vases of flowers are placed on stones beside it. The well is about three feet deep and it is often cleaned out so as to keep the water perfect.

A certain woman took home some of the water to boil a few years ago but if she was trying since it would not boil' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0495, Pages 117-8; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4921989/4915780).