Welcome to Holywell

The hamlet of Holywell takes its name from the nearby holy well dedicated to St Patrick. The origins of the original church are unknown, although there is an oral tradition that it was dedicated to St. Ultan, dating it to the 9th or early 10th century. As Dorothy Lowry Corry noted in 1935, it does not appear on maps relating to the Plantation period. She believed it to date to the 13th century. At present the ruins are those of a small medieval church with a lancet window. An interesting feature of the church are the wall cavities (aumbries). Two cavities in the east end of the church were used for holding church vessels, a cavity in the west wall was for the storage of vestments. 

In the summer of 1930 Canon McKenna and Dorothy Lowry Corry drew attention to the poor condition of the church building, ensuring partial work in preserving it. The church is at the centre of a number of monuments with a holy well and penitential stones. There is a bullaun stone in the graveyard and a stone cross. “The Market Cross” is a small plain Latin cross made from local sandstone, dating to the 18th century. It is said to originally have been in the village of Holywell and used as a site for sealing deals.  

Across the road from the church is the Holywell proper. The well is a large shallow pool; it is known as “Dabhach Phádraig” or Patrick’s Tub. The Register of Clogher states that the well of spring water sprang up at the prayer of St. Sinell. The well is noted for its healing qualities, particularly of nervous disorders. Every year penitential stations were performed here from the last Saturday in July until August 15th. Pilgrims would tie rags on the bushes near to the holy well and on the ivy twigs in the church. Prayers were said at two points marked by large boulders, or station stones. 

Holy wells hold a sacred place in Ireland and grace our ancient landscape. These wells are rich in folklore; often with mystical stories of how they were created. They are steeped in long held beliefs and traditions underlying many religious and spiritual practices, some predating Christianity. Holy Wells have curative powers, some for specific ailments. The best time to seek a cure was at midnight on the saint’s feast day, when the water was at its most powerful. The choice of location for many early monastic sites may have been influenced by the presence of a venerated well, easing the transition from Paganism to Christianity by providing continuity of place for worship. There are 3000 Holy Wells in Ireland, many with active devotions taking place.