Survey underway on Roscommon's holy wells

Roscommon County Council's heritage section is asking people to help document holy wells in the county.

Roscommon Holy Wells Project aims to complete a survey of the holy wells in Roscommon - to promote awareness, knowledge and understanding of this cultural and built heritage resource and also promote heritage best practice in relation to researching and undertaking works.

“Holy wells are sites of heritage, cultural and religious interest and significance. The traditions, oral heritage and customs surrounding holy wells is a very important aspect of our intangible cultural heritage. It is important to collect and collate the customs and traditions relating to our holy wells before this information before it is lost,” a council spokesperson said.

Roscommon Holy Wells Project is being delivered by Tamlyn McHugh of Fadó Archaeology as an action of County Roscommon Heritage Plan, funded by the Heritage Council and Roscommon County Council.

At present, 79 holy wells are listed on the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) for County Roscommon.

By taking part in a short online survey, you will help us to record these unique and treasured places, which are an important part of Roscommon’s heritage. Any information, no matter how small is valuable. The information will be compiled in a database held by Roscommon County Council Heritage Office and will be available to the public.

Take the online survey here

Survey closing date, September 30