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Ritual site - holy well

St. Catherine's Well

Tobar Naomh Caitríona

Historic holy well in Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland.

  • AccessNot confirmed
  • National MonumentNot recorded
  • DateNot stated
  • Folklore2 quotes
  • PhotoWanted
Co. Dublin53.37019, -6.26066
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Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer

At a glance

  • TypeRitual site - holy well
  • Condition (as surveyed)Gone: no visible trace

What to look for

  • 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
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History and description

Covered site of St. Catherine's Well located on the main walk through Griffith Park, c. 70m N of the footbridge across the Tolka. This well was formerly within an enclosed yard of a house at Millbourne Avenue.

Full archaeological record 215 words

Covered site of St. Catherine's Well located on the main walk through Griffith Park, c. 70m N of the footbridge across the Tolka. This well was formerly within an enclosed yard of a house at Millbourne Avenue. It was a natural spring under the kitchen floor and led by a short culvert to the outside where it was accessible under a pointed arched superstructure. The water was used to cure sore eyes and toothache (Anon. 1928, 159-161; Ó Danachair 1958, 233). This house was demolished and the well is preserved in an ornamental shrubbery.

St. Catherine's Well was described in 1928 as follows; 'in parish of Clonturk, townland of Drishogue, lies on the north bank of the river Tolka. Until recently it was enclosed in Millbourne Avenue, being supplied from a spring that rose under the kitchen floor of the house and was led by a sort of culvert to the outside, where it was accessible under a rude pointed arch. The house has now been demolished, but the municipal authorities have been careful to preserve the well with its covering in an ornamental shrubbery. It has been in traditional repute for the cure of sore eyes, toothache and chincough; but has had no annual celebration or pattern day within living memory' (anon. 1928, 159-60).

References

  • Date of revised upload: 18 April 2023

Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Geraldine Stout. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.

Folklore and traditions

The water was used to cure sore eyes and toothache (Anon. 1928, 159-161; Ó Danachair 1958, 233).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
It has been in traditional repute for the cure of sore eyes, toothache and chincough; but has had no annual celebration or pattern day within living memory' (anon. 1928, 159-60).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact

More holy wells nearby

Also recorded nearby

Named sites within 5 km with only a short entry in the Archaeological Survey.

  • St. Ann's Church, Dawson StreetChurch · 3.3 km · official record

    St. Anne's Church, Dawson Street is post-1700 AD.

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      Around St. Catherine's Well

      Other heritage nearby

      Recorded within 5 km

      Walks and trails

      • Royal Canal Greenway - Drumcondra - Ashtown - CastleknockGreenway · 8.9 km · nearest point 0.9 km
      • Royal Canal Greenway - Drumcondra - Ashtown - CastleknockGreenway · 8.9 km · nearest point 0.9 km
      • Royal Canal Greenway Cycling TrailGreenway · 121.4 km · nearest point 2.5 km

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