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
- 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
Ó Danachair (1955, 216) recorded the following details about the holy well; "St Bridget's Well" on 1840 map. Tradition in the district is unanimous in calling this "St Colman's Well" and not "St Bridget's Well".
Full archaeological record 158 words
Ó Danachair (1955, 216) recorded the following details about the holy well; "St Bridget's Well" on 1840 map. Tradition in the district is unanimous in calling this "St Colman's Well" and not "St Bridget's Well". OSL gives "Tobar Colmain, S. Colman's Well", but OSNB gives "St Bridget's Holy Well". No second well is known in tradition. The well has a good spring of clear water. Formerly a large tree stood over the well, but this has been felled in recent years, and the water piped away to provide drinking water for cattle. All devotion has ceased, although the well was formerly very popular. The water cured eye ailments, and rags were left on the tree as offerings.
The Ordnance Survey Letters recorded that this well was 'called Tobar Cholmáin, Saint Colman's Well, which is frequented on Saturday evening, particularly by persons labouring under diseases that effect the eye. Two ash trees stand over it' (OSL Kilfrush Parish, 93).
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Caimin O'Brien · Updated 17 June 2019. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
The water cured eye ailments, and rags were left on the tree as offerings.
More holy wells nearby
St. Mary's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Knockainy West · Limerick · 3.6 km away
Deborah's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballynahinch · Limerick · 4.6 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballinvana · Limerick · 4.6 km away
St. Ailbe's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Emly · Tipperary · 4.9 km away
Tobergobinet
Ritual site - holy well · Bohercarron · Limerick · 6.3 km away
St Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballinlough · Limerick · 6.9 km away
Visitors' notes
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Around St Bridget's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Hospital ChurchAbbey or friary · 2.3 km
- DunglaraHillfort · 7.8 km
- Ballygrennan CastleCastle · 8.0 km
- Cush EarthworksRingfort · 8.2 km
- DuntryleagueMegalithic tomb · 8.6 km
- Carraig AilleRingfort · 9.1 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 29 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 13 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 12 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 10 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 promontory fortArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 hillfortArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 high crossArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 stone circleArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Kilmallock Cycle Hub Loop 3Road Cycling Trail · 61.5 km · nearest point 3.7 km
- Knockcarron - Lakelly LoopWalking Trail · 3.4 km · nearest point 3.7 km
- Knockcarron - Golden Mile LoopWalking Trail · 2.6 km · nearest point 5.5 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- EmlyWalled towns · 4.9 km
- KilmallockWalled towns · 12 km
Other attractions nearby
- St John’s Church KnockaineyHistoric Houses and Castle · 3.7 km
- The Thomas Fitzgerald CentreMuseums and Attraction · 9.0 km
- Lough GurMuseums and Attraction · 10.0 km
- Kilfinane Outdoor Education CentreWalking · 11 km