School: Goirtín

Location:
Gorteen, Co. Galway
Teacher:
Máiréad Ní Dhubhthaigh
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0078, Page 237

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0078, Page 237

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  1. XML School: Goirtín
  2. XML Page 237
  3. XML “Holy Wells”
  4. XML “Holy Wells”

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  1. There is one holy well in the parish of Gurteen. It is in the village of Gortnalon in Walshe's field. It is called St. Kerril's well. People go to visit the well on the 13th June of every year. When the people reach the field, they take off their boots and do the stations in their bare feet. There are five crosses in the field and the people pray at each cross. The people can say any prayers they like, while they are doing the stations. There was a serpent in the well and he used to kill the stock on the people. They told St. Kerril and he killed him. The serpent went down through the bog and he split it and it is called "Idir dhá mhóin". He went down in a hole in Paddy Mc. Dermott's field in Clough and it is called "Poll na bpiast" The people drink the water out of the well and some people wash themselves with it. The people bring home a bottle of water with them.
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
  2. In Michael Dwyer's land in Kinreask in the parish of Ballymacward there is another holy well and it is called St. Mile's well. There is a pilgrimage to St. Mile's well on the 29th June. A man once tried to boil the water of St.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Michael Carr
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Gorteen, Co. Galway
    Informant
    Mrs T. Carr
    Gender
    Female
    Age
    45
    Address
    Gorteen, Co. Galway