- Saint Cooey’s Well (Tobar Naomh Cua), Portaferry: Pattern day: Unknown, possibly summer months like Lughnasa (August 1). Near Portaferry, this well is dedicated to Saint Cua, a local saint. Its waters, containing sodium chloride, are famed for curing eye infections, common in smoky turf-fire homes. Pilgrims performed rounds and left clooties on nearby trees. Its coastal location and natural healing properties make it one of Down’s better-known wells, though less active today. Portaferry, Co. Down.
- Struell Wells, Downpatrick: Pattern day: June 24 (Saint John the Baptist’s Day), historically significant. A complex of four wells near Downpatrick, associated with Saint Patrick, who is said to have bathed here. Includes a drinking well, eye well, and bathhouses, used for healing ailments like sores and fertility issues. Pilgrims performed rounds and bathed in the waters, leaving offerings. Its elaborate stone structures and historical prominence make it a key site, though patterns have waned. Struell, near Downpatrick, Co. Down.
- Saint Patrick’s Well, Saul: Pattern day: March 17 (Saint Patrick’s Day), with local devotions. Near Saul, where Saint Patrick landed in 432 AD, this well is linked to his baptisms. Known for general healing, pilgrims performed rounds, recited prayers, and left tokens like rosaries. Its proximity to Saul Church and historical significance keep it revered, though it’s quieter now. The well’s clear waters are still visited by locals. Saul, near Downpatrick, Co. Down.
- Saint Olcan’s Well, Cranfield: Pattern day: February 20 (Saint Olcan’s Day), though patterns are rare. Near Cranfield, this well is dedicated to Saint Olcan, a disciple of Saint Patrick. Used for healing, particularly skin ailments, pilgrims left votive offerings like cloths or coins. Its private, rural setting on private land emphasizes its personal significance, with some communities preferring to keep it unpublicized to preserve its sanctity. Cranfield, near Kilkeel, Co. Down.
- Tobar na Súl, Near Newcastle: Pattern day: Unknown, possibly tied to summer gatherings. Known as the “Eye Well,” this well near Newcastle was famed for curing eye ailments. Pilgrims bathed their eyes with the water and tied clooties to nearby bushes, believing ailments would fade as the rags decayed. Its coastal location in the Mourne Mountains adds to its serene appeal, though it’s now less visited. Near Newcastle, Co. Down.
- Saint Brigid’s Well, Near Newry: Pattern day: February 1 (Saint Brigid’s Day), though active patterns are scarce. Dedicated to Saint Brigid, this well near Newry was used for healing headaches and fertility issues. Pilgrims performed sunwise rounds (deiseal), recited the Rosary, and left ribbons or rosaries on a sacred tree. Its rural setting reflects Brigid’s nurturing legacy, but it’s now largely neglected. Near Newry, Co. Down.
- Tobar na nGealt, Near Bangor: Pattern day: Unknown, possibly linked to local saint’s days or summer festivals. The “Well of the Insane” near Bangor was believed to cure mental illnesses, tied to ancient Otherworldly beliefs. Pilgrims performed rounds, recited prayers, and left clooties, hoping ailments would transfer to the cloth. Its coastal proximity and specialized healing focus keep it obscure but significant. Near Bangor, Co. Down.
- Saint Colman’s Well, Near Warrenpoint: Pattern day: November 24 (Saint Colman’s Day), though patterns are poorly documented. Linked to Saint Colman, this well near Warrenpoint was used for general healing, particularly stomach ailments. Pilgrims performed rounds and left offerings like medals or rags on a nearby tree. Its quiet, rural setting near Carlingford Lough preserves its spiritual aura, though it’s less frequented today. Near Warrenpoint, Co. Down.
- Our Lady’s Well, Near Rostrevor: Pattern day: August 15 (Feast of the Assumption), with possible small devotions. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, this well near Rostrevor was used for spiritual blessings and women’s health. Pilgrims performed rounds, recited prayers, and left candles or ribbons. Its Marian devotion and scenic Mourne setting reflect strong Catholic traditions, though it’s now less active. Near Rostrevor, Co. Down.
- Saint John’s Well, Near Ardglass: Pattern day: June 24 (Saint John’s Day), historically observed. Dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, this well near Ardglass was used for healing, particularly children’s ailments. Pilgrims performed rounds, and used the water for purification, leaving coins or small tokens like coins. Its coastal location and historical baptismal role make it significant, though it’s now less maintained. Near Ardglass, Co. Down.
- Tobar na Plaighe, Near Hilltown: Pattern day: Unknown, possibly linked to plague-related rituals. The “Well of the Plague” near Hill was visited during disease outbreaks for protection or healing. Pilgrims performed rounds, and left clouties, believing the water held curative powers. Its remote Mourne location and historical context make it a poignant site, though now obscure. Near Hilltown, Co. Down.
- Saint Bronagh’s Well, Near Rathfriland: Pattern day: September 2 (Saint Bronagh’s Day), though patterns are rare. Dedicated to Saint Bronagh, a 6th-century local saint, this well near Rathfriland was used for healing, particularly respiratory issues. Pilgrims performed rounds, and left offerings like cloth or rosaries. Its association with the a local saint and the well’s rural setting, often near a churchyard, enhance its historical charm, though it’s largely forgotten. Near Rathfriland, Co. Down.
Holy Wells
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Sacred Places
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Down:
Ireland’s county Down offers a mix of historic sites and scenic landscapes, with Downpatrick’s Saint Patrick Centre and cathedral providing insights into Ireland’s patron saint. The Mourne Mountains offer hiking trails with sweeping views, while Strangford Lough provides kayaking and wildlife spotting. Other attractions include the historic Tollymore Forest Park. Down is Ireland’s 12th largest county by size (2,447 square km) and fourth largest by population (553,261). Population peaked at 361,446 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 204,303, in 1911. In terms of hospitality, Down is Ireland’s 18th most visited tourist county with around 127,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – New – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
