This holy well is right outside Mullagh, on the R194 towards west.
The well also marks the birthplace of St. Kilian. He was born in 640 AD.
He was a member of the Cailenga family who ruled the area of Eastern Cavan and North Meath. He was educated at the Ross Alithir (now Ross Carbery) and founded a monastery in Kilmachillogue in county Kerry from where he started his pilgrimage to central Europe until he arrived in Würzburg, in Germany, in 686. Three years later he was martyred. His feast day is July 8th.
The well is nearly dry and the little water still present in the basin is rank and uninviting. Above the well there's a stone statue of St. Kilian in the act of blessing. Behind him is a round sculpture that reminds me of a snail shell. There's a U-shaped enclosure around the well with the aperture facing northwest (315°).
We came here for the first time on September 9th, 2003.
|