Some of the folklore associated with different holy wells across Kilkenny

Holy wells are sacred places that are held dear by the local people who know them and visit them.

Every single holy well has its own story, stories associated with it, and its own significance to the people in its vicinity.

Unfortunately, a lot of lore associated with our wells now rests solely with previous generations.

Despite this, many of the stories and traditions associated with our holy wells have stood the test of time.

We can get a glimpse into some of these stories thanks, at least in part, to a collection of folklore (The Schools’ Collection) compiled by schoolchildren in the 1930s.

Below are some stories from people associated with a random assortment of various local holy wells:

St Senan’s Well

St Senan is the patron saint of the parish of Kilmacow.
In a boggy field at the back of my house there is a well known as St Senan’s Well.
It appears that one day St Senan was walking along a road which is now obliterated and he was being hunted by the English soldiers when he was shot dead.
He was buried where he died and a well sprang up just beside his grave.
Some old people believe that the waters of the holy well possess cures for diseases and other ailments of the body.
Recorded by Peter Hearn (Kilmacow)

Windgap

There is a holy well called St James’ Well in Mrs Davis’ field in Mealoughmore.
This field is called The Church Field because on St James’ feast day all the people of the locality used to do nine rounds of the well in their bare feet.
On one occasion some man was cutting hay in the field and when cutting around the well the reaper broke so hay was never cut in this field.
Recorded by Lizzie O’Shea

Kilbride (Callan)

A pattern was held on St Bridget’s Day until the beginning of the 19th Century.
It was attended by people for miles around in holiday attire.
The richer portion bring basketfuls of bread and butter (called machaine, the bread of lamentation) for distribution among the poor who in return were expected to pray for the donors’ deceased friends.
Other features of the celebration were the dressing of the graves, the weird chant of the death song by the mná caointe or keeners and the placing of the ‘craobh maigdionais’ or branch of virginity at the head of some lately deceased young maiden’s grave and the pilgrimage and prayers at St Brigid’s Holy Well.
Recorded by teacher Éamonn Ó Loinn

Danesfort

There is a very old, holy well in the townland of Sheastown.
It is called Saint Fiacra’s Well and is but a short distance from the River Nore.
There are a number of trees and bushes a few yards from the well and also a cairn of stones. Of recent date, a cross has been erected at the spot. A protecting wall surrounds the well.
An annual pattern is held there, on the last Sunday of July each year.
The rosary is recited and water from the well is distributed to the congregation by Catholic Boy Scouts.
An old tradition says that the well was used by St Fiacra when he lived as a hermit in the vicinity.
A short distance away there are imprints on a wall and locally, these are thought to be the imprints of St Fiacra’s toes.
Recorded by John Murphy

Ballavarra

In the townland of Ballavarra there is a holy well, which was blessed by St Laurence. It is in Doyle’s field.
No one was ever cured by its water, but it is said that it keeps away ailments.
When Saint Moling was going to Saint Mullins he passed by Ballavarra.
On his way he came to a spout, and he blessed it.
The spout is now known as Ballavarra spout.
It is beside the main road to Graignamanagh.
Recorded by Patrick Galavan

Jenkinstown

Trinity Well is a little well situated slightly off the main road to Castlecomer from Kilkenny. It is in the townland of Ballyrafton at the north end of Jenkinstown Wood.
Many stories are told of Trinity Well and this is how I heard of it. Near this well is a cave running right under Jenkinstown Wood. It is said that the friars used this cave for a retreat from the English soldiers. There is also an old church up there where the friars used to say mass.
A friar was pursued one day by soldiers and he ran into the cave and other soldiers followed him into it. He hid his gold chalice and other things in the well. He was bending down when a thorn stuck in his neck. Three drops of blood fell around the well. Three trees grew up where the blood fell and from that day to this it has been called The Well of the Holy Trinity or Trinity Well.
Recorded from Mrs Mary Delaney

Have you got stories or details on holy wells across Kilkenny?

An ambitious project is currently being undertaken to record the locations and folklore associated with holy wells across the entire county of Kilkenny.

If you have any stories or information of your own, you are encouraged to share it by emailing holywells.shanarc@gmail.com or by commenting on the Holy Wells of Kilkenny Facebook Page.