Saint Lachtain's Well, Toberlachtain or St. Lachtain's Well (Irish: Tobar Lachtain) is a holy well in Freshford, Co. Kilkenny. The patron saint is Lachtín mac Tarbín, a native of Cork. It is situated in the townland of Moat along the R693.
The holy well is a protected monument under the Sites and Monuments record no. KK013-025----.[1]
The holy well is enclosed by a quarter-circular wall with a gate to the Southwest. There are two stone crosses placed on top of the wall, one in the Southeastern corner, one on the Western wall. The name of the holy well is displayed on a bilingual limestone sign dating to the 2020s against a gatepost leading into a neighbouring farmyard. A simple bench can be found within the enclosure against the Eastern wall.[2]
The holy well pool itself is stone lined and covered in water lentils.
On the old Ordnance Survey maps (6inch 1st edition, 25inch and 6inch last edition), the holy well is not labelled in Gothic lettering against conventions for labelling historic sites and holy wells.
Gallery
edit-
Bilingual sign with names -
Cross on Western wall
Folklore
editAccording to locals, the water supposedly helps against sores on skin.[3] In the Schools' Collection, the cure of sore eyes is attributed to the well.[4]
The Schools' Collection tells of the origin of the well which sprang up to replace another one: "It is reputed to have been a holy well. It is said that a saint slew a monster here,[5] and that he was so exhausted & parched with thirst after the encounter that a well miraculously burst up. This well is called Tobar-Sochum or St Lochtain's Well and is a few hundred yards from Snesford (sic!) beside the road to Kilkenny."[6]
According to the Schools' Collection, patterns were helt until the 19th century.[7]
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ "Historic Environment Viewer (HEV)". Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ Personal survey and Sketchfab model
- ^ Personal conversation June 2024
- ^ "Local Cures". duchas.ie. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ This might refer to Tobernapeastia to the West of Freshford in the townland of the same name
- ^ "Local History of Townlands". duchas.ie. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ "Local History of Townlands". duchas.ie. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
