The well lies along the Moher Road in an area set aside for the well house and the way up to the graveyard above. This could be Clare’s most celebrated holy well. The well house is crowded with remembrance cards, offerings, little statues, rosary beads – all brought in thanksgiving or as part of a request to the well and the saint.

There are some low ash trees around the holy well onto which rag-cloths, or ‘cloothies’, have been fixed. These rag cloths are often left as symbols of concern or illness, which are given into the care of the saint.

The connection between Saint Brigid (sometimes spelled Bridgit's) and the Blessed Virgin Mary at Saint Brigid’s Well is referenced as early as 1814, when it was written that:

 ‘The tradition about this saint is that she led the Virgin Mary to the place of purification on the 2nd of February, and that the 1st of February was dedicated to herself on that account.’

It is said that Saint Brigid stopped at the site where the well now stands while travelling to Connacht in her chariot.

Source: County Clare Heritage Office

The well has been a regular stop on The Pub Runners Musical Tours of Ireland. Folks on the tour are asked to write down the name of a family member or friend who has passed and write a brief comment. After the names are all read, The Pub Runners sing “Parting Glass” and the entire group dinks a shot of Irish whiskey as a salute.

This is just one of the great highlights of our Musical Tour of Ireland. There were many more. If you’d like to join us on our next tour, click HERE for more information.

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