10Jul-Photo Release – I put this trip aside for that day when we’d be burnt out and not want to go traipsing around very far from Minella. St. Patrick’s Well is in Marlfield, sort of a suburb of Clonmel, if not a part of it. It’s 15 minutes from the Hotel. It was exactly as I remembered it and the absolute most calming place on earth. Other than the trickle of the spring which one can only hear when standing next to the well itself. There’s no other sound but the birds and perhaps the breeze whispering through the trees that surround the area.
There is a volunteer caretaker, George, who attends to the area. Donna, under the umbrella, is talking with him while a neighbor drops in for some fresh tea water. George gave us a sample, enough for two cups, and told us which tea to use, too. 😊 YUM! (note: I was no more holy after the tea and was quite disappointed at that.)
Aside from the serenity of the meadow, the trickling water, and the raw beauty, folks also come here for devotion. If you look closely at the image of the outer wall of the property, you’ll see the marker for the second Station of the Cross. All twelve are spread along that wall. The Spring water drains off through the two openings under the stonework just beyond the chapel. The area isn’t large, you could walk the perimeter in a few minutes. We spent three hours here. Sigh!
10Jul-Photo Release
St Patrick’s Well, August 13, 2019
10Jul-Photo Release
Saint Patrick’s Well – a little history
St. Patrick’s Well
🏛️ Historical landmark
St. Patrick’s Well Click to open side panel for more information is one of Ireland’s largest and most revered holy wells, tucked away in a tranquil valley near Marlfield Click to open side panel for more information and Clonmel Click to open side panel for more information in County Tipperary. Combining early Christian archaeology, nature, and deep-rooted folklore, the site has been a place of pilgrimage for over a millennium.
History of the Well
- Ancient Origins: Like many of Ireland’s holy wells, this site likely began as a place of pre-Christian pagan worship centered around a natural spring, which was later adapted for Christian use. It is mentioned in the 10th-century Life of St. Declan, confirming its religious importance over a thousand years ago.
- Archaeological Features: At the center of the shallow pool stands an undecorated stone cross believed to date to the 8th century (making it one of the oldest visible monuments on the site). The water flows into the pool through two hollowed-out granite spouts, which historians believe are actually repurposed flumes from an early medieval horizontal watermill.
St Patrick’s Church Marlfield
📍 Church
- Medieval Connections: From the 12th to 16th centuries, the well belonged to the nearby Cistercian Inislounaght Abbey. The site also features the roofless ruin of a 15th- or 16th-century church, which served as a parish church and shares historical ties with the local St Patrick’s Church Marlfield.
- Pilgrimage and Restoration: Pilgrimages were officially recorded as early as 1619 when Pope Paul V granted a plenary indulgence to visitors. In the 1950s and 1960s, the site was significantly remodeled and a statue of St. Patrick was erected, funded in part by Sam Yorty, the Mayor of Los Angeles at the time, whose mother originally came from Clonmel.
Legends and Folklore
- St. Patrick’s Visit: Local legend asserts that St. Patrick stopped here in the 5th century. It is said that when he struck his staff into the ground to preach, the miraculous spring erupted from the earth. He supposedly used the valley to bathe and baptize local converts.
- Baptism of the King: A famous tale claims that St. Patrick baptized the King of Munster at this very well. During the ceremony, Patrick accidentally drove the sharp point of his crozier through the King’s foot. Believing the pain was a required part of the ritual, the King remained completely silent. When Patrick realized his mistake, he healed the wound and commended the King’s profound faith.
- Healing Waters: The water is famed for its curative properties, especially for treating sore eyes, sore lips, headaches, and chronic illnesses. National Folklore collections record miracles of crippled children tossing away their crutches and blind individuals regaining their sight after bathing in or drinking the well’s water.
- The Barking Curse: The well commands deep respect in local lore. One story tells of a man who mocked praying pilgrims and threw one of their dogs into the sacred water. As punishment for his disrespect, he was cursed to lose his power of speech, leaving him only able to bark like a dog for the rest of his life.
- The Water That Never Freezes: A long-standing belief is that the well’s water is so holy it never freezes over in winter. While scientifically attributed to the natural spring maintaining a constant underground temperature, it continues to add to the well’s miraculous reputation.
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