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Saint Columbkille's Well, also known as St Colombkille's Well or simply Columbkille's Well (Irish: Tobar Naomh Colmcille),[1][better source needed] is a holy well in Inistioge, County Kilkenny, dedicated to Saint Colomba. It is included in the Record of Monuments and Places as record number "KK032-017011-".[2]
The holy well is located above Hatchery Lane and accessible via a flight of steps from Hatchery Lane in Inistioge. An information panel at the start of Hatchery Lane states that it was the source of water for the monks in the Augustinian priory which was built in 1206.[citation needed]
One of its first descriptions was in John G. A. Prim's Nooks and Corners of the County Kilkenny (1848),[3] but it seems to be missing from Canon Carrigan's History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory (1905).[original research?]
Several architectural elements from the priory were recycled in the construction of the well house, such as a font (KK032-017017-)[4] and an architectural fragment (KK032-017018-).[5] There is also part of a pointed window arch built into the wall above the font. Further architectural elements from the priory can be found within the well house at the back wall (see 3D model).[clarification needed] There is also a D-shaped basin or trough lying in front of the font.
The feast day of Saint Columbkill, 9 June, has historically been celebrated at the well.[1][3]
Folklore
editThe holy well has several mentions in the Dúchas.ie "Schools' Collection". One accounts informs that the well is dedicated to Colm Cille, "Because he visited it one time and blessed it".[6] It goes on to state that all the residents of Hatchery Lane retrieve their water from it and describes a fish being in the well. This account tells of the healing powers of the water, and how the wells is decorated with candles and flowers each year.[6]
A second account, which confirms the fish living in the well and the domestic use of the water, tells of a local woman having been cured of her rheumatism in her finger by the healing powers of the water.[7][8]
A third account gives more information about the fish in saying that "it was in 1863 not long before it was blessed by another priest and a fish was put in it". According to this account, which also mentions the feast day of June 9, "Saint Columcille" visited the well several times.[9]
A fourth account specifies the fish to be a trout and describes the stone carvings as follows: "Saint Colmcilles head and an Angel is carved on a stone".[10]
Several accounts describe two trees growing next to the well which is a recurring motive at holy wells. The trees are often part of the annual pattern celebrated at the tree.
Two accounts mention the well having been blessed last by Father William Martin in 1863.[11][12]
Gallery
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Information board
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Video of the approach of the well and architectural details
References
edit- ^ a b Information board
- ^ "KK032-017011- : Ritual site - holy well". Historic Environment Viewer. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ a b Ó Dálaigh, Pádraig (2018). The holy wells of County Kilkenny in terms of documentary coverage, location, ritual practice and onomastic concept, vol. II. pp. 447, 269.
- ^ "KK032-017017- : Font". Historic Environment Viewer. National Monuments Service. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "KK032-017018- : Architectural fragment". Historic Environment Viewer. National Monuments Service. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Holy Wells". duchas.ie. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Holy Wells". duchas.ie. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Story". duchas.ie. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Story". duchas.ie. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Holy Wells". duchas.ie. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "History". duchas.ie. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Story". duchas.ie. Retrieved 3 July 2024.