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Home arrow Sections arrow History arrow In the Footsteps of St. Finbarre (Part 98) - At the Borders of Memory
In the Footsteps of St. Finbarre (Part 98) - At the Borders of Memory E-mail
Written by Staff Reporter   
Thursday, 10 January 2008
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In the Footsteps of St. Finbarre (Part 98) - At the Borders of Memory
Page 2

Timothy Kelleher's notes from the 1938 interview with his father, Edmond that many cures are said to have taken place at the well; "Cripples came to be cured went away leaving their crutches after them for they needed them no longer". The construction date for Sunday's Well is unknown. P.J. Harnett, in 1947 in the Journal of the Cork Historical Society notes that there were two wells at one time, the former in the townland of Agharinagh and the latter, 20 yards to the east, in the townland of Magoola. Both were visited jointly by P.J.

A horizontal flagstone covers Sunday's Well. Above this, supported by two stones on edge, is a second slab, and the intervening space contains the customary religious objects found near holy wells. P.J. noted that Lady's Well was also almost sealed by a large flagstone. He only noted a few faded flowers and ferns placed on top of the covering stone. Rounds were made at both wells and were paid on three successive Sundays. The Rosary was recited first at Sunday's Well and a circuit of the well is made after each decade. The formula was repeated at Lady's Well. Lady's Well no longer exists and is likely to be overgrown with top soil.

Last week, we examined a stone row in Agharinagh townland, Dripsey and posed a number of question regarding its meaning. We can also apply those to the Sunday's Well. Like the stone row, the holy wells as monuments after their construction would have grown in stature amongst the mindsets of the local residents. Particular places become very important landmarks in the landscape that links the movement of individuals or communities. Myths also enable a community to establish a sense of belonging within a landscape. Through such mediums, People develop an attachment to people and place creating a sense of place and identity. A place becomes a home. That transformation is important in today's world, as it was when Agharinagh Holy Well was constructed.

To be continued…


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