No photo yet - add one
Ritual site - holy well

St Brigid's Well

Holy well immediately next to a St Patrick's Well in Dromard, County Sligo, Ireland.

  • AccessNot confirmed
  • National MonumentNot recorded
  • DateNot stated
  • Folklore2 quotes
  • PhotoWanted
Dromard, Co. Sligo54.21004, -8.65812
Directions Map

Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer

At a glance

  • TypeRitual site - holy well
  • Recorded size 0.8m x 0.6m

What to look for

  • Steps down
  • Pattern day

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
Advertisement

History and description

Situated within a hollow at the base of a steep N-facing ridge are two adjoining holy wells dedicated to St. Patrick and St. Brigid respectively, within a small, square walled enclosure (dim. 11m). Patterns are still held here annually on June 29th.

Full archaeological record 177 words

Situated within a hollow at the base of a steep N-facing ridge are two adjoining holy wells dedicated to St. Patrick and St. Brigid respectively, within a small, square walled enclosure (dim. 11m). Patterns are still held here annually on June 29th. The larger well is dedicated to St. Patrick (SL019-151001-). Appended to its W side is this well, which according to tradition is dedicated to 'St. Brigid's'. It comprises a small subrectangular pool (dims. 0.8m x 0.6m) defined on S side by a semicircular stone wall and roofed by a massive slab (dims. 1.9m x 1.4m) known as 'St. Brigid's Flag' which bears numerous crudely inscribed crosses (SL019-151003-). A series of stone steps on the N side leads down to the water level. Built into the enclosure wall, a short distance SW of the wells, is a crucifixion plaque (SL019-151004-). Also within the enclosure is a plain rectangular stone altar (SL019-151005-). A third well, which was used by penitents for washing their feet before and after undertaking the patterns, is located 1.7m N of the enclosure.

Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Patrick F. O'Donovan · Updated 19 January 2011. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.

Folklore and traditions

Patterns are still held here annually on June 29th.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
Appended to its W side is this well, which according to tradition is dedicated to 'St. Brigid's'.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact

More holy wells nearby

Advertisement

Visitors' notes

Badges are opinions of visitors - not verified facts. One vote per badge and visitor; no account needed.

Best time to visit

What's missing on this page?

      Share a tip to find it

      Share a local tradition or story

      Suggest a correction

      Suggest the right map location

      Stand at the site and use your location, or type the coordinates.

      Report a duplicate page

      Ask a question

      Do not include personal data. See our privacy notice.

      Around St Brigid's Well

      Other heritage nearby

      Recorded within 5 km

      Walks and trails

      • Sligo WayLong Distance Waymarked Way · 78.6 km · nearest point 3.5 km
      • Killaspugbrone LoopWalking Trail · 7.2 km · nearest point 7.4 km
      • Queen Maeve Trail KnocknareaWalking Trail · 7.8 km · nearest point 7.5 km

      Outdoors, towns and places to stay

      Other attractions nearby

      What's on nearby

      My places: 0