St. Kieran's Well


St.Kieran's well is in the townland of Clonagh. A pattern was held there on the 9th of September.(St.Kieran of Clonmacnoise)People still visit this well and leave small offerings at this well. Legends say that water from this well is a cure for sore eyes. And sometimes taken for domestic purposes. The well used to supply water to the monks at a nearby church there. There is an underground passage leading to the graveyard. Legends tell that clothes were washed at this well. It is said in the early 20th century one afternoon there was a lady seen at the well by three men who were working near the railway station in Ardagh. One man went to the spot where she stood, but she had disappeared. He searched every where for this lady but could not see her any where. When he arrived home that night after his days work he became very sick and on that week he passed away because people believed he interrupted the fairy in her visit to St Kierans well.



 

St Lukes Well

 

St Lukes Well is situated in the roman catholic parish of Ardagh. The well is located in the Cahermoyle House estate. There is no known devotions held at this well.

 

 

Lisnaculla Well

A legend surrounds Lisnaculla well. There is a story told about a man and his wife living close to the well. They were both in their 70's, and one day the elderly man decided to go out for a walk to the well. He met a little man there, the little man asked him would he like to make a wish, so he did. The old man wished to be a young boy again. The little man advised him to drink three sips of water from the well. For every sip the old man would be come ten years younger, thus the man's wish came true. He had a younger appearance and his wife could not recognise him when he arrived home. The only way the wife could recognise her husband was when he spoke to her and she knew it was her husbands voice. He explaind to her about the recent events and she decided about going to the well in hope that she would meet the small man. However, there was nobody there on the third day her husband went back to the well again and the little man appeared. He told him of his wife's situation and how she wanted to be young too. He told the man to come back the following day and to bring his wife, he also indicated for the man's wife to drink the water out of a can, and if she did her wish would come true.

The woman returned to the well and drank the water from the can, but she made a desperate mistake, she drank too much of the water and turned into a baby. Obviously when her husband found her in that condition he was in shock. The only thing he could do now was to take his wife home and put her in a cradle. From that day on the husband made several visit's to the well in hope to see the little man. On each visit to the well there was no sign he felt so ashamed he had nearly lost all hope, until one day totally unexpected the little man appeared. The little man asked him is there anything that he would like to wish for, so all the man wanted to do was for his wife and himself to be old again. At that point his wish was granted , the little man instructed that he bring some water from the well home and for his and himself to drink some. They both followed instructions proparly and returned to their original age. Both husband and wife were so happy they never wished to be young again.

 

St Molua's Well

St Molua is one of the patron saints of Ardagh, there is a well dedicated to him in his honour. It has been said that in older times that people used wash their clothes at this well. A woman washed clothes in the well and it dried up for three years. The parish priest of Ardagh brought the water back there again. White thorn trees grow longside the well, the water remains fresh there for many years.It has been said that years ago that St. Patrick when passing through Ardagh he had put a curse on the well, and who ever would drink from the well would die. St. Molua changed the curse and to this day people visit the well on the feast day on the 4th of August.

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Ardagh Graveyard

The late Bishop de Lacey died in Limerick in 1759. By his own wishes he wanted to be buried in the tomb of his Ancestors in Ardagh. It is also recorded that in 1774 Dr. John de Lacey P.P. in Ballingarry. A cousin of Bishop de Lacey is laid to rest at the cemetry at the family vault. Also John Bourke, a leading wealthy merchant. He was M.P. for Askeaton in the parliament of James the second . He died in 1702 and is buried beside Bishop Lacy's grave in Ardagh.

 

Rathronan Graveyard

There is a passage going into Rathronan graveyard. This is a private graveyard and all the old gentry are buried there. Smith O' Brien who is famous for his part in the 1848 Rebellion is also buried at Rathronan graveyard.

 

Rathronan Church

 

 

Inscription on O'Brien Mausoleum:

Here lies Edward William, eldest son of William Smith O'Brien, a just man, a lover of his people.
Born 24 January 1837 Died 21 January 1909
William Smith O'Brien
Born 17 October 1803 Died June 1864
Lucy Caroline O'Brien
Born 23 September 1811 Died 13 June 1861
The O'Brien Mausoleum

 

The Ballyine Mass Rock

 

In Ballyine, there was a mass rock built in Penal times,where people celebrated mass.

Each year mass is still celebrated on the last Sunday of July.