School: Freshford (C.) (roll number 797)
- Location:
- Freshford, Co. Kilkenny
- Teacher: Síle Ní Mheachair
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0866, Page 351
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- XML School: Freshford (C.)
- XML Page 351
- XML “Holy Wells”
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- There are only two holy wells in Freshford, Tobar na Péiste or the well of the serpent and Tobar lacrín or St. Lactan's well.
The well of the serpent is situated in a field beside the Kilrush Road. It is covered up now as it supplies Freshford with water. There is a story told about a saint and a serpent who fought beside where the well now is. The saint who was very thirsty, was not gaining on the serpent so he prayed and a well sprang up. The saint drank some of it and eventually conquered the serpent.
St. Lactan's well was called after saint Lactan who is the patron saint of Freshford. It was supposed long ago that the well would cure any cut or injury if the part afficted were dipped into the water and the sign of the cross made three times on the injured part. There is no fish in the well but there is a bush growing behind it. It is situated(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Rita Kennedy
- Gender
- Female
- Age
- 16
- Address
- Freshford, Co. Kilkenny
- Informant
- Edward Kennedy
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 16
- Occupation
- Labourer
- Address
- Freshford, Co. Kilkenny
