Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
What to look for
- Rag tree
- Offerings left
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Can you visit?
- No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
- Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
History and description
To SE of Castle Curious (14947), at foot of sycamore tree. Oval depression with low wall to S; well opens to E to allow egress of water.
Full archaeological record 131 words
To SE of Castle Curious (14947), at foot of sycamore tree. Oval depression with low wall to S; well opens to E to allow egress of water. Collapsing corrugated iron shelter to NNE holds pictures, votive offerings and cups; rags tied to tree and nearby bush; still in holy. According to Byrne (1902, 88), originally dedicated to St Branait, 'a sister to Cranith of Clenor and Nicholas of Monanimy'. Noted for curing limbs (O'Reilly 1987, 130) and pilgrims who were cured were expected to leave something at well; once a number of 'old fashioned boots were found in a hollow in the tree'; woman who paid rounds there failed to carry water from well as bottle broke on two occasions. (see also photograph in Grove White 1905-25, vol. 4, opp. 309)
References
- Images provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 14 January 2009 · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
Collapsing corrugated iron shelter to NNE holds pictures, votive offerings and cups; rags tied to tree and nearby bush; still in holy.
Noted for curing limbs (O'Reilly 1987, 130) and pilgrims who were cured were expected to leave something at well; once a number of 'old fashioned boots were found in a hollow in the tree'; woman who paid rounds there failed to carry water from well as bottle broke on two occasions.
More holy wells nearby
St Catherine's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballydeloughy · Cork · 9.0 km away
St Winifred's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Knockanare (Orrery And Kilmore By.) · Cork · 10 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Waterhouse · Cork · 12 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Spaglen · Cork · 13 km away
St Ann's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Sunville Upper · Limerick · 14 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballyshanedehey · Limerick · 15 km away
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Around St Bernard's Well
Other heritage nearby
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Recorded within 5 km
- 71 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 9 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
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