South of Rathkeale, in the townland of Ballyallinan, there's a small hidden enclosure with a holy well and the ruins of an old church.
St. Bernard's holy well is also known with the names of St. Beinid's holy well or St. Benedict's holy well. The well is a large pool of cloudy water surrounded by some ash trees. The water in the well comes from underground springs which give a visible bubbling. According to a local lore, this well never dries up, even in the hottest of summers. According to the tradition, the water of this well can cure sore eyes, rheumatism and lameness.
A railing surrounds the well, with a series of stone steps in the south (180°) side. On the day of our visit the water was so high that the railing was partly submerged.
The church is about 40 metres northeast from the well.
|